Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. n., Frigate or man-of-war bird (Fregata minor palmerstoni); it has a wing span of 12 m. Fig., thief, so called because it steals food by forcing other birds to disgorge; also used figuratively for a handsome person, as follows: Kīkaha ka ʻiwa, he lā makani, poises the frigate bird, a windy day [of a handsome person who draws attention, as does the ʻiwa bird poised aloft]. Ka ʻiwa ālai maka, the frigate bird that fascinates the eye [an attractive person]. He iwa ka hoa e like ai (Kel. 134), just like one's friend the ʻiwa bird (of one dressed up in finery).

• References:
  • See ex., maʻoha; see sayings, ʻānai, haehae 2.
  • PCP kiwa.

2. n., A native fern (Asplenium horridum) with narrow, feather-shaped fronds 45 to 95 cm long, their dark stems bearing dark-brown hairs and scales. The stems were formerly used for making hats.

• Related:
  • Also: ʻalae.
• References:
  • PCP kiwa.

Frigate bird or Man oʻ War (Fregata minor palmerstoni) with a wing span of about 7 feet and a body from beak to tail averag- ing 37 inches. It is a soaring, floating creature that canʻt stand, walk, or even swim. While homing at dayʻs end, it swoops upon other birds such as booby gannets carrying fish intended for their young, dislodges the fish, and dives unerringly on the bruised fish which it takes to its own nest. It can only take flight from a bush or mound of earth. The hurricane of 1982 was fit- tingly named ʻIwa.