Hawaiian Hawk (‘io)

To ancient Hawaiians, the ‘io was a royal figure, strong and aggressive, but also graceful and stately, flying silently high above the earth. The Hawaiian saying “kaha ka ‘io i ka malie” translates as “the hawk stands out in the calm skies,” and is used to denote admiration for a person who stands out in a crowd because of their appearance or charisma. The palace of the Hawaiian monarchy in Honolulu was named ‘Iolani, “Exalted Hawk,” which reflects this long-standing symbolism. Hana Picnic Co. can tell you where you are most likely to see this stately bird.