Aloha Authentic: Hawaiian clouds

HONOLULU (KHON2) – We all use our island roads, but when was the last time you paid attention to first names? Did you know there is another way you could learn more about Hawaiian culture and knowledge?

KHON2’s weekly “Aloha Authentic” segment illuminates various streets across the islands so that we can grapple with the names and learn something new again.

This week we turned our attention to the sky above. By doing ahupua from Hālawa, that in the. lies moku from ʻEwa auf Oʻahu, there is a residential street named after puffy clouds: ʻŌpua St.

Names are very important in Hawaii as they tell a story – including topics like weather. According to Hawaiian knowledge, there are over 500 names for clouds and that doesn’t include the variation in names for specific locations.

The word for “cloud” in the Hawaiian language is Ao. The following descriptive words will help you understand what it could mean. Ao pua refers to puffy clouds or cumulus clouds.

Cumulus clouds can look puffy like a pork belly, which is why the term Ao PuaÊ»a (PuaÊ»a means “pig”) is also a general term for cumulus clouds. These types of clouds usually mark a good day.

The word lio means “dog”.

Ao ‘lio refers to stratocumulus clouds, low clumps, or cloud patches. Like a pack of dogs, these clouds move from one side of the sky to the other, indicating a possible change in the weather.

There are cirrus clouds in the upper levels of the sky. These are thin, feathery clouds that tend to spread like the wings of a bird. This is called Ao Manu – manu means “bird”. These clouds help predict the wind and create those beautiful colors during sunsets.

Did you know already? Now you do!