Hau is a young, big-hearted boy that quickly becomes the player's friend as soon as they move to the Alolaregion. At the start of the story, the Pokémon loving boy is often laidback and enjoys Pokémon battles for fun, but over the course of his island challenge, he begins to feel more serious. Hau has a huge appeite, especially for Alola's famous local specialty, malasada, always looking for nearby malasada shops. Hau is typically excited about the Pokémon, people and locations he finds, stating that he took the island challenge the moment he had the chance to.[7] He loves Pokémon battles and battles the player at almost any opportunity, but remembers to heal up the player's party before any begin. Hau often means well, but his sense of curiosity and excitement can irritate others and cause himself to struggle in certain actions and consequences. In Pokémon Masters EX, his character description claims that he's often optimistic and his smile can be infectious.[8] Hau has a sense of humor that others such as Lillie may not respond to very well. In response, this has lead to playful name calling, telling Lillie that she is a "stick in the sand."
Over the course of the Alola-based games, despite knowing that its okay to have fun with Pokémon battles, Hau begins to take his strength and training more seriously. All of Hau's Pokémon battles with the player can be lost without consequences of losing with the story progressing in either direction, with exception of his final battle in either game, where the player must win to progress. Hau learns from the player and Gladion and trains with his grandfather, Hala, who provides Hau with a Z-Ring partway through the story. Hau takes great notice of his strength, wishing to get better to help others when necessary. He enjoys the company of his friends, the player and Lillie, who he travels with throughout the story.
Hau lives in Iki Town on Melemele Island. His currently known relatives include his grandfather, Hala, the kahuna of the island, who he lives with. He affectionately calls Hala "Tutu." One of the villagers in Iki Town, where they live, comments that as a boy, Hau had once witnessed Hala in a rage, which frightened him to the point of tears. Nothing Hala did could comfort him, which he claims is the reason why Hala is "too soft" on Hau. Both of Hau's parents are mentioned but go unnamed. Hau mentions that his father is not in Alola, and is likely on his own adventure, presumably in Kanto, with context saying that he will look for him and Lillie across the world after he asks the player about the region (to which Lillie left to, and the player is from).[9]
Appearance
Hau is big-hearted and constantly has a smile on his face
Hau is a young Alolan boy at around the age of 11. Hau has long dark green hair that he keeps tied up in a ponytail. His bangs are pulled back and two side bangs fall down to chin length. He wears two orange hair clips on the top of his head on opposite sides. This hair style gives him some resemblance to his grandfather, Hala, who wears his hair in a similar way. Hau has rounded eyes with no distinct eyelashes, his irises being completely black, leaving only a white glare in them.
Hau's outfit remains consistent throughout the whole game and between versions. He wears a large, slightly baggy black t-shirt with short sleeves that end at his elbows. His shirt's collar is white that goes all the way around his collar bone, this collar is slightly larger than it looks, and has an orange button on the front to make it smaller, leaving a smaller open loop. Hau wears large orange swimtrunks, ending at his knees. The shorts have a floral decoration to them, leaving darker red-orange leaves and white flowers, this pattern is reminiscent of the Pokémon, Florges. Hau wears a pair of orange sandals, the same color as the darker orange flowers. The shoes are mainly open, but cover the toes, has a singular strap and wrap around his ankles. He has a round orange multi-layered backpack that is the same colors as his pants, a light orange handle connects to the top of it. Two white zippers connect to the largest opening, and a single white zipper connects to a smaller opening. The middle has a darker orange divider going through the middle. Darker orange stracks go around his shoulders like a schoolbag and connect to the bottom.
Hau's only difference in design between versions is that he wears a white Z-Ring created by Hala on his left wrist in Sun and Moon, while in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, he wears a black Z-Power Ring instead.
In the Special Demo, Hau appears as part of the story. After the player, Sun, arrives in Hau'oli City, he introduces himself. In the Tourist Bureau, Sun's mother suggests that they take a look around the city's shopping district. Sun and Hau then get into a fight with Team Skull. After which, Hau directs the player to a Pokémon Center where he provides the player with a Super Potion.
