Artifact Number:
03109
Object:
ADZE, HAFTED
Koi
Material:
Metal (iron), plant (hau, ohia, olona, niu)
Dimensions:
Origin:
Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii, Polynesia
Comments:
Metal Adzes. Koi o Kupaaikee made and long used by Kaikai, an old kahuna kalai waa, canoe builder, of Laaloa, Kona. It is hafted and polished on its bevel. This style of adze was invented by Kupaaikee, one of the four gods worshipped by canoe makers. He presided over the work on the interior of a canoe. Kaikai sold it to Emerson for $1.00 on September 21, 1885. The handle is made of hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) wood, the tongue, called "elelo o kupaaikee", is made of ohia (Metrosideros macropus) wood. Kaikai gave Emerson the following fragment of an ancient prayer: O Kupulupulu, O Kualanawao, O Lea o ka wahine noho mauna, O Ku, O Mokuhalii, O Kupaaikee, O Nohinohiana. These are the gods of the canoe makers: 1) Mokuhalii was the chief deity who dwelt in the woods, and like a king, did no work himself; 2) Lea (w) was his sister, dwelling with him; 3) Kupaaikee the inventor of the adze called by his name. He presided over the work of the interior of a canoe, and used his tongue to form a part of his famous adze; 4) The Elepaio bird, inspector of all koa logs designed for canoes. If she is walked over the log and pecked it with her bill, the canoe was abandoned as unsound; 5) The above gods employed an army of subordinates named Kini o ke Akua, Mano o ke Akua, Leho o ke Akua, etc. etc. (Emerson) The blade measures from tip to bevel 8.9 cm; bevel to haft 10.2 cm; bevel depth 0.64 cm. Blade width: tip 5.4 cm; bevel 7.0 cm; haft 8.9 cm. Swivel adze. The handle length is 68.6 cm. Tip is rought, probably from hoop iron. The blade has a crescent shaped edge and is lashed with niu, coconut (Cocos nucifera) cordage and the handle with olona (Touchardia latifolia) cordage. Used for working on the interior of a canoe. Figure 115. (Summers)
Collection Name: J.S. Emerson Collection
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