Hāhālua

Meet the “Hāhālua” – Hawaii’s Gentle Giants

On the Big Island and in Hawaiian culture, the majestic manta rays we swim with are known as Manta ray, but in the Hawaiian language they carry the name Hāhālua (often spelled hahalua). This name offers a beautiful clue into how Hawaiians related to these creatures: it literally breaks down as “hā” meaning “breath” and “lua” meaning “two” — so, “two breaths.”

What exactly the “two breaths” refer to is up for interpretation. Some say it refers to the manta’s large paired “horns” (the cephalic fins) and open-mouth feeding style, as if taking in two great breaths of water. Others suggest it means the manta moves between two realms: beneath the waves and above them (in its occasional leaps) — connecting ocean to sky.

Why Hawaiians revered the Hāhālua

In Hawaiian cultural contexts, the hāhālua holds a special place:

• These rays are mentioned in the second wā (section) of the kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant, which places them among “higher” forms of ocean life — creatures that dive deeper, travel farther, or move more freely in the kai (sea) than simpler beings.

• The hāhālua’s graceful, almost other-worldly movements captivated observers and triggered reflection on our own place in nature:

  “It’s hard to find somebody that doesn’t acknowledge the ‘wow’ effect on our consciousness after seeing hāhālua in the wild.”

• The name and the experience of seeing them leaping or gliding elegantly was seen as a gateway — “huli i ke au hou,” beginning anew in time and space.

Fun & Unique Facts about the Hāhālua

1. Brainy fish — seriously!! These creatures are not just big; they’re smart. Manta rays have one of the largest brain-to-body ratios of all fishes. National Geographic+2Scuba Diving+2 In fact:

• Studies show they may recognize themselves in mirrors — a sign of self-awareness seen very rarely outside mammals. National Geographic+1

• Their large brains likely support complex behaviors: social interaction, memory of feeding sites, and long-distance travel.

2. No sting, no threat — gentle giants - Unlike many rays, the hāhālua lacks a venomous barb/sting. That means when you snorkel or dive with them off Kona, you’re observing one of the gentler large-marine-species encounters.

3. Night-supper under the starsOn Hawaii Island’s Kona coast, the manta-ray night snorkel is legendary. Here’s what makes it happen:

• After dark, tour boats (and guides) use strong underwater lights pointed downward into the sea. Those lights attract plankton.

• The hāhālua show up to feast, gliding and flipping through the plankton-rich water right beneath snorkelers. Some even approach within arm's length or inches away.

• Because of the setup and the sheer size and grace of these rays, experiencing them at night has become a ‘must do’ when visiting the Big Island.

4. A two-realm dancer - Occasionally, mantas leap out of the water — sometimes twisting, somersaulting, or just arching. Scientists still debate exactly why, but possibilities include: shaking off parasites, communicating, or simply as a natural expression of their power.

5. One name among the rays - The hāhālua is one of the very few rays in Hawaiian waters that has its own distinct Hawaiian name. Other rays are more generically called hīhimanu (“elegant bird”) or lupe.