November – Welehu/Hilina Ma

Source: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council

November is the traditional start of the wet season, Ho’oilo. This helps explain two Hawaiian sayings, 

 (1) Ka iʻaa ka wai nui i lawe mai ai
The fish born by the flood

In November, Goby fish spawn in the heavy rain water, and Hawaiians would divert rivers to lead the Goby into fishponds. ʻOʻopu and ʻōpae (shrimp) are washed downstream by the rain, which means other fish (such as Āholehole, the Hawaiian Flagtail) also swim downstream to feed. Fishermen would catch small fish and shrimp using woven baskets made of lama wood (ebony) and ‘ieʻie roots.

Hawaiian fishing basket used to catch shrimp and small fish. Source: http://kaiana.blogspot.com

(2) Kaukepoʻo i ka uluna o Welehu ka malama
Rest the head on the pillow; November is the month

This saying refers to the stormy weather that November often brings (floods, rough seas, etc.), and to the fact that much outside work is finished at this point in the year. 

Sources: Project Kāhea Loko – A Teacher’s Guide to Hawaiian Fishponds; 2016 Hawaiian Lunar Calendar (Classroom edition) by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council