Kilo Lani or Charting the Stars

Kilo Lani or Charting the Stars. . , A Celestial Map, Ke 'Apapalani o Manokalanipa is a paepae (platform) situated just outside of the heiau complex of Kanei'olouma. It is a memorial of the ingenuity of the ancestral people of Kaua'i who understood the movements of celestial bodies, especially in relation to time and seasons that mark the beginning and end of important cultural and sacred events and festivities For centuries, the Hawaiian people have related celestial events to those happening on earth, and this knowledge helped frame traditional Hawaiian culture and practices. , On the paepae are four ki'i (tiki) that are sutuated to mark the path of celestial bodies, primarily the Sun and navigating stars. In relation to the winter and summer solstices. The four ki'i are, by name, as follows: , Polohiwa a Kane (facing east) , Polohiwa a Kanaloa (facing west) , Lonohiwa (facing north) , Kukulu a Kahiki (facing south), The movement of the Sun, The most northerly latitude of the Sun's overhead location is the Tropic of Cancer (Polohiwa a Kane) at approximately 23" 26' north latitude and the corresponding southerly latitude overhead location is the Tropic of Capricorn (Polohiwa a Kanaloa) at 23" 26' south latitude. Much of the Polynesian area of interest lies in the latitudes between the two tropic lines. , The passage of the Sun directly overhead is considered by many to be a significant celestial event. The concept of having shadow lines marked in such a way at this time allows those visiting at Ke 'Apapalani o Manokalanipo (the Manokalanipo Observatory) to direct their attention toward a kindred Polynesian Island group in the South Pacific and simultaneously participate in celebration of their celestial event - the Sun's rising directly overhead. As a tool for navigation, this paepae attempts to demonstrate the yearly movement of the sun and relate it to a map of a portion of greater Polynesia. , On July 20, 2013, four 16-foot tall ki'i were installed on the paepae to represent the four pillars upholding the celestial sphere, according to Hawaiian tradition. To the northeast is the ki'i Polohiwa a Kane. Indicating the alignment of the summer solstice (June 21) sunrise. To the southeast is the ki'i, Kukuluokahiki, indicating the alignment of the winter solstice (December 21) sunrise. To the southwest is the ki'i, Polohiwa a Kanaloa, indicating the alignment of the winter solstice (December 21) sunset. TO the northwest is the ki'i, Lonohiwa, indicating the alignment of the summer solstice sunset. , Celebrating Our Culture, On July 19, 2013, a ceremony was held to erect the four ki'i on the paepae of Ke 'Apapalani o Manokalanipo. In the ceremony, a name chant or mele inoa, to each of the four introducing their respective names. The mele inoa was composed by Kaua'a native, Keao NeSmith. , Dancing Our Traditions, The halau hula (hula school) Halau ka Lei Mokihana a Leina'ala of Kalaheo, Kaua'i participated in the Merrie Monarch Festival, the largest and most prestigious hula festival of its kind, in Hilo, Hawai'i in April of 2014. Through their hula and mele ali (chant), Halau ka Lei Mokihana o Leina'ala honored Kanei'olouma. , The Sacred Dark CLoud of Kane, The sacred dark cloud of Kane , The sacred purplish dark cloud of Kane , The coral head that grows into an island of Kanaloa , The protruding rock of the gathering of the chiefs at Nukamai , Thundering and cracking at Polapola , Residing in the gentle swaying of the island , Your leaf, your budding leaf, your cloud, your tender leaf , Uour sacred chief, Manokalanipo , A name for Kane., The Cloud of Polohiwa a Kanaloa Appears, Night, it is night, the waves crash over and over , The large, massive waves crash , Closing in with the night, the night ushers in , The coral head that grows into an island of Kanaloa , The protruding rock of the gathering of the chiefs at Nukumai, In the dark cloud of Kanaloa and the others , Floating on the breast of the ocean , Reaching the land here , Here you shall stand , It is seen, it is seen, wear this lei for you, You are Polohiwa a Kanaloal, The Cloud of Lonohiwa Appears, The point annointed in cocomut water belongs to Lono , Where the sacred pig of Kane is sacrificed , The sacred black pig along with the black 'awa of Lono, Lono, here is your young chief , Your leaf, your budding leaf, your cloud, your tender leaf, Your sacred chief, Manokalanipo , May there be countless nights , Let the pahu, Hiwakamau, be heard , The sea of Kane is darkened at night , The sea of Kanaloa carries it , let it be seen, You are Lonohiwai, The Cloud of Kukuluokahiki Appears, The sacred borders of Kujuluokahiki have been trampled , The distant land, the island of Newa'ula , There is where you find the dear one who clings to you , Clinging to you despite the beating of the ka'upu bird, Making a cracking noise in the sky, gently rustling on earht , Kane tows the island of Hi'oakaikalani , The fire that burns is that of Pele at Kilauea , Thundering and cracking at Polapola , Residing in the gentle swaying of the island , The pillars of Kahiki fall , The islands come together, You are Kukuluokahikil