Poi is a traditional staple food in the Polynesian diet, made from taro.

One of the most ubiquitous Hawaiian objects found in museums and private collections worldwide is the humble poi pounder, known in the Hawaiian language as pōhaku kuʻi ʻai or pōhaku kuʻi poi.

The poi pounder (Na pohaku kui poi) originated in Hawaii, where the indigenous people used it as a tool to mash cooked taro into poi, a traditional Hawaiian dish. In order to make poi, the taro was first cooked for three to four hours in an underground oven called an imu.

These pōhaku were most often carved from basalt stones and formed with a rounded base and knobbed head. One derivation often found on the island of Kaua’i is a stirrup, handle shape. Bishop Museum’s ethnology collection contains hundreds of pōhaku ku‘i ‘ai in a number of styles, sizes and materials. * Pukui, Mary Kawena.

Pohaku kuʻi ʻai is a stone food pounder used to prepare traditional staple foods crops. Primarily made from Basalt stone you can describe the pōhaku kuʻi ʻai as ʻelekū pōhaku (porus to semi-porous) or ʻalā pōhaku (smooth with little to no blemishes). The pōhaku kuʻi ʻai is used together with the papa kuʻi ʻai (poi board) in food preparation.

Jun 26, 2017 · Poi was the staple food of Native Hawaiians and the process of getting it from field to smooth creamy purple poi are quite complex. Firstly the corm or plant stem needs to be cooked, either by steaming or baking. Once that is done then it’s time to make poi.

Jan 15, 2018 · Kauaʻi Museum Director Chucky Boy Chock tells a story of Kauai's unique poi pounders and their central importance in traditional Hawaiian culture. The video ...

Kui Poi Pounder Made By Kamaaina Woods in Hawaii Excellent Condition Beautiful hardwood 9"

May 6, 2016 · Our Biggest Kupuna Building Project Ever! Youth involved in our Kuʻi Program recently learned how to make their own pohaku kuʻi ʻai, poi-pounding stones.

This pounder is in good shape though there is a small narrow crack in the handle as shown in pictures. This poi pounder measures approximately 6 in tall and is signed by the maker as shown in pictures.