Teaching Story: Haloa The First Taro Plant

Wakea, the Skyfather fell in love with his daughter Ho’ohokuokalani who became pregnant but the baby boy was stillborn. 

Ho’ohokuokalani buried her child at the eastern edge of their hale (house) where the sun rises in the morning. One day a shoot appeared and became the first Kalo (Taro) plant. The parents called this Kalo baby Haloanakalaukapalili. This name was given because the plant has a fluttering heart-shaped leaf on top of a long stalk that gently dances this way and that, which is what the Kalo plant does in the wind.

Soon after Ho’ohokuokalani gave birth to a second healthy Kane (male) child and they called him Haloa for his older brother, the Kalo plant. Haloa was a very important because he was the first Hawaiian - Kanaka Maoli - and all Hawaiians are descended from him.

Haloanakalaukapalili, the Kalo Plant and first Haloa, is the older sibling to the human race. It is said that if you take care of the Kalo, it will nurture and take care of you. The Kalo is very important to the Kanaka Maoli - the first people or indigenous people of Hawaii.

The story of Halao explains about the importance, role, significance and  meaning of 'Ohana.  Look at a Kalo plant and notice it's centre. The centre is it's Piko and you have one too - it's called your bellybutton or navel.

Lke all Mo'olelo, or teaching stories, this one has many layers to it. Can you find and understand them? In our PAPA CLASS Kumu Lawrence explains more about the Kalo, it's place in Hawaiian Culture, Tradition and Spirituality and why this story is important for you to know - especially if you're wanting to be a Practitioner or go deeper into our Teachings.