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Nā Kaulana Mahina

Mahina Hoʻonui

As Mahina ho’onui (grows) from Hilo to Hoku, our kilo time is orientated to napo’o ana o ka Lā (sunset) and into ahiahi (twilight). The malama begins as Hilo becomes visible during ahiahi. The window of time to actually see Mahina Hilo is usually between 5 to 40 minutes. From ahiahi on Pō Hilo, the duration of Mahina’s visibility grows each night.

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Muku • Hilo • Hoaka

Because Mahina is so thin and close to ka Lā, Hilo and Hoaka are only visible during ahiahi. Occasionally, Mahina Hoaka may be visible slightly before ahiahi. To find Hilo, look komohana (westward) shortly after napo‘o ana o ka Lā. Hilo may be seen above ka hālāwai komohana (western horizon) during ahiahi (twilight). When we kilo at the same time on the following evening, we will see Mahina Hoaka higher above the horizon than Hilo.

Nā Mahina Kū

As Mahina moves further away from ka Lā, she grows larger. During the Kū moons, we see Mahina become visible earlier in the day and travel later into the night. By Kūpau we may be able to kilo Mahina as early as kakahiaka (morning) and as late as aumoe (late evening).

Nā Mahina ʻOle

The ‘Ole moons occur around the first-quarter moon. In general, the ‘Ole moons spend nearly equal time in Lā (day) as they do during Pō (night). This is most evident around Mahina ‘Olekūlua. On this moon, we see that Mahina is “hapa lua mua” (first-quarter moon). She is illuminated to around 50%. Mahina spends the first half of her journey in Lā (day) and the second half in Pō (night).

Mahina Poepoe

As Mahina continues to ho’onui (grow), she will reach a stage where she becomes poepoe (round). This occurs around Mahina Huna and lasts until Mahina Lā’aupau. During poepoe, Mahina sets after midnight. This means that each moon is visible on two calendar dates.

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Huna • Mōhalu • Hua

From Huna to Hua, Mahina rises during ‘auinalā (afternoon) and by wana‘ao (dawn). Mahina spends most of her time at night. Sometimes Hua is included as a “full moon.”

Akua • Hoku • Māhealani

The fullest moons of the malama. During the piha moons, and especially around Hoku, Mahina spends almost her entire time at night. Mahina is "opposite" ka Lā. Mahina rises around the time ka Lā sets. The following morning Mahina sets around the time ka Lā rises.

Kulu & Nā Mahina Lā'au

After the piha moons, Mahina becomes Kulu. Mahina Kulu is usually the first moon to rise in the dark of night (kihi o ka Pō). During the Lā’au moons, Mahina begins rising closer to midnight (during aumoe) and further into kakahiaka. By Lā'aukūlua, we can shift our focus to kilo Mahina during wana'ao. For the rest of the malama, wana'ao becomes the most reliable time to kilo.

Mahina Ho'ēmi

When Mahina is ho’ēmi, she is waning. In general, from Mahina ‘Olekūkahi to Muku areconsidered to be the ho’ēmi moons. As the malama ends, Mahina becomes Muku. Hervisibility has “ceased.” In a way, Muku is a bridge between two consecutive malama.

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Nā Mahina 'Ole

The ‘Ole moons rise during ‘auinapō (mid to late night) and set around awakea (midday). We can see that during wana’ao of the following morning the ‘Ole moons are near the meridian above. This is most noticeable around ‘Olekūlua as Mahina spends the first half of her journey in Pō (night) and the second half in Lā (day). Mahina ‘Olekūlua is “hapa lua hope” (third quarter moon). She is illuminated to around 50%.

Nā Mahina Kāloa

Kāloa is a form of the word Kanaloa, an Akua associated with the ocean. Kāloakūkahi and Kāloakūlua usually rise during ‘auinapō, and Kāloapau usually rises during pawa.
The Kāloa moons are the last moons to be visible in the light of day.

Kāne • Lono • Mauli • Muku

Kāne, Lono, and Mauli are often considered stages of Mahina Kāne. During wana’ao, each of the Kāne moons moves closer and closer to the eastern horizon before disappearing into the light of day. Mauli, however, is so thin that she is only visible in clear weather, if at all. Finally, at the very end of the malama, Mahina becomes Muku. She is no longer visible. This is around the time of the New Moon (0% illumination).

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