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Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior
PAGLINAWAN, Richard Kekumuikawaiokeola, Mitchell Eli, Moses Elwood Kalauokalani, and Jerry Walker. Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 2006. 158pp. ISBN 1-58178-028-3 (hc) $29.95. ISBN 1-58178-058-1 (pa) $19.95. Index. Bib. Illus. alk. paper.
Throughout Hawaiian history, Hawaiian warriors practiced the martial art of lua hidden from the eyes of non-warriors. Like other traditional Hawaiian art forms, the techniques and the practice of lua practically disappeared in the aftermath of the arrival of the missionaries to Hawaii. Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior tells the story of the rediscovery of the art and techniques of this Hawaiian martial art form. Under the tutelage of the last olohe lua (literally, hairless one, olohe refers to a master of lua,), Charles Kenn, the authors of the text spent four years studying the philosophy, history, and fighting techniques of the ancient Hawaiian warriors. On completion of the years of formal study, the students became olohe themselves, with the charge from their master “huna na mea huna” (keep secret what is sacred). After Kenn’s death, his students felt that they could best perpetuate the practice of Lua by allowing a glimpse into some of the artform’s practices. The authors have carefully described the history and general philosophy of Lua, while keeping hidden most of the specifics of its practice. The book Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior is the first attempt to set down the history of lua, while still keeping sacred its secret ways.
This book provides an insightful history of the fighting art, lua, from the point of view of the respectful traditional practitioner as well as an explication of its place in Hawaiian history, mythology, and religion. The book is divided into six chapters, which describe the history of lua, its ancient schools, lua Gods, weapons, and today’s recently revived lua schools . The authors also provide a group of fascinating drawings and diagrams that give readers a clear demonstration of many of the techniques. Each illustrated technique includes the Hawaiian name of the technique(ai), as described in traditional chants, and its literal translation. The illustrations give the reader a vivid glimpse of the powerful fighting techniques ranging from “the blunted nose” (Ka-ihu-manumanu) to the poetically named “the navel of Wakea” (Ka-piko-o-Wakea). Also included in the appendices are a list of the many gods associated with lua, a full list of the many ‘ai (lua techniques), with literal translations of the names and a description of the technique carefully sourced and referenced by the authors. An appendix of lua body diagrams in Hawaiian and English provides the reader with an understanding of the body parts and bones that are important to performing the ai. Endnotes, a bibliography and an extensive glossary of Hawaiian terms are essential tools for the reader in assimilating an unfamiliar topic.
In keeping with the kapu to “keep secret what is sacred”, Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior gives an excellent introduction to this ancient Hawaiian martial art without becoming a primer for use. Readers interested in practicing the art form within its cultural context are directed to one of two schools of lua in the islands. The combination of text and illustrations, along with the very useful Hawaiian glossary and carefully described Hawaiian cultural context, make this book a fascinating introduction to a little-known subject. The writing is straight-forward and simple, a respectful attempt by the authors to honor their teacher. This book would be an excellent addition to public libraries in Hawaii and is suitable for general readers. Lua would also be an appropriate acquisition for libraries with users interested in Hawaiian history or martial arts.
Throughout Hawaiian history, Hawaiian warriors practiced the martial art of lua hidden from the eyes of non-warriors. Like other traditional Hawaiian art forms, the techniques and the practice of lua practically disappeared in the aftermath of the arrival of the missionaries to Hawaii. Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior tells the story of the rediscovery of the art and techniques of this Hawaiian martial art form. Under the tutelage of the last olohe lua (literally, hairless one, olohe refers to a master of lua,), Charles Kenn, the authors of the text spent four years studying the philosophy, history, and fighting techniques of the ancient Hawaiian warriors. On completion of the years of formal study, the students became olohe themselves, with the charge from their master “huna na mea huna” (keep secret what is sacred). After Kenn’s death, his students felt that they could best perpetuate the practice of Lua by allowing a glimpse into some of the artform’s practices. The authors have carefully described the history and general philosophy of Lua, while keeping hidden most of the specifics of its practice. The book Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior is the first attempt to set down the history of lua, while still keeping sacred its secret ways.
This book provides an insightful history of the fighting art, lua, from the point of view of the respectful traditional practitioner as well as an explication of its place in Hawaiian history, mythology, and religion. The book is divided into six chapters, which describe the history of lua, its ancient schools, lua Gods, weapons, and today’s recently revived lua schools . The authors also provide a group of fascinating drawings and diagrams that give readers a clear demonstration of many of the techniques. Each illustrated technique includes the Hawaiian name of the technique(ai), as described in traditional chants, and its literal translation. The illustrations give the reader a vivid glimpse of the powerful fighting techniques ranging from “the blunted nose” (Ka-ihu-manumanu) to the poetically named “the navel of Wakea” (Ka-piko-o-Wakea). Also included in the appendices are a list of the many gods associated with lua, a full list of the many ‘ai (lua techniques), with literal translations of the names and a description of the technique carefully sourced and referenced by the authors. An appendix of lua body diagrams in Hawaiian and English provides the reader with an understanding of the body parts and bones that are important to performing the ai. Endnotes, a bibliography and an extensive glossary of Hawaiian terms are essential tools for the reader in assimilating an unfamiliar topic.
In keeping with the kapu to “keep secret what is sacred”, Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior gives an excellent introduction to this ancient Hawaiian martial art without becoming a primer for use. Readers interested in practicing the art form within its cultural context are directed to one of two schools of lua in the islands. The combination of text and illustrations, along with the very useful Hawaiian glossary and carefully described Hawaiian cultural context, make this book a fascinating introduction to a little-known subject. The writing is straight-forward and simple, a respectful attempt by the authors to honor their teacher. This book would be an excellent addition to public libraries in Hawaii and is suitable for general readers. Lua would also be an appropriate acquisition for libraries with users interested in Hawaiian history or martial arts.
Submitted by Nadine Little, LIS student, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2009.
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