Kukini

In the Hawaiian language, kukini means "runner, swift messenger, as employed by old chiefs, with a premium on their speed." [ [http://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.5/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&r=1&hs=1&e=q-0hdict--00-0-0--010---4----den--0-000lpm--1haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home---00031-0000escapewin-00&q=kukini&j=pm&hdid=0&hdds=0| Definition in Hawaiian Dictionary] ] In ancient Hawaii, Kukini were an elite class of men selected to undergo strenuous physical and mental training to become swift foot runners. Such runners were used in battles, as messengers, spies, and as athletes in foot racing. [http://crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/20-1/20-1-3.pdf] 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. [ [http://www.trifuel.com/Detailed/Air_Kukini-763.php Nike Air Kukini : Trifuel ] ] Also, Hickam Air Force Base's newsletter is named "Kukini," [ [http://www2.hickam.af.mil/library/hickamkukini/kukiniarchives/index.asp Hickam Air Force Base - Kukini Archives ] ] as is the newsletter at University of Hawaii named [http://libweb.hawaii.edu/uhmlib/kekukini/kekukini.html Ke Kukini] .

References

External links

* [http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/hpd/hpcal92.htm Kukini on Ancient Trails in Hawaii] (Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources)
* [http://crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/20-1/20-1-3.pdf Reference to Kukini as a Messenger]