Nov 3 / Ilima Choy

Helu Pō vs. Pō Mahina

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Hua ‘Ōlelo Hou

Here are some of the terms that you will find in this article and a definition based upon the context that they are used.
  • malama:  one lunar cycle, a month in the Hawaiian calendar
  • inoa:  name
  • helu pō: the pō of a malama
  • anahulu:  measurement of time equal to 10 pō, 
  • Ho‘onui:  first anahulu of a malama, to grow big
  • Poepoe:  second anahulu of a malama, round

  • Emi:  third anahulu of a malama, shrink

  • hiki:  arrive

  • kau:  rest

  • pō mahina:  lunar phase

"Kamali‘i ‘ike ole i ka helu pō."

Children who do not know the days of a month.

‘Ōlelo No‘eau # 1471

Ka Helu Pō

The cycle of Ka Mahina is used to measure the length of time during a malama. A malama is equal to a calendar month. It takes Ka Mahina ~29.5 pō to complete its monthly journey. Therefore, there are 29 to 30 pō during a malama.
Each pō has an inoa and are counted by their inoa and not by a number. Helu pō is the term used when counting the pō during a malama. There are 30 inoa in the helu pō. The helu pō are grouped into three periods of 10 pō. These groupings are called anahulu. 
Each anahulu is named for the characteristic of Ka Mahina’s appearance during the anahulu. The first anahulu is called Ho‘onui as Ka Mahina appears to grow in size from a sliver of light. The second anahulu is called Poepoe since Ka Mahina appears to round during this time. Emi is the name of the last anahulu. Emi means to shrink, which is what Ka Mahina’s appearance does until there is no light.
Below is a chart of helu pō, and how they are grouped in their anahulu. There are other ways in which the pō are grouped. These groupings are based upon cultural and work-related activities. 

Nā Pō Mahina

Do you know how many times Ka Mahina will hiki and kau during a malama? Ka Lā will hiki and kau about 29 to 30 times during a malama. That is why there are 29 to 30 pō in the helu pō. Let’s take a closer look
If you kept track of the number of times that Ka Mahina will hiki and kau during a malama, you will notice that Ka Mahina will hiki 27 to 28 times during a malama. Also, the hiki of Ka Mahina occurs between 50 to 130 minutes later each pō. This is why there are different phases to the appearance of Ka Mahina. These phases are called pō mahina. Therefore, there are fewer pō mahina in comparison to the number of pō during a malama.
Why is there a difference in the number of pō and pō mahina? Ka Mahina moves along its orbit in the same direction as the rotation of Ka Honua. That means that when your position during ka lā hiki returns to the same location in the rotation of Ka Honua in relation to Ka Lā, Ka Mahina has moved ~12° easterly from your perspective. Therefore, Ka Honua has to rotate ~12° more before Ka Mahina comes into view which means that the hiki of Ka Mahina is later and later each pō.  
Ka Mahina’s change in position as it orbits Ka Honua is the reason that its appearance changes as well. As its position changes, the reflection of Ka Lā on the surface of Ka Mahina becomes more visible from our perspective. This is why the ‘ano of Ka Mahina’s appearance changes during its journey back to line up with Ka Lā and begin another malama.  

Activities

Mele Helu Pō

Mele Helu Pō is a song with had gestures that aid in learning the helu pō.  In this activity you will…
  • Search the web for a video of the “Mele Helu Pō”.
  • Learn the mele and hand gestures.  (Do it with a friend.)
  • Test your mastery of the mele by completing the drag and drop activity.

Ka Helu Pō

Study the organization of the chart above. Test your memory of how the pō are organized.
 Organize the tiles into the table. Drag the tile to the correct box.

Nā Pō Mahina

This chart organizes the pō mahina according to their appearance.  The helu pō are represented by the divisions of the pōʻai. 

Muku is the first helu pō that is located at the intersection of Emi and Ho’onui. 

Can you organize the pō mahina to show the phase of Ka Mahina around each pō?