Ka Luakālai, Luahoana, Luakālailani
(The rainbow around the sun or moon)
Andrews: s. See LUAHOANA. A halo around the sun or moon in cloudy or hazy weather.
Parker: A halo around the sun or moon in cloudy or hazy weather. Syn: Luahoana.
Signs and omens
This is the type of rainbow that is called by us a Luakālai and some other words, a Luahoano, and a Luakālai (Nāwahī, 1893). This type of beautiful rainbow is often seen in Hawaiʻi. It can be a sign or omen for a variety of things as described below:
Photo by: Hoaloha Westcott
Photo by: Hoaloha Westcott
As for the Luakālai, it was called a full rainbow circle, because, it is only the time it encircles fully. Since, the fine misty particles are suspending in the air, between the sun and us (Nāwahī).
According to the legends This type of rainbow appears on 3 different occasions in the 4 legends analyzed in this study. It represents 2 different signs/omens as shown in the table to the right.
When does it appear
According to Nāwahī, It is the rainbow circle that hangs in the firmament of the heavens at the time that the sun is hanging at our meridian. (Nāwahī, 1893).
Photo by: Hoaloha Westcott