Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

Poetic reference to the lehua tree. Literally, silent lehua, so called because bird-catchers were silent when snaring birds on branches of this tree and this activity was taboo.

Silent lehua. In early times skilled bird-catchers silently (hāmau) slipped into the foliage of the lehua tree, smeared the twigs and branches with a gummy mixture, and waited for the ʻōʻō, mamo, and other honeycreepers and honeyeaters to alight and be entrapped. Certain yellow or red feathers were removed from the crest, tail, or wings and the bird released. The feathers were used in making capes, helmets, cloaks, and other apparel for royal wear. Silence was the key in this ancient skill.

Poetic reference to the lehua tree. Bird catchers were silent when snaring birds on the branches of this tree. Lit., silent lehua.