In response to Bigfoot Sightings in Hawaii

H. Floresiensis - IsaacMao - Flickr

    Not too long ago, Bigfoot Evidence ran a story on Bigfoot sightings in Hawaii:

"It is often said that there have been sightings of mysterious ape-men in every state exept Hawaii. Well, Hawaii may not foster the classic Sasquatch of the Pacific Northwest, but they may have something somewhat similar. Local folklore tells of hairy dwarfs who purportedly travel in large groups of up to twenty individuals."

     Reading this story about the menehune, I was reminded of the 2003 discovery of Homo Floresiensis. Native peoples of the Indonesian islands often told stories of “the old woman of the forest”, a small human who looked like a tiny, old lady, but ran off when approached. The islanders say these “little people” lived on the island up until the arrival of European settlers. Reports of other little peoples have trickled in from the deep jungles of Africa and South America. These stories were commonly discounted as folklore, until the discovery in 2003. A team of anthropologists uncovered the remains of what would come to be classified as Homo Floresiensis (or “Hobbit"). H. Floresiensis was not uncommon compared to other early hominins, except that it stood only three feet tall (see insular dwarfism) and may have lived up until twelve-thousand years ago (but the blink of an eye in evolutionary terms). This date range makes it possible that Hobbit could have existed -- even interacted  -- with modern man. 

    There have been many menehune sightings over the years and an 1820 census on Hawaii listed 65 inhabitants as "menehune." Natives of the islands believe these mythical hill people are the first settlers of Hawaii. 

    Is it possible that these "hairy dwarfs" in Hawaii may be something similar to H. Floresiensis? The Hobbits on Flores died of thousand off years ago, but perhaps the species continued to exist in other places? Or, maybe these menehune are a relative of Flores' little people? Whatever the case, I strongly feel the mystery hominids of Hawaii are deserving of more investigation.

    For additional reading on the menehune, click here.

    Thanks for reading!

 - A.Z.