Posted by Uncle Charlie on July 10, 1999 at 05:33:00:
In Reply to: Geckos and Hawaiian Tattoos posted by Robin on July 09, 1999 at 18:21:03:
: Uncle Charlie,
: When I visited Maui in 1996 I noticed quite a few people sporting "Gecko" Tattoos. I am doing a college paper on "lizards" and want to bring into it information on how the geckos are reviewed in Hawaiian culture and the significance (if any) to getting a "gecko" tatto.
: Can you help?
Aloha Robin, what you saw with tattoos of Gecokos is not Hawaiian. Its a modern then or people using the symbol of the Gecko and for the sake commercialism, glorify the Gecko and a "Hawaiian Symbol". We have a aumakua(personal god)that is part lizard and part reptile. It lives in the mountain pools and streams. Our ancestors believed that it had "Magical Powers" and could turn into a beautiful women. Very similar to a mermaid. In fact, we even have that too. It is called a Mo'o, which incidently is what we call a Gecko. The drawing of a Mo'o is only done by people who associate to it. Their "image" of the Mo'o might look different then a gecko. It is how to perceive their god to be. In recorded History, 1790, Kamehameha the Great who unified all the Islands of Hawaii, took his war god Kukailimoku with him on the Battle of Iao Valley. The King of Maui Kalanikupule escaped through Iao Valley and gathered his troops in Lahaina, and fled for Oahu. Kamehameha followed to Lahaina and amased his forces over a 3 yeard period in Lahaina. When he was ready to attack King Kalanikupule on Oahu, he took the Ki'i(image) of Kiha Wahine(the Mo'o God of Lahaina(Moku Ula) and they sailed for Oahu. Landing on Oahu, he pushed Kalanikupule's troops to Nuuanu Pali, equipped with his war God Kukailimoku and the Mo'o God, Kiha Wahine on the front line and conqered Oahu. This action make him King of All Hawaii. This subject of Gods and Goddess is very deep and this is about all I can share with you at this time. Aloha Uncle Charlie