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The Original Prayer for the Surf
Circuit Court Judge on the Hawaiian Island of Maui, Abraham Fornander (1812-1887) wrote ‘An Account
of the Polynesian Race: Its Origins and Migrations’ in which he described a chant, or prayer, used in
ancient “surf coaxing rituals”.
Known as a “pohuehue”, the chant was named after the morning-glory beach vine which the appointed
kahuna would swing in unison with other frustrated surfers, together lashing the sea “until the desired
undulating waves were obtained, at the same time chanting for a response to their efforts”.
of the Polynesian Race: Its Origins and Migrations’ in which he described a chant, or prayer, used in
ancient “surf coaxing rituals”.
Known as a “pohuehue”, the chant was named after the morning-
undulating waves were obtained, at the same time chanting for a response to their efforts”.
This is the chant:
Ina a ‘ohe nalu, a laila aku I kai, penei e hea ai
EENA A OH-HAY NARLO, A LAY-LA AHKOO EE KY, PEN-NAY EH HAY-YA EYE
Ku mai! Ku mai! Ka nalu mai Kahiki mai,
KU MY! KU MY! KAR NAHLOO NOO-WEE MY KAR-HEEK-EE MY
Alo po I pu! Ku mai ka pohuehue,
AH-LOH POE EE POO! KOO MY KAR PO-HOO-AY-HOO-WEE
Hu! Kai ko’o Loa
HOO! KY KOH-OH LOH-WAH
IN ENGLISH
If there is no surf, invoke seawork in the following manner;
Arise, arise you great surfs from Kahikei;
The powerful curling waves. Arise with the pohuehue
Well up, long raging surf.