If you're familiar with the Hawaiian islands then you're probably familiar with them having nicknames like the Garden Isle or the Valley Isle. Well, what if I told you that Hawaiians have another set of nicknames that acknowledge beloved chiefs of the past and give glimpses into their character, the islands, and their people?
I'll start with Kauai, where I was born and raised. The nicknames we're talking about are called epithets, which are descriptive phrases expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned. For Kauai, it's Kauai o Mano or Kauai o Manokalanipo. Manokalanipo is the eighth ali'i aimoku (chief over a division or island) of Kauai and is beloved for bringing a time of great peace to the people of Kauai during his reign.
Manokalanipo's story is fascinating. During his father Kukona's rule, another chief from Hawaii Island was attempting to conquer all the islands. Having conquered Maui, Molokai, and Oahu, he set his sights on Kauai. Kukona, having heard of the advancing forces, sent his son Manokalanipo with a mere 500-man army to confront the forces from four islands. Their clash along Kauai's south shore resulted in a victory for Manokalanipo's army. Instead of claiming the lives of the rival chiefs and taking their islands, they chose peace and granted them safe passage back to their lands.
Under Manokalanipo's rule, Kauai also saw advancements in land management, including irrigation and cultivation techniques, which elevated Kauai's status in the island chain.
These stories are not widely known, so I've created a poster to bring them back into the spotlight. I opted for a screen-printed design because my introduction to graphic design was through screen printing. This method allows for slight variations from poster to poster, making each one unique. We worked with the talented team at Ink Lounge in Englewood, Colorado, and the posters turned out exceptional. They will make a great addition to any space whether it's decor for retail, your office, or even your home.
Aloha,
gG
Want to pick one up? Head over to the shop. IoaneShop
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