Menehune are said to be about two feet high, although some are only
six inches high and capable of fitting in the palm of someone's hand.
The creatures are usually naked, but their long straight hair falls
to their knees to keep them warm and discreet. Each menehune has a
distinct personality and appearance; no two are identical. Furthermore,
their spirits are always changing; one could be malicious and dangerous
one day, and harmless the next. Nonetheless, they are cunning creatures,
and therefore should be avoided, unless a special favor is absolutely
needed of them.
Although most people easily recall the leprechauns of Ireland, in
Hawaii the mischievous Menehune roam the deep forests at night.
The mythology of the Menehune is as ancient as the history of Polynesia.
When the first Polynesians arrived in Hawaii, they found dams, fish-ponds,
and even Heiaus(temples), all presumably built by the Menehune who
were already inhabiting the caves in the islands. Some even say that
the great god Maui himself, was one of the tiny creatures.
One can request the expertise of the Menehune builders and craftsmen
The menehune will be especially congenial if you can cite menhune
lineage. In ancient times, Hawaiian men would sometimes marry menehune
women, noted for their beauty. With your proper ancestory, the menehune
act like benevolent godparents. Many projects, such as the preparation
of a wedding feast, have been completed in a single night by the superstrong
menehune, while all humans slept.
The little gods enjoy dancing, singing, and archery. To reverse the
feelings in an angry person, the menehune sometimes use magic arrows
to pierce the heart of angry people to ignite feelings of love instead.
Menehune also enjoy cliff diving, so if you hear splashes in the night
in Hawaii, it is possibly a Menehune diving into the ocean. If you
search carefully and avoid being seen, you might catch a glimpse of
the little gods.
Kokua (koe-KOO-ah): The warriors and protectors of the Menehune.
The kokua are usually hot-headed, boastful and violent, but they are
the enforcers of the ali'i's laws, and the ones who defend the Menehune
from outsiders. Kokua often allied with the Shark totem in the past,
but many have allied with rock totems in recent years due to the scarcity
of the great sea animals. Kokua are faster and quicker than the average,
and all are taught to fight early on. The kokua are often governed
by their anger, and often tend to kill enemies rather than capture
them, often in very painful or cruel ways. The kokua appear to be
perfect physical specimens, and are always fit. They wear little clothing
usually, to better display their tatoos.
Kahuna (ka-HOO-nah): The mystical and spiritual leaders of Menehune
society, kahunas communicate with and appease the spirits and keep
the taboos. A majority of kahunas can even change the taboos, if enough
evidence from the spirit world seems to favor the change. Once per
month, and only with good reason, a kahuna may break a taboo and get
away with it without negative repercussions. All kahuna can speak
to spirits and understand their languages. Kahunas are often given
to falling into sudden trances, as stray whispers from the spirit
world are heard by them. The stars shine in the eyes of the fae mien
of a kahuna.
Also known as Nawao. Hawaii's legendary mystical and shy forest dwellers,
small in size (about 3 ft tall), but according to legend, very industrious
master builders that use their great strength to accomplish mighty
feats of engineering and construction overnight.
The Menehune are also said to possess magical powers and to have
created major projects throughout the Hawaiian Islands, such as the
Menehune Ditch (an aqueduct that funnels water for irrigation from
the Waimea River) and the Alekoko Fishpond (also called Menehune Fishpond).
