Pōhinahina and the Goddess of the Moon

I was first introduced to this low growing indigenous ground cover plant by a Hawaiian cultural leader. The name and purple flowers resonated deeply with me. I wanted to know more about her !

ʻPōhinaʻ means a silvery grey like the colour of the leaves on top. On the underside they are more of a whitish colour . The silver could refer to a sword and  itʻs ability to help one see the truth, cutting through any illusions. The silver colour of the leaves is produced by tiny hairs on the surface which you can see in the photo below. ʻPohinaʻ also means to topple representing the long hanging branches it puts out and therefore its ability to cover large areas.

It is seen along coastal areas and and stabilises both sand and soil. It is very hardy and an excellent ground cover plant stopping weeds from growing. When you brush up against it a sage and mint smell is released.

Medicinally the leaves are edible and are used to help stomach pains, insomnia and headaches

The leaves are used to make leis for giving at birthdays and during an honouring ceremony. They can be used for lei poʻo around the head or the neck.

When tied together and dried the stems and leaves make excellent smudge sticks

The Goddess Hina

https://papahanakuaola.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Hinas-Gift-from-the-Heavens.pdf

This recounts the story of Hina who left her earth family to live in the sky. Her earth family did not appreciate her and she would spend all day getting her chores done without much help.

Hina first tried reaching the sun but found the journey geting there too hot. She slid down the rainbow to come back to the earth. One night she saw the beautiful moon and vowed to live there. On the way her foot was grabbed and ripped off. She chanted to her family, guardian spirits and the darkness, the source of all things  to help her. Hina finally made it to the moon.

Her earth family were sad at her departure and the injury caused. Hina realised that her family were sorry and so with aloha and a gemnerous spirit a vine started ot grow from her the place where heer foot was buried. It was a new planty, the sweet potato or ʻulua. Even today  the ulua is cultivated by breaking off a piece form the mother plant.

Hina is connected to growing food and agriculture and the Hawaiians use the moon cycle to know when to plant and harvest their crops. She is also the goddess of fishing and so her calendar is used for when to fish and for which fish.

Hina is also connected with making kapa, the amazing art of making paper and cloth from the bark of the paper mulberry tree (wauke). This is shown beautifully in this iconic painting by Herb Kane.