A Truck Named Koholā
We named our truck Koholā (Humpback whale) because of the significance these majestic creatures have in Hawaiian culture. In ancient times the Koholā's ivory was thought to bring mana (spiritual power) to those who carved its ivory, the jewelry itself and to the person who wore it. Usually the ivory of the Koholā was reserved for an Ali`i (Chiefs) of high rank. In modern day tourist enjoy a good whale watching tour, however behind the scenes the locals are most excited to see their first whale of the season. I always felt the islands were more alive when the Koholā were in town. A touch of sadness in May when I hadn't seen one for a while and realized the whales had departed on their annual 6000 mile journey to Alaska. The Hawaiian islands provide a critical breeding ground for this endangered mammal. Approximately 15,000 humpback whales are found in the island waters from November through April where they breed, and give birth to their calves. While I was...