Material: Basalt
Date: 18th — early 19th century
Height: 7 1/4"
Diameter: 5"
Weight: 5.2 lbs
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua Kona HI
The pōhaku kuʻi ʻai, or poi pounder, is a traditional Hawaiian stone tool carved from dense basalt rock. Used for centuries across the Hawaiian Islands, it serves the essential purpose of pounding steamed or boiled taro root (kalo) into the smooth, paste-like food known as poi. Skilled Hawaiian craftsmen shaped these tools with great care, selecting the finest stone to ensure durability and effectiveness. The tool features a distinctive mushroom-shaped or cylindrical head with a narrow waist, designed to fit comfortably in the hand while delivering powerful, controlled strikes. Poi itself was a dietary cornerstone of Hawaiian life, providing vital nutrition and bringing families and communities together during meals. Beyond its practical function, the pōhaku kuʻi ʻai holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, as kalo is considered an ancestral plant in Hawaiian tradition, connecting people to the land, heritage and identity.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand
Material: Basalt
Date: 18th — early 19th century
Height: 7 1/4"
Diameter: 5"
Weight: 5.2 lbs
Provenance: Private collection, Kailua Kona HI
The pōhaku kuʻi ʻai, or poi pounder, is a traditional Hawaiian stone tool carved from dense basalt rock. Used for centuries across the Hawaiian Islands, it serves the essential purpose of pounding steamed or boiled taro root (kalo) into the smooth, paste-like food known as poi. Skilled Hawaiian craftsmen shaped these tools with great care, selecting the finest stone to ensure durability and effectiveness. The tool features a distinctive mushroom-shaped or cylindrical head with a narrow waist, designed to fit comfortably in the hand while delivering powerful, controlled strikes. Poi itself was a dietary cornerstone of Hawaiian life, providing vital nutrition and bringing families and communities together during meals. Beyond its practical function, the pōhaku kuʻi ʻai holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, as kalo is considered an ancestral plant in Hawaiian tradition, connecting people to the land, heritage and identity.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand
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