ʻAhu ʻula - Mana, Form, and Function
Anciently, the ʻAhu ʻula (feathered capes and cloaks), represented the mana (spiritual power) and divine status of the aliʻi (chiefs) and was the aliʻi’s most prized possession along with the lei palaoa (whales tooth pendant). However, the ʻahu ʻula was not only a beautiful symbol of authority and power worn by aliʻi, but effective “battle apparel” and the most intricate feather work found throughout Polynesia. The ʻahu ʻula would normally be worn over the shoulders, but in battle it was pulled around one side of the body and held forward with one arm to deflect daggers, clubs, or a spear. In this position one arm would be exposed and free to wield a weapon such as a lei o mano (shark tooth club), the preferred close contact weapon of the aliʻi.

To fabricate an ʻahu ʻula red feathers were taken from the ʻiʻiwi and apapane birds, yellow form the ʻoʻo and mamo, green from the ʻoʻu , akialoa , and amakihi, and black feathers from the ʻoʻo , mamo , ʻiʻiwi , and apapane. Feathers were tied over a netting of olonā cord while chanting prayers of honor and protection for the future owner. Both the ʻoʻo and mamo are small predominately black birds with spots of yellow on their tails and or wings. Because of the scarcity of these birds and the limited number of yellow feathers, yellow was the rarest and most prized color to use in an ʻahu ʻula and represented an aliʻi of the highest rank.

The colors, size, and design of an ʻahu ʻula reflected the rank, status, genealogy, and mana of the aliʻi who wore it. In addition, because ʻahu ʻula reflected an aliʻi’s genealogy it was believed that the ‘ahu ‘ula provided the ali’i with sacred protection provided by the mana of his amakua (ancestors). In battle, these brilliant ʻahu ʻula also helped koa identify and rally to their chiefs. Though there are many ʻahu ʻula designs, there are a few recurring geometric shapes. These include the “crescent shape” representing the rainbow. Rainbows signal the presence of gods and aliʻi and are a divine manifestation. For Hawaiians rainbows were viewed as pathways for the gods, by which they traveled between heaven and earth. The crescent also represents a battle formation with the koa aliʻi positioned in the center. The “bird shape” another prevalent shape, represents the iʻo (Hawaiian Hawk), a symbol for aliʻi. Another common shape is the “double crescent shape” representing a double rainbow, a family sign and higher manifestation and symbol for aliʻi. This shape also has reference to “dualism” that permeates Hawaiian perception and thought.

Kamehameha’s Cloak

In contrast, Kamehameha’s ʻahu ʻula (on display at the Bishop Meuseum) consist of an estimated 500,000 mamo feathers, taken from some 80,000 birds. The ʻahu ʻula is pure yellow in color and reflects a regal dignity unmatched in beauty of simplicity. Kamehameha’s unique ʻahu ʻula is free from the common crescent shapes and other design elements that represent genealogy and nobility among the chiefly lines of Hawaiʻi. As such, Kamehameha’s ʻahu ʻula represents the unification of the Hawaiian islands and stands as the ultimate symbol of absolute power and authority, a status acquired not only by noble birth, but by deed and conquest.

Today, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I (Royal Order) honors the traditions, rituals, and protocols of our ancestors, and the memory of Kamehameha with the continued practice and use of the ʻahu ʻula as established by the Royal Order over one hundred and forty years ago (est. 1865). The Royal Order uses ʻahu ʻula of primarily two colors, red and yellow. There are also different ʻahu ʻula of varying colors and designs for each respective office within the Royal Order.

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