Mahina (Lunar Cycles)
Hina Circles — What It Is
Hina Circles are a virtual, guided workshop series offered by Ka Mahina Project that meets weekly on Zoom to explore Hawaiian moon cycles and how they relate to our personal lives. The sessions focus on moʻolelo (story-based teaching) about Hina and the phases of the mahina (moon), and the intention is to help participants reflect on their own rhythms and cycles in everyday life.
What Happens in a Hina Circles Workshop
Weekly 1-hour gatherings over Zoom
Guided talk-story format centered on Hina and Hawaiian moon teachings
Discussion about how the moon’s phases connect to our personal experiences and life patterns
Tools to help participants begin building their own “Mahina calendar” of awareness and reflection
Space to share and reflect with others in a supportive group setting
Why would I want to learn about the moon?
Most of us are moving through life on someone else’s clock, deadlines, notifications, burnout cycles without any sense of natural timing. The moon offers a different way to orient your life.
Learning the moon cycles helps you:
Understand when to act and when to wait
Recognize patterns in your energy, emotions, and focus
Make decisions with better timing instead of constant effort
Stop pushing during times meant for rest or reflection
The moon doesn’t tell you what to do. It helps you understand when to do it.
What are moon cycles, really?
Moon cycles are simply the natural phases the moon moves through each month, each carrying a different energetic quality. In Hawaiian ʻike (knowledge), the moon (mahina) has specific names and functions. Some days are good for planting, some for fishing, some for rest, some for ceremony. When you learn these cycles, you begin to see: Why some days feel clear and productive, Why other days feel heavy, emotional, or quiet, How timing affects outcomes not just effort. This isn’t abstract knowledge. It’s applied awareness.
What will this actually do for me?
People who study the moon with Hiʻilani often say they:
Feel less rushed and less reactive
Make decisions with more confidence
Stop forcing things that aren’t ready
Feel more connected to their intuition
Gain a steady rhythm they can return to
You don’t become dependent on the moon. You become more self-aware.
What kind of decisions can I make using moon cycles?
Moon awareness can support:
When to start or pause projects
When to rest, reflect, or release
When to have important conversations
When to focus on healing or integration
When to call things in—and when to let them go
It’s especially helpful for:
healers and practitioners
creatives and entrepreneurs
parents and caregivers
anyone feeling burnt out or disconnected
What rituals or practices can I do?
Hiʻilani teaches simple, accessible practices, not elaborate ceremonies. These may include:
Short reflection or journaling practices
Release or intention-setting rituals
Observational practices (watching patterns instead of forcing change)
Personal rituals that fit into real life
You don’t need to be “spiritual.” You just need to be willing to pay attention.
Who is this for?
This work is for people who: Feel out of sync with themselves or life, Want grounded spiritual tools, Are curious about Hawaiian perspectives on time, Want practices they can actually use, Prefer learning that feels human and practical. You don’t need prior knowledge. You don’t need to be Hawaiian.
How this fits into your life or practice
Whether you’re:
on a personal healing journey
a coach, healer, or facilitator
running a business or household
navigating a transition
Moon knowledge becomes a quiet compass something you return to again and again.
Start here (Free Resources)
If you’re new to moon cycles, we recommend starting with one of these:
Ka Mahina Moon Phase Calculator
Find the Hawaiian moon phase for the day you were born.
Hawaiian Lunar Calendar Overview
A general explanation of the importance of the moon (mahina) in Hawaiian life and timing — how kupuna used lunar rhythms to guide planting, fishing, and living in harmony with nature
Nakoa Foundation - Names of the Hawaiian Moons
Hawaiian Moon Phase Chant
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