Master Builders of the Night
The Menehune are Hawaiis legendary little people – a race of small, skilled craftsmen who work only at night, completing massive construction projects before dawn. Their engineering marvels dot the Hawaiian islands, from fishponds to temples, built with supernatural speed and precision.
Appearance and Nature
Menehune stand about two feet tall, with muscular builds suited to their endless labor. They possess round bellies, large eyes, and sometimes hairy bodies. Despite their small size, they command enormous strength. They are shy creatures, hiding from humans and working only under cover of darkness.
Legendary Constructions
Hawaiian tradition credits the Menehune with numerous ancient structures. The Alekoko Fishpond on Kauai, with its 900-foot wall, was supposedly built in a single night. The Menehune Ditch, an ancient irrigation system, features fitted stones that puzzle modern engineers. These constructions demonstrate technical skills beyond typical ancient methods.
Work Ethics
Menehune projects must be completed in one night – if dawn arrives before finishing, the work is abandoned forever. They demand payment in food, particularly shrimp and taro. If satisfied, they work faithfully; if cheated, they abandon projects and may cause mischief.
Origins and Theories
Some scholars believe Menehune legends recall an earlier wave of Polynesian settlers, displaced by later arrivals. Others see them as nature spirits indigenous to Hawaiian spirituality. The word may derive from manahune, meaning lowly people or commoners in Tahitian.
Modern Presence
Menehune remain beloved in Hawaiian culture, appearing in childrens books, tourism, and local business names. They represent the islands unique blend of Polynesian heritage and local tradition.
