Robert Dampier (1800–1874), Nahiennaena (1825)

A ''kāhili'' is a symbol of the aliʻi chiefs and families of the Hawaiian Islands. It was taken by the Kamehamehas as a Hawaiian royal standard and used by the Royal Families to indicate their lineage.

History

The ''kāhili'' has long been a symbol of the Hawaiian aliʻi chiefs and the noble houses of the Hawaiian Islands. A ''kāhili'' bearer (''pa'a-kāhili'') is one who carries or bears the standard for the royal subject. The ''kāhili'' signified power from the divinities. The Ali'i surrounded themselves with the standard. It was made using the long bones of an enemy king and decorated with the feathers from

birds of prey Birds of prey or predatory birds, also known as raptors, are hypercarnivorous bird species that actively hunt and feed on other vertebrates (mainly mammals, reptiles and other smaller birds). In addition to speed and strength, these predat ...

. The Royal Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Hawaii depicts the twin

Kameʻeiamoku Kameeiamoku (died 1802) was a Hawaiian high chief and the Counselor of State to King Kamehameha I. He was called Kamehameha's uncle, but he was really the cousin of Kamehameha's mother, Kekuiapoiwa II. Birth and ancestry Along with his twin b ...

holding a feather standard. Among the pieces collected on

Captain Cook James Cook (7 November 1728 Old Style date: 27 October – 14 February 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy, famous for his three voyages between 1768 and 1779 in the Pacific Ocean and ...

voyages were numerous feathered artifacts including 7 ''kāhili'' of the normal design before European influence. In 1825 while aboard the visiting ship returning the remains of

Kamehameha II Kamehameha II (November 1797 – July 14, 1824) was the second king of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His birth name was Liholiho and full name was Kalaninui kua Liholiho i ke kapu ʻIolani. It was lengthened to Kalani Kaleiʻaimoku o Kaiwikapu o Laʻ ...

from England, Robert Dampier painted a portrait of Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena holding the royal feather standard. The Bishop Museum, which was founded in 1889 has an extensive collection of feathered standards on display along with portraits of the monarchs of the 19th century. Their collection is displayed in the "Kāhili Room".

''Kāhili'' bearer

Only the ali'i had the right to possess ''kāhili''; It was considered a staff of state. A ''pa'a-kāhili'' (''kāhili'' bearer) followed the king everywhere he went. The standard could be used as a fly-brush and waved over the sleeping noble. A ''ha'aku'e'' was a kāhili bearer of the same sex as the person they served. The role was similar to that of a squire or page.

Funeral rites

The ''hana lawelawe'' of the ''pa'a-kāhili'' is an important ritual duty at the funeral of a Hawaiian noble's funeral. From the time the body is laid out to the moment it is interred, the bearers wave the ''kāhili'' above the deceased. Three of four ''kāhili'' bearers stand on either side and at regular intervals raise the standards above the body until they meet the opposing feathered staff on the other side. The standards are then waved to the right, left and then up while

genealogy Genealogy () is the study of families, family history, and the tracing of their lineages. Genealogists use oral interviews, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kin ...

chants are sung detailing the deeds of the figure and their ancestors. When the body is transported from the home to the church, the

hearse A hearse is a large vehicle, originally a horse carriage but later with the introduction of motor vehicles, a car, used to carry the body of a deceased person in a coffin at a funeral, wake, or memorial service. They range from deliberately a ...

is surrounded by kāhili bearers. Once at the chapel the ritual continues, as well as while transferring the deceased to the cemetery. At

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Bernice Pauahi Bishop KGCOK RoK (December 19, 1831 – October 16, 1884), born Bernice Pauahi Pākī, was an '' alii'' (noble) of the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a well known philanthropist. At her death, her estate was the la ...

's funeral, 150 black ''kāhili'' were carried and displayed.

Crafting

Feather crafting is something that was brought to the islands from the first Polynesian voyagers, however, Hawaii has the most advanced examples. The feathers of small birds that were held in high regard for their religious significance were used in crafting a number of the regalia of the Hawaiian chiefs. The ''

ʻahu ʻula The ''ʻAhu ʻula'' ( feather cloak in the Hawaiian language), and the '' mahiole'' (feather helmet) were symbols of the highest rank of the chiefly ''aliʻi'' class of ancient Hawaii. The feathered cloaks and capes provided physical protection ...

'', ''

mahiole Hawaiian feather helmets, known as ''mahiole'' in the Hawaiian language, were worn with feather cloaks (ʻahu ʻula). These were symbols of the highest rank reserved for the men of the ''alii'', the chiefly class of Hawaii. There are examples o ...

'', ''kāhili'' and other objects of the aliʻi were made with these sacred feathers. A skilled craftsman would be used to create these specific items. The craft was a strong hereditary bond and was passed to younger generations from older experts. The poʻe hahai manu were the expert feather gatherers and would spend months in collection hunts in the forest. Collecting the feathers would sometimes be done for generations.

References

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