In the Hawaiian language, Kukini means "runner, swift messenger, as the tribal chiefs employed them, giving great value to their speed." In ancient Hawaii, the Kukini were an elite class of men chosen to to undergo rigorous physical and mental training that made them very fast runners.These runners were used in battles as messengers, spies, and as athletes in the Makahiki competition races.This term has become one of popular use to label multiple products. For example, the Nike footwear corporation used the name Kukini to name one of its models of running shoes. The magazine of the Hickam Base of the Air Force is called "Kukini," and also the magazine of the University of Hawaii in Manoa; the name of his library is Ke Kukini.
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