kua
1. nvi. Back, rear, burden, windward; to carry on the back, as a child. See ʻōpeʻa kua, paoa 2, and saying, pali. (Kua refers to a husband: cf. pilikua,) Ma ke kua, behind. Kahea kua, to call from behind one's back. Huli kua, to turn the back on, as to insult; back wall of a house. Pili ke kua me ke alo, the back touches the front [of a thin person]. He kua a kānāwai, a back [guarded by] law [certain chiefs' backs were taboo and such chiefs might not be approached front behind]. Kaʻū nui kua makani, great Kaʻū with windy back. I kua naʻu, a burden for me [as a request a dying person, asking for last instructions]. hoʻo.kua To persevere in work even when interest and pleasure have gone from it; burdensome. He hana hoʻokua nui, it's a very burdensome job. (PPN tuʻa.)
2. nvt. To hew, chop, chip, hack, dub, strike, cut out; to fell, strike down, as an image (Oihk. 26:30); anvil, as of a blacksmith or for beating tapa; house used for beating tapa. See ex. ʻauhau 3.
3. n. Beam, rafter.
4. n. Yoke of a dress; back of a garment; ox yoke.
5. n. Poles used in quilt making; the three unsewed quilt layers are placed on one another with the kua, poles, rolled into each end; the entirety is set over wooden horses and is stretched taut, so that the sewer may sew the layers together.
6. Var. of akua, god, image, especially after -a(cf. hoa kua). Cf. also Ke-ala-ke-kua (place name), the pathway [of] the images.
7. n. Midrib, as of pandanus leaf.
8. n. Third brew from kava. Cf. mahū, hope.
9. also sua n. Sewer. Eng.