Best rainbows on Earth are in Hawaii, scientist says
March 12, 2021 10:42 AM Subscribe
There are many words for rainbows in the Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian words for rainbows describe different manifestations of rainbows that are possible. “There are words for Earth-clinging rainbows (uakoko), standing rainbow shafts (kāhili), barely visible rainbows (punakea), and moonbows (ānuenue kau pō), among others. In Hawaiian mythology the rainbow is a symbol of transformation and a pathway between Earth and Heaven, as it is in many cultures around the world"
Doesn't mention double rainbows...what does it mean?
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:20 AM on March 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Greg_Ace at 11:20 AM on March 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
moonbows????
posted by supermedusa at 11:45 AM on March 12, 2021
posted by supermedusa at 11:45 AM on March 12, 2021
There is a beautiful specificity to rain names as well.
There’s a rain named called Hukiheʻenehu, given to a Hilo rain for when the nehu fish was running. When this misty rain fell off the south-east coast of Hawaii Island, Hawaiians knew it meant to pull up their nets and catch them.posted by spamandkimchi at 11:52 AM on March 12, 2021 [7 favorites]
Rain names like hoʻopala ʻōhiʻa indicated when the native ʻōhiʻa would ripen, and the Hoʻopuluhīnano indicated where on Kauaʻi the hīnano grew.
The kuāua is a name given to a rain without wind extending over a small area. The ʻuala (Hawaiian sweet potato) farmer would count this rain to help determine when it was time to plant.
In addition to recognizing how integral rains are to survival, Hawaiians are also informed spiritually and emotionally by them. Apo pue kahi is a name given to a rain that’s felt after a loved one passes.
Bonus music: Somewhere over the Rainbow by Iz Kamakawiwoʻole.
posted by Nelson at 12:45 PM on March 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Nelson at 12:45 PM on March 12, 2021 [3 favorites]
The best rainbows on Earth are the ones that you get to see.
posted by Splunge at 1:16 PM on March 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Splunge at 1:16 PM on March 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
I just got married... in Maui... to a musician... and he played a ukelele cover of the Israel Kamakawiwoʻole song :)
We did see a rainbow almost every day we were there. Even when there was no rainbow, it felt like one might appear in a moment.
posted by subdee at 7:55 PM on March 12, 2021
We did see a rainbow almost every day we were there. Even when there was no rainbow, it felt like one might appear in a moment.
posted by subdee at 7:55 PM on March 12, 2021
Moonbows - I have seen one in Hobart, Tasmania - there was a full moon and the light from the moon created a rainbow at NIGHT
The colours like washed silken colours - I was so happy that I was in a car with someone else so that we could confirm what we were seeing
Rainbow memories
So - yes you have double rainbows - stunning
But as a result of being an island Tasmania (ie. like Hawaii) with winds from different directions - you end up with rain showers at different altitudes - so I have seen a triple rainbow
The moonbow - just overjoyed to learn that others have seen it
In Sydney, Australia on the 35th floor - seeing a rainbow which was pretty much 300 degrees of the circle - also special
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 8:56 PM on March 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
The colours like washed silken colours - I was so happy that I was in a car with someone else so that we could confirm what we were seeing
Rainbow memories
So - yes you have double rainbows - stunning
But as a result of being an island Tasmania (ie. like Hawaii) with winds from different directions - you end up with rain showers at different altitudes - so I have seen a triple rainbow
The moonbow - just overjoyed to learn that others have seen it
In Sydney, Australia on the 35th floor - seeing a rainbow which was pretty much 300 degrees of the circle - also special
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 8:56 PM on March 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
I have not been/stayed in Hawaii long enough, but here is the local claim
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-02/why-are-there-more-rainbows-in-tasmania/10957924
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 8:59 PM on March 12, 2021
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-02/why-are-there-more-rainbows-in-tasmania/10957924
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 8:59 PM on March 12, 2021
« Older Justseeds Activist Posters | From bog to table Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
songswords about 🌈's?🎶 🐸posted by Insert Clever Name Here at 11:13 AM on March 12, 2021 [4 favorites]