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Editor's Notes
Hollowed out trunk of a niu tree
Traditionally made of a small niu or ipu One end was removed and covered with shark skin or the skin of kala, surgeonfish The skin was secured to the niu/ipu using `aha Struck with a short, plat piece of braided rope, usually made of `aha, called kā This pūniu could be used by itself or to accompany pahu
Pā ipu Ipu heke made by joining two ipu, one atop the other The upper one is usually smaller than the lower
Made of `ohe The upper ¾ slit lengthwise into fine slivers When struck, makes a whispering sound that sounds like a breezy rustle or rain Traditionally used in pairs
`Ohe entirely hollow except for a node at the bottom of the rube Sounded by striking the bottom on the ground Its tone depended on the dimensions of the tube
Traditionally made of kauila May be cut to the same length or differing lengths, shorter one used to hit the longer one
Could be made from any hardhood Used with kala`au
Traditionally made from an ipu, today la`amia is used Often filled with `ili`ili, tiny pebbles or ali`ipoe Handle made of twined `ie`ie or lauahala Often capped with a disk of kapa fringed with feathers
Same basic idea of putting small objects inside follow fruit – ipu, niu or la`amia Holes were made in three fruit so that a shaft could be inserted through them The outer pair were the rattles while the center one served as both a handle and as the housing for a cord wound around the shaft When the cord was pulled, the shaft spun and caused the rattles to rotate and sound
Bamboo nose flute Three hole flute Soft, subtle sound
Made from a piece of hardwood like kauila or `ulei Strings made of `aha stretched the length of the wooden frame In some cases, ipu fragments were inserted between the strings and the frame to function as bridges One end of the frame was held between the lips and the player simultaneously chanted and rapidly stroked the strings with the nī`au from the niu The resulting sound resembled indistinct speech. Suggested that it was used by lovers who did not want their messages overheard
