Ki'i pōhaku
Stone image
Vesicular basalt
Queen Emma Estate, 1906
Hawaiian gods and other supernatural beings were represented in various ways, often as three-dimensional objects. Some of these representations are finely carved or fashioned, while others are less detailed, which can perhaps be attributed to the intended purpose or duty of each created object. The deity seen here, whose name is Kaneikokala, has a clear and recognizable face set into a natural rock form.
Elsewhere in Hawaiian Hall, there are carvings made of both stone and wood. Woven forms from different plant materials were also created by the Hawaiians, often covered with small, colorful bird feathers. Some of the feathers were greatly valued due to the scarcity of the birds from which they were collected, and were primarily used by royalty, or in connection with certain gods. Some figures were small enough to be carried; others were made quite large, and were created for permanent installation.
Although there exists many representations of Hawaiian gods, not all of them were created to contain the spiritual force of the being imaged. If a kahuna, or priest, wanted a deity to inhabit an object, specific rituals and chants would be performed to guide that force into the object. Similarly, this same force could be removed from the created image by using other specified rituals and chants.
During the most recent restoration of Hawaiian Hall which was completed in 2009, Museum staff attempted to protect the kiʻi Kaneikokala by removing it from the hall. The kiʻi, which was brought to Bishop Museum and set into the floor of Hawaiian Hall in 1906, refused to be moved and remained in its place through the renovations.