Aloha kākou !

The Hawaiian word for the moon is “mahina”. As we celebrate the Spring Equinox, I wanted to share with you a little bit about the Hawaiian Moon Calendar, also known as the Hawaiian Lunar Calendar or the Hawaiian Moon Phase Calendar.

You may already know that Hawaiians have a deep connection to nature and the elements, and their traditional way of tracking time is no exception. The Hawaiian Moon Calendar is based on the lunar cycles, which means Hawaiians actually counted nights, not days! A new “day” began at sunset, right after the sun disappeared below the ocean’s horizon. Each new month began with the night of the new moon.

Source: https://www.wpcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2023_Hawaii-LunarCalendar_WEB.pdf

Now, let's dive in a little deeper.

In the traditional Hawaiian calendar, the lunar month was determined by the 29.5-day cycles of mahina (moon). Every three to six years, a thirteenth lunar month was added.

The moon cycle was divided into three 10-day periods known as anahulu and was based on the waxing or waning of the moon.

Each month started with the new moon, Hilo and ended with Mauli or Muku, the dark moon. The first 10-day period was called ho‘onui (growing bigger), beginning on the first crescent. The second anahulu was poepoe (round or full). The nights of the bright moon (Akua, Hoku and Mahealani) were referred to as nā pō mahina kōnane (bright moonlight nights). The last anahulu was emi (decreasing).

But the Hawaiian Moon Calendar isn’t just about tracking time. It's also a way for Hawaiians to connect with their ancestors and their spiritual beliefs and there are certain rituals and practices that are traditionally performed during each month. For example, the first lunar month is called Makahiki, which is the time of year when the god Lono is celebrated, and the harvest season begins.

Each lunar month was named after a particular aspect of nature, such as the flowering of certain plants or the behavior of animals during that time of the year, which were essential for agriculture, fishing, and other aspects of Hawaiian culture.

The waxing and waning phases of the moon dictated that fishing was most successful during the waxing moon, while planting and harvesting were best done during the waning moon.

The full moon, or Hoku, was considered a powerful time for spiritual and medicinal practices.

The new moon, or Mahina Hoku, was a time for new beginnings and setting intentions.

One of the most interesting things about the Hawaiian Moon Calendar is that it doesn't follow the same cycle as the Western calendar. Since lunar months can vary in length from 29 to 30 days, that means that the calendar doesn't always align with the Gregorian calendar that we use in the United States.

But that's part of the beauty of the Hawaiian Moon Calendar. It's a reminder that time is not something that can be measured in a rigid, linear way. Rather, it's a fluid and ever-changing concept that is intimately tied to the natural world and the cycles of the moon.

So, the next time you are on Maui, take a moment to look up at the sky and observe the phases of the moon. And if you're lucky enough to witness a traditional Hawaiian ceremony or celebration, pay attention to the lunar month and the rituals that are being performed. You may just gain a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty and spiritual traditions of this magical place.

Mahalo for reading, and until next time, a hui hou!

Dennis O’Donnell

Romvari Realty

Maui, Hawai’i

808-280-6596

dennis@romvari.net