Waikiki’s Diamond Head is arguably one of the vital recognizable pure landmarks on this planet. It’s been a picture-postcard picture of paradise for generations, and it towers within the background of numerous thousands and thousands of trip pictures taken by giddy beach-goers.
Past that iconic picture, Diamond Head, or “Leahi” within the Hawaiian language, has been an emblem of an enthralling love story in historic Hawaii legend for hundreds of years. It’s the charming story of an unlikely love affair between a small reef fish or “La’i”, named Nahe from the shores on the foot of Diamond Head and an impressive and big yellowfin tuna “ahi” from the deep sea whose identify was Le’a.
Younger Nahe was swept out to sea from his residence alongside the reef by a large wave, and he got here to know the methods of the open ocean, befriending the “kohola” (humpback whales) within the winter months and ocean-going sharks, or “mano” throughout the remainder of the 12 months. Nahe turned shut with a shark named Kila Ua, and someday as the good shark consumed a teeming college of enormous tuna, Nahe noticed the ahi Le’a in peril and swan in entrance of Kila Ua to guard her from being eaten.
Kamaka, a goddess of the ocean, blessed the union, which produced the Lai Ahi fish which nonetheless swims the waters of Diamond Head. The realm turned often called Lai Ahi, which was reworked into Leahi as the event of Hawaiian as a written language started early within the 1800’s.
There are additionally different theories about how Leahi acquired its identify. The crest of Diamond Head resembles a profile of the top of a yellow-fin tuna, and which may be a part of the rationale for its identify. Nevertheless, ahi additionally means “hearth” within the native Hawaiian language, and it has been steered that the identify stems from sign fires lit as beacons for incoming crusing canoes at Diamond Head’s summit in Hawaii’s distant previous.
Acquainted landmarks like Diamond Head all through Hawaii every have their very own legends and mythical origin stories. In reality, each stream, river, and different function of Hawaii’s pure panorama has its personal fable. They’re all compelling, some full of affection and light-weight, different stained with blood and betrayal. Studying the again tales of locations you’ll go to throughout your Hawaii trip will provide help to to connect with native Hawaiian tradition if you get right here.
Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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