Hoʻokahi Poʻohiwi (Be of one shoulder) is inspired by a phrase that was chanted by Koa (warriors) of Hawaiian Mōʻī (King) Kamehameha. In 1975, the canoes of Kamehameha lined the shores of Oʻahu, hull to hull from Waikīkī bay right around to Waiʻalae. The warriors marched from the canoes towards the inland mountain range of Nuʻuanu in unison, shoulder to shoulder. Their intent was to unify the islands of Hawaiʻi — and as they marched they chanted:

ʻUmia ka hanu! Hoʻokahi ka umauma ke kīpoʻohiwi i ke kīpoʻohiwi.

(Hold the breath, be patient and persist! Walk abreast shoulder to shoulder. Be of one accord, as in exerting every effort to lift a heavy weight to the shoulder and to keep together in carrying it along.)