In the Hawaiian language, kukini means "runner, swift messenger, as employed by old chiefs, with a premium on their speed."[1]
In ancient Hawaii, Kukini were an elite class of men selected to undergo strenuous physical and mental training to become swift foot runners.[2] Such runners were used in battles, as messengers, spies, and as athletes in foot racing in the Makahiki games.[3] This term has become popular to use as a label for various things. For example, the shoe corporation Nike used the name Kukini for one of the models of their running shoes.
Also, Hickam Air Force Base's newsletter is named "Kukini,"[4] as is the newsletter for the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library named Ke Kukini,[5] and GoGo eBike's Kukini electrically pedal assisted bicycle locate at GoGo Ebike, 1608 Kalakua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96826.[6]
References edit
- ^ Definition in Hawaiian Dictionary Archived 2012-06-30 at archive.today
- ^ Kukini on Ancient Trails in Hawaii (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources)
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Brochure on Ala Kahakai as National Historic Trail, by Helene Dunbar - ^ Hickam Air Force Base - Kukini Archived 2009-05-03 at the Wayback Machine newsletter web site
- ^ Ke Kukini Archived 2008-12-08 at the Wayback Machine web site at the University of Hawaii
- ^ "Security Check Required". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.