Pōmai-Sumotori "Good Luck Symbol"

The pomai-sumotori (Good Luck Sumo) sometimes referred to simply as “Da Sumo Statue” is a Hawaii figurine which has stories that have people believe in strength and longevity to the owner. The Word Pomai is the Hawaiian word for good fortune or a blessing of profit and prosperity while the word Sumotori is Japanese for Sumo Wrestler. In the appearance of the statue it is round and fat with a look of being ready or prepared for something, and in the case of restaurants its for a meal made for a hungry person.

The figure depicts a Hawaiian sumo, traditionally a local-born Hawaii Sumo, in a Japanese Sankyo Stance. The figurines are known to be displayed in the center of a restaurant and if there are food challenges a Chinese Pasi Gong accompanies the figure. Pomai Sumotori could come in different colors, styles, and varying degrees of detail.

There were a few who use to call it “Buddha” for its large size and similar sized stomach as a statue of the buddha. Many businesses would find the pomai-sumotori attractive as a good luck charm and many had one in the entrance for customers to rub the statues stomach if they too wanted some good luck.

Origins
Sumo is the national sport of Japan, but its connection is Hawaiian-American with champions being from Hawaii and known around the world as super strong wrestlers. This had started with Takamiyama (Jesse Kuhaulua) in 1964, then with Konishiki (Salevaa Atisanoe), followed by Akebono (Chad Rowan) and Musashimaru (Fiamalu Penitani). The Sumo Statue was said to be made from the enthusiasm that locals had for the sport of Sumo when cheering on their legendary sumotori, some of which reached the top rank of “Yokozuna”.

Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo Town
These Hungry sumo wrestlers were known for their gigantic appetites for food and portions important to them, so they would scope out places that gave great portions that would fulfill the needs of a sumo wrestler. These would be known as sumo portions: Sumo Stacker Pancakes, Sumo Loco, Sumo Saimin, Sumo Slam, and more. Back in the day there would be sumo wrestlers who would come to Hawaii back in the day when Hawaii sumotori were active along with other celebrities from overseas who would visit as well. It is commonly believed that the Pomai-Sumotori originated in Big Island, Hawaii as the mascot of Ken’s House of Pancakes.

Story
There are many Stories about the meaning of the Pomai-Sumotori, of which are mostly of the good ol days. One such story is about a young boy who lived near Ken’s House of Pancakes in Hilo where he would go and eat loco moco after sports practice and he would be eating alone with his walkman cassette radio looking up at the Sumo Statue.

After practice one time the fat brown local boy came into the restaurant and only had a few dollars which wasn’t enough for his loco moco. Sitting there, the boy noticed the sumo statue, strong and dignified in silence; he felt he heard a whisper that sounded like “dreams are possible” and to his surprise the usual order of loco moco was served up to him and a Japanese family nearby waved at him. Years later the boy moved to the mainland and was visiting the islands to his favorite restaurant and the boy saw the family that played for his meal years ago when he was a young boy. The Gong was hit and the staff said “Sumo!” and the family was shocked to see all their orders had been upgraded to Sumo sized portions and the boy waved back and said “hoʻomaikaʻi au i kou kōkua mai” (I am grateful for your help).