Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. nvt., Family or personal gods, deified ancestors who might assume the shape of sharks (all islands except Kauaʻi), owls (as at Mānoa, Oʻahu 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.) Figuratively, a trustworthy person. Probably literally, ʻau #4, group, + makua, parent.

• Related:
  • hōʻaumakua Caus/sim.; To acquire or contact ʻaumākua.
• References:
  • See pulapula #2.

2. vt., To offer grace to ʻaumākua before eating; to bless in the name of ʻaumākua.

• Examples:
  • ʻAuhea ʻoe, ē ke kanaka o ke akua, eia kā kāua wahi ʻai, ua loaʻa maila mai ka pō mai ka pō mai; no laila nāu e ʻaumakua mai i ka ʻai a kāua (prayer), hearken, O man who serves the god, here is food for you [literally,., our food], received from the night, so bless our food in the name of the ʻaumakua.

3. vt., To ask someone to hula; the request was not refused without giving the caller a lei or flower.

• Examples:
  • ʻAumakua iā Kamuela, Samuel must dance!