Hau
"Immediately, a strange feeling overwhelmed him. As if a cushion of strength had settled in around him, protecting him from all harm."
— Narrator, Tale of the Toa
| Hau | |
| |
| Kanohi | |
| Title | Mask of Shielding |
| Powers | Protects from known physical attacks |
| Component disks | Enlarge Regenerate |
| Bearers | Tahu Lhikan The Toa Mata (formerly) |
| Pronunciation | HOW[1] |
The Kanohi Hau is the Mask of Shielding.
Lhikan's Hau
One of the more famous Kanohi, Lhikan's Kanohi Hau has had a long history. Initially being a powerless Kanohi, it was transformed into its Great version when Lhikan became a Toa.[2] It remained his primary mask throughout his life as a Toa and was transformed into its Noble version when Lhikan became a Turaga after he gave up his Toa power to create the Toa Metru. Before he died, Lhikan entrusted his Kanohi to Toa Metru Vakama, who later gave the mask to Jaller after Jaller's own Kanohi broke in the voyage to the island of Mata Nui.[3]
Jaller wore Lhikan's Noble Kanohi Hau for over 1,000 years, long enough to leave an imprint of himself in the mask, which was later used to revive him after he had been killed by a Turahk.[4] He was eventually forced to surrender the mask when Karzahni confiscated it and replaced it with a powerless Kanohi Calix.[5]
Shortly after Jaller and his friends escaped Karzahni, Toa Nuva Gali destroyed the entire region with a Nova Blast while fighting Makuta Icarax. Tahu managed to retrieve the mask,[6] and likely returned the mask to Jaller, now a Toa Mahri.[7]
Powers
The Kanohi Hau allows its user to generate a force field that surrounds and moves with them to block physical attacks.[1][8][9][10] The user must consciously activate the shield, and maintaining it mentally taxes the user. As a result, the mask is of little use against unanticipated attacks, and a sufficiently powerful force can cause the shield to come down.[11][12] In addition to tangible projectiles, the shield protects its user from gas- or fire-based attacks,[13] but it cannot prevent Kualsi or Olmak users from teleporting inside.[14][note 1] However, certain "non-physical" or indirect attacks—such as shift in the user's weight from Gravity powers, or a remote manipulation of matter within their shield—can evade a Hau's shield.[17][18][19][20] The only difference between the Great and Noble versions is that the Great version forms a stronger and longer-lasting shield than the Noble version.[21][22]
Kanohi Hau were made from Growth and Regeneration Kanoka in Metru Nui.[23][24] A Kanoka of Shielding would generate a force field around whatever it hits.[25]
Example Usage
- Great: Onua used his Kanohi Hau to protect himself from an attack by an infected Lewa.[26]
- Noble: Turaga Lhikan used his Kanohi Hau to protect himself from Teridax's Shadow Hand until it broke through the shield.[3]
Bearers
Great
- Toa Mata Tahu - Originally exchanged for a Golden Kanohi; has since regained his Hau; also briefly wore the Golden Armor Hau (formerly)[27]
- Toa Mata Gali - Former secondary mask; exchanged for a Golden Kanohi
- Toa Mata Lewa - Former secondary mask; exchanged for a Golden Kanohi
- Toa Mata Pohatu - Former secondary mask; exchanged for a Golden Kanohi
- Toa Mata Onua - Former secondary mask; exchanged for a Golden Kanohi
- Toa Mata Kopaka - Former secondary mask; exchanged for a Golden Kanohi
- Toa Mangai Lhikan - Formerly; became Noble when he transformed into a Turaga
- Gaardus[28][29]
Infected
- Various Rahi - Formerly; since uninfected
- Makuta Teridax (Toa Empire Alternate Universe) - Worn in place of stolen Kanohi Kraahkan[30]
Matoran
- Gaardus[31]
- Kumo
- Lumi
- Marka - Briefly lost after being attacked by a Rahi, now restored[32]
- Pekka
- Zemya
- Lhikan - Formerly; became Great when he transformed into a Toa[2]
Noble
Turaga
- Lhikan - His original mask was given to Jaller by Vakama[3]; was given a replacement Hau on the Red Star[33]
Matoran
- Jaller - Formerly; given to Karzahni upon entrance to his realm[5]
- Radiak - As an Av-Matoran; switched to a Noble Jutlin while a Shadow Matoran, but has since switched back[34]
Forms
| Picture | Description |
|---|---|
 |
Tahu's Great Kanohi Hau |
 |
An Infected Kanohi Hau |
 |
Lhikan's variant of the Great Kanohi Hau |
 |
Lhikan's variant of the Noble Kanohi Hau |
 |
Tahu's Adaptive Great Hau |
 |
The Golden Armor Hau |
Set Information
The original Kanohi Hau (design ID 32505[35]) was first released in 2001. The mask bears the code 4-CR on the inside; in the mask's prototype state, the code was found on the mask's forehead. The two letters are the initials of the mask's designer, Christoffer Raundahl.[36]
During 2001, the original Hau appeared in red in set 8534 Tahu. A black Kanohi Hau hand-painted with the marks typical of Infected Kanohi (design ID 41586) was included in the 8538 Muaka & Kane-ra set and could also be randomly included in 8525 BIONICLE Masks and 8530 BIONICLE Masks. The mask packs could also include the Hau in red, blue, green, white, black, or brown. A yellow Kanohi Hau was released in 1391 Jala, first distributed through McDonalds restaurants Happy Meals during the month of September. A light gray Hau with a chrome silver coating (design ID 42031) was released through 8546 PowerPack.
