3. PŌ
• When the spirit left the body after death, it
traveled along the roads and pathways of the
bodily host’s own island and on to a leina or
“place of leaping.”
• From there, the spirit plunged into the sea of
eternity or Pō. There, the `aumākua would be
ready to welcome those in life who had not
offended
4. AO KUEWA
• Ao – region
• Kuewa – wanderer
• Spirits of the dead who were doomed to
wander forever within specific geographic
areas
• Also called ao ʻauana
5. AO `AUMAKUA
• Ao – region
• `Aumakua – Family or personal gods, deified
ancestors who might assume the shape of…
sharks, owls, hawks, `elepaio, he`e, puhi, etc..
• The desired realm of the spirit ancestors
6. AO O MILU
AO MILU
• Ao – region
• Milu – underworld
• Realm of Milu
• Dark and endless night
7. If you have any
questions, please
ask them on the
Discussion Board.
Mahalo!
Editor's Notes
Every island had its special point overlooking the sea which was the leina, or leaping place for spirits on their trek to the ao `aumakua after death. Once the spirit has made the leap, the soul is safe with the `aumakua in Pō, the unseen. Lost souls are those that literally have gotten lost while feebly searching for the leina because they have no `aumakua who cares enough to show them the way. Examples of leina: Ka Lae, Ka`ena point on O`ahu . It is believed that the spirit leaves the body not with the breath, but out of the corners of the eyes where tears flow from Ulu o lei walo – Breadfruit tree said to be located at the gateway of the leina. The tree had two branches that pointed east and west, one for leaping into the underworld, while the other was a meeting place for spirits
This doom came upon mortals who in life had so offended their `aumakua that they denied them a place in the happier eternity of Pō. These spirits were of people who were not found by their family `aumakua and taken home with them or had not found the leina to the Pō. Refers to the homeless, hungry spirits of the dead Chased moths, spiders and grasshoppers in a vain effort to appease hunger Hunger was the Hawaiian concept of “hell” These wandering spirits were often malicious, so the places they wandered were usually avoided Spirits would steal food when they could. For this reason, it is said that you should never eat in the dark, lest you encounter such a spirit Examples include Kama`oma`o on Maui, Kaupe`a on O`ahu
The desired realm of the spirit ancestors Usually remained near their old homes as helpful protectors of the family to which they belonged and were worshipped by the family Can be referred to as Ao `Uhane, realm of the spirits – the realm in which the ancestral akua and `aumakua of the `ohana lived
Realm of eternal darkness Realm is fearful, friendless, to bare cruel evil Milu is the chief god of the underworld throughout the greater part of Polynesia Many times the underworld itself bore the name Milu, as is the case in Hawai`i It is the least desired realm
