September – Māhoe Hope/Māhoe Mua

SOURCE: WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

September sees the Mauiili o ke Haulelau equinox, when the sun rises and sets directly in the east and west. This month, preparation for the Makahiki (New Year) begins and the kapu (taboo) on ‘opelu (Mackerel Scad) was lifted. 

In September, Kioea (bristle-thighed curlew) and ʻūlili (wandering tattler) migrate to Hawaiʻi and can be found along the shore. The whistle-like call of the kioea told fishermen to go to sea and “take the food.” 

Lawelawe ke ō! Lawelawe ke ō!
Take the food! Take the food!

The calls of the Kioea (bristle-thighed curlew), which migrate to Hawaii in September, signal to fishermen to go out in their canoes. Source: ebird.org