During the production of 2001, the Hau was prototyped in medium blue, orange, lime green, and tan.[37] Additionally, the prototype mold for the Hau has been seen in red, green, dark gray, and yellow.
In various promotional events during 2001, 14-karat solid gold Kanohi Hau were released as a prize. This version of the mask came with a certificate of authenticity, as well as a chain which could be put through two holes in the back of the mask. The theme of these events usually revolved around the idea of the Golden Kanohi which the Toa Mata would obtain after the collection of all their masks.[citation needed]
The 8559 BIONICLE Krana and 8569 BIONICLE Krana polybags of early 2002 contained one of six gold or silver-colored masks, including the Kanohi Hau (design 43095, accounting for the use of a different material). 2003 saw the mask released worldwide in yellow in 8594 Jaller & Gukko, and for the first time in dark gray in 8596 Takanuva, representing Jaller's former Hau.
The Kanohi Hau was also released along side various gear: 4151847 BIONICLE Trading Card Game 1: Gali & Pohatu and 26374 Bohrok Swarm Trading Card Game: Blue Pack could include the Hau in blue or brown, 4151848 BIONICLE Trading Card Game 2: Kopaka & Tahu and 26377 Bohrok Swarm Trading Card Game: Red Pack could include it in red or white, and 4151849 BIONICLE Trading Card Game 3: Onua & Lewa and 26374 Bohrok Swarm Trading Card Game: Blue Pack could include the mask in green or black. It was also packaged with some releases of 7382 BIONICLE Watch in red. P1706 Pen Pack Tahu also included a red miniaturized Hau, made to fit with the modular pen system.
In 2001, LEGOLAND Park in Carlsbad, California, released a model of the Kanohi Hau made with basic LEGO bricks. It came in green, red, and blue. Each had 168 pieces.
In 2004, a dark gold Kanohi Hau of a new shape (design ID 53069[38]) was released with the 8811 Toa Lhikan & Kikanalo set, worn by Toa Lhikan. The same piece was later released in a Duracell promotional mini-set, 7216 "Gold Good Guy", designed as a representation of Turaga Lhikan. This mask was also included with BIONICLE Chronicles: Boxed Set #1-4 due to a shortage of poisoned Hau Nuva pieces.[citation needed]
In 2005, a larger scale version of Lhikan's Hau (design ID 53393) was included in 8759 Battle of Metru Nui, representing the gate of the Coliseum. The forehead of the mask was designed to house a Rhotuka Launcher.
In 2010, two redesigned Kanohi Hau (design ID 87788[39]) were released in the BIONICLE Stars 7116 Tahu set, one colored red, and the other gold for the Golden Armor. These Kanohi Hau are smaller and more elongated than the original incarnation. Additionally, the 2010 Hau utilizes an axle for connection, whereas the 2001 edition used a stud.
In 2022, Tahu's red Hau was represented in 11021 90 Years of Play using a brick-based build. The following year, it was included in 40581 BIONICLE Tahu and Takua, primarily represented by a printed slope piece (design ID 102087, printed on design 15068).
Trivia
- The Kanohi Hau was the symbol of the Great Spirit Mata Nui.[40]
- When he first faced the Toa Mata, Makuta Teridax shapeshifted his Kraahkan to resemble an infected Hau.[26] He did so to reflect the symbol of his spirit-brother.[citation needed]
- The Coliseum's gate was in the shape of Lhikan's Great Kanohi Hau.[41]
- An enormous Kanohi Hau was located in Artakha.[42][43]
- A mysterious entity in the City of Silver Pocket Dimension resembled a floating Hau.[44]
- Hau can mean "hit" in Māori, and may refer to a concept within that can be understood as the vitality or "aura" of a person, object or location.[45]
References
Notes
See also
| Kanohi | |
| Legendary | Ignika | Vahi | Mask of Creation |
| Great/Noble | Hau | Kaukau | Miru | Kakama | Pakari | Akaku | Aki | Rua Huna | Rau | Mahiki | Komau | Ruru | Matatu Calix | Elda | Suletu | Sanok | Kadin | Iden Arthron | Faxon | Zatth | Garai | Volitak | Tryna Jutlin | Avsa | Felnas | Mohtrek | Shelek | Crast | Mask of Mutation | Mask of Scavenging Pehkui | Mask of Clairvoyance | Kualsi | Mask of Emulation | Mask of Growth | Mask of Rahi Control Avohkii | Kraahkan | Mask of Light and Shadow Mask of Psychometry | Rode | Olmak | Mask of Charisma Olisi | Kiril | Mask of Intangibility | Mask of Possibilities | Mask of Elemental Energy |
| Nuva | Hau Nuva | Kaukau Nuva | Miru Nuva | Kakama Nuva | Pakari Nuva | Akaku Nuva | Aki Nuva | Rua Nuva |
| Others | Golden Kanohi | Infected Kanohi | Mask of Victory | Other Kanohi |
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