This document provides context and background information for the Hawaiian myth "Punia & the Sharks". It defines key characters' names and their meanings. It also identifies and defines important place names mentioned in the story, which are located on the Big Island of Hawaii. The document discusses olelo, or chants, and highlights parts of Punia's chant. It also examines the symbolic meanings of the three fish - kala, uhu, and palani - referenced in the chant. Finally, it notes some variations in the story's ending between different versions.

1. PUNIA & THE SHARKS
HWST 104

2. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• The book Place Names of Hawai`i can
help provide insight into the location
of places mentioned in these stories as
well as the meaning of the place name.
This text may be accessed through
ulukau.org on Resources.
• The Hawaiian Dictionary can also
help provide insight into the meanings
of names and other terms found in
stories. This text may be accessed
through ulukau.org on Resources or by
going directly to www.wehewehe.org
• The book ‘Ōlelo No`eau contains
Hawaiian proverbs & poetical sayings
and more.

3. NĀ INOA (NAMES)
• As is typical in Hawaiian myths and legends,
names provide insight into the characters’
attributes, personality, and the story itself.
• In the same regards, place names can also
provide insight into the plot of the story.

4. MAIN CHARACTERS –
DEFINITIONS OF NAMES
• PUNIA
– “to gain control of, to
overcome”
– To be fond of, desire, covet
– Deceive, deluded
• KAI`ALE`ALE
– kai – sea
– `ale`ale – restless
As taken from the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pūku`i & Elbert).

5. BIG ISLAND OF HAWAI`I

6. PLACE NAMES
• Kohala
– Kohala. District (famous for the
`Āpa`apa`a wind), quadrangle,
extinct volcano, land section,
club, sugar plantation,
elementary and high schools,
ditch, trail, mill, mountains,
forest reserve, post office,
seminary, and village, all in
northwest Hawai`i; point,
Honomū qd., northeast Hawai`i.
As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Püku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

7. PLACE NAMES CONT.
• Kona
– Kona. Leeward districts on
Hawai`i, Kaua`i, Moloka`i,
Ni`ihau, and O`ahu. Poetic
(Hawai`i); kai mā`oki`oki; kai
ʻōpua i ka la`i; kai hā-
wanawana, streaked sea; clouds
[over the] sea in the calm;
whispering sea. (See Appendix
9.) Lit., leeward.
As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Püku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

8. PLACE NAMES CONT.
• Alula
– Alula. Bay, Kai-lua qd., North
Kona, Hawai`i.
• Hi`iakanoholae
– Hi`iaka-noho-lae. A rock beyond
the seawall (between the Kona
Inn and the end of the wall) at
Kai-lua Village, Kona, Hawai`i.
(For. Sel. 14-15.) Lit., Hi`iaka
living [at] point. (One of Pele's
Hi`iaka sisters lived here. In one
legend the stone is the shark
form of a priest turned to stone
in response to an enemy's prayer Alula Beach
to Pele. See Ka-iwi.)
As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Püku`i, Elbert &
Mo`okini)

9. PLACE NAMES CONT.
• Keaukaha
– Ke-au-kaha. Hawaiian
homestead area,
elementary school,
waterfront park and
residential district, Hilo,
Hawai`i. Lit., the passing
current.
As taken from Place Names of Hawai`i (Pūku`i, Elbert & Mo`okini)

10. OLI
• MELE OLI
– Mele oli, or simply oli, are chants that are not danced to and are generally
unaccompanied by any musical instrument.
– Because the Hawaiian people had no written language until the arrival of the
missionaries, they relied heavily on oli to preserve history, genealogy,
traditions, beliefs, and much more.
– There are many different kind of oli, both formal and informal for specific
occasions including mele ko`ihonua (recounts a person’s genealogy), mele
inoa (name chant in honor of an individual), and mele he`enalu (surfing
chant).
– The mana (power) of a chant, lies in its hidden meanings, or kaona. Hidden
meanings, such as rain as a metaphor for love or the use of a certain place
name, could evoke different feelings, depending on who heard and
understood the chant.
• In his oli (chant) on p.14-15, Punia mentions 3 fishes: the kala, uhu
& palani.

11. KALA
• Kala: surgeonfish
– Kala also means to free, release, or forgive; a
proclamation; a prayer to free one from any evil
influence
– The kala has a spike near the caudal fin which it uses in
its defense. Because of this sharp tail, it is likened to
one who can defend himself
• ‘Ōlelo No`eau
Mālama i ke kala ka i`a hi`u `oi.
Lit. Watch out for the kala, the fish with a sharp tail
A warning to beware of a person who is well equipped
to defend himself
As taken from the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pūku`i & Elbert).

12. UHU
• Uhu: wrasse-fish
– Uhu also means to strain, chafe under restraint; willful,
headstrong
– Uhu are plant eaters, the teeth are strong and beaklike.
The uhu is a beautiful, bright-colored fish.
• ‘Ōlelo No`eau
`A`ohe e loa`a, he uhu pakelo
Lit. He will not be caught, for he is an uhu, slippery
with slime
Said of a person too wily and wise to be caught

13. PALANI
• Palani: surgeonfish
– The palani is famous for its strong odor. As such,
it is likened to a detested person
• ‘Ōlelo No`eau
Hauna ke kai o ka palani.
Lit. The palani makes a strong-smelling soup
A person of unsavory reputation imparts it to all he
does.

14. PUNIA & THE SHARKS
• There are at least 2 other documented
versions of this myth.
• The main storyline, theme, and overall
outcome of each version are the same.
• However, there are subtle differences in
each.
• The ending in each version varies.
• The differences are noted in the following
slides.

15. Legends of Hawai`i (Colum, 1937)
• In Colum’s version, Punia’s father was killed by the
king of sharks, Kai`ale`ale.
• In this version, Punia came out of Kai`ale`ale when
he reached the shore. He cried out to the people that
their enemy, Kai`ale`ale, had come for a visit. The
people of Kohala came down to shore with their
knives and spears, killing him.

16. Pikoi & Other legends of the island of
Hawai`i (Pūku`i & Curtis, 1949)
• In this version, Punia asked his mother to make him
a small, closely-plaited mat which he took with him
along with his sticks for lighting fire and charcoal.
• In this version, Punia was about to crawl out when
they reached shore, but heard voices outside. The
men tried to kill Kai`ale`ale by cutting him open.
Punia shouted “Oh be careful, lest you cut the man
inside.”

17. Pikoi & Other legends of the island of
Hawai`i continued (Pūku`i & Curtis, 1949)
• Believing the shark to be inhabited by an evil spirit,
the people were frightened away.
• He was about to crawl out again, but saw more people
coming with knives and adzes.
• Since he was not sure of his whereabouts, he feared
that the people would kill him.
• Thus, he drew back and shouted once more,
frightening them away as well.

18. Pikoi & Other legends of the island of
Hawai`i continued (Pūku`i & Curtis, 1949)
• This continued until darkness fell.
• Although there were still some people around,
he crawled out and ran into the forest.
• He was relieved to see Mauna Kea and
returned home.