Ancestral gods or aumakua were important figures in traditional Hawaiian religion and culture. Aumakua could take the form of various animals or natural objects and watched over and communicated with living family members. Hawaiians had a reciprocal relationship with their aumakua, who would offer guidance and protection in exchange for respect and care from descendants. Communication occurred through dreams, visions, or signs from the aumakua, representing a link between the human and divine realms. While practices vary between families, aumakua continue to hold cultural significance for many Native Hawaiians.

1. `AUMAKUA
(singular)
`AUMĀKUA(
plural)

2. `Aumakua
• 1. nvt. Family or personal gods, deified ancestors who might
assume the shape of sharks (all islands except Kauaʻi), owls
(as at Mānoa, O'ahu and Kaʻū and Puna, Hawaiʻi), hawks
(Hawaiʻi), ʻelepaio, ʻiwi, mudhens, octopuses, eels, mice, rats,
dogs, caterpillars, rocks, cowries, clouds, or plants. A
symbiotic relationship existed; mortals did not harm or eat
ʻaumākua (they fed sharks), and ʻaumākua warned and
reprimanded mortals in dreams, visions, and calls. (Beckwith,
1970, pp. 124–43, 559; Nānā 38.) Fig.., a trustworthy person.

3. ORIGINS OF `AUMĀ KUA
• One of the first ways `aumakua were said to
originate was by the mating of akua and
kanaka
• When a child was born unto this union, the
akua became an ancestor to a human line
• He took on a dual role and became an
`aumakua to his descendants

4. `ŌLELO NO`EAU
• `Ano lani, `ano honua
A heavenly nature, an earthly nature
Said of some `aumakua who make themselves
visible to loved ones by assuming an earthlly
form, such as fish, fowl or animal, yet retain
the nature of a god.

5. TRADITIONAL FORMS OF
`AUMĀ KUA
• Fishes
• Birds
• Other animals
• Plant life
• Rocks

6. MANŌ: Shark

7. HONU: Turtle

8. PUHI: Eel

9. PUEO: Owl

10. `ALAE: Mudhen

11. RELATIONSHIP WITH
`AUMĀ KUA
• `Aumākua are our link to Pō
• `Aumākua are `ohana
• Personal connection between kanaka and nā
akua
• Reciprocal relationship

12. COMMUNICATION WITH
`AUMĀ KUA
• Communicate in different ways
– Dreams
– Speak directly to their relatives
– Sign or omen

13. NĀ `AUMĀ KUA
Nā `Aumākua mai ka lā hiki a ka lā kau
Mai ka ho`oku`i a ka hālāwai
Nā `Aumākua iā Kahina kua iā Kahina alo
Iā ka`a `ākau i ka lani
`O Kiha i ka lani
`Owē i ka lani
Nūnulu i ka lani, kāholo i ka lani
Eia nā pulapula ` oukou `o _____
E mālama `oukou iā mākou
E ulu i ka lani, e ulu i ka honua
E ulu i ka pae `āina o Hawai`i
E hō mai i ka `ike
E hō mai i ka ikaika
E hō mai i ke akamai
E hō mai i ka maopopo pono
E hō mai i ka `ike pāpālua
E hō mai i ka mana

14. NĀ `AUMĀ KUA: TRANSLATION
Ancestors from the rising to the setting sun
From the zenith to the horizon
Ancestors who stand at our back and front
You who stand at our right hand
A breathing in the heavens
An utterance in the heavens
A clear, ringing voice in the heavens
A voice reverberating in the heavens
Here are your descendants, __________
Safeguard us
That we may flourish in the heavens, that we may flourish on the earth
That we may flourish in the Hawaiian islands
Grant us knowledge
Grant us strength
Grant us intelligence
Grant us understanding
Grant us insight
Grant us power

15. `AUMĀ KUA: A FINAL NOTE
• `Aumākua can be a
sensitive topic to some
`ohana.
• Respect the privacy of
others, even within your
own `ohana.
• Understand that what is
okay in one `ohana may not
be okay for another.

16. If you have any
questions, please
ask them on the
Discussion Board.
Mahalo!