On Sunday nights, Hau will appear near the Malasada Shop.
Website blurb:"Hau is a Pokémon-loving young boy with a big appetite! He's the same age as your character. When you move to the Alola region, he makes friends with you right away. He has a real weakness for malasada, a famous treat in the Alola region, and he is always in search of malasada shops. He is a big-hearted boy who really loves Pokémon."
On Melemele Island
Hau first meets the player after they have chosen their first partner Pokémon, revealing that he already has one. Hau will challenge the player using the first partner Pokémon weak to that of the player's choice. Upon losing, he quickly shrugs off his defeat as he says that he is having fun. Hau's happy-go-lucky attitude affects most of his early battles as he didn't mind losing and just wants to enjoy his adventure. He embarks on the island challenge at the same time as the player, and completes the challenges at around the same pace. He travels along with the player, Professor Kukui and Lillie through Melemele Island. After the player goes through the Trainers' School, Hau brings the player and Lillie to Hau'oli City, where he helps the player upgrade their Rotom Pokédex with the Poké Finder at the Alola Tourist Bureau. After this, the group of three meet back up and take group picture using Rotom Dex's new feature. While Hau does most of his trials at around the same time as the player, he tends to relax first, preferring to explore cities such as local shops first, often doing his trials and tasks after the player. In Sun and Moon, Hau rides on the boat with the player, Lillie and Professor Kukui to Heahea City on Akala Island, showing exciting of reaching a new location and wanting to hurry. In contrast to Lillie, he tends to take things less serious.
On Akala Island
Hau occasionally meets up with the player throughout Akala Island, doing the same trials as them. He frequently asks the player to battle with them, such as in Paniola Town, where he tells them how he wishes to be strong like his grandfather, who has provided him with a Z-RingSM or Z-Power RingUSUM of his own. The two travel to Route 5 and have another encounter with Team Skull, this time with another member by the name of Gladion. Gladion defeats Hau in battle, telling Hau that his Pokémon aren't weak, but Hau doesn't tend to take things too seriously, irritating Gladion. Hau meets up with the player again at the Battle Royal Dome, along with Gladion who once again, have conflicting thoughts on Pokémon battles. Hau makes it back to Heahea City catching up with the main group at Professor Burnet's Dimensional Research Lab and walks with the player through Diglett's Tunnel to meet up with Olivia for his grand trial. Sometime along the way Faba from the Aether Foundation invites Hau to go with the player to Aether Paradise. Hau invites Lillie with them, who rejects and chooses to watch Hau's grand trial with Olivia instead. At Akala Island's sea port, he seems impressed the man-made island of Aether Paradise and is excited to talk about it with the player.
Tour of Aether Paradise
On the tour through Aether Paradise, Hau meets Wicke, who recognizes that he is a trial-goer at the age of 11. Meeting up with Lusamine, at the conservation area, he converses with her and the player about how cruel nature can truly and it's the job of the Aether Foundation to protect Pokémon without harming the natural course. Hau is shocked to hear from Lusamine that she is over forty years old. Lusamine makes the quick comment that the right outfit can make someone look much better. Hau makes an off-handed statement that nobody could probably pull off the president's looks, except for Lillie, invoking a non-verbal response in Lusamine. An Ultra Wormhole appears in front of the group and out comes an Ultra Beast, Hau tells the player to fight and distract the creature as he protects Lusamine from harm. Afterwards, Lusamine tells Wicke to bring them back on their island challenge and boat them to Ula'ula Island.
On Ula'ula Island
On the island of Ula'ula, Hau meets up with Kukui and the player at Malie Garden, who tells them that their next trial is on top of Mount Hokulani at the Hokulani Observatory. Hau does not seem to recognize what an observatory is, but is excited to find out. He splits paths with the player, preferring to find other things to do before challenging the trial. He does his trial off-screen, meeting up with the player again at Route 13, where they butt heads once again with Gladion. Gladion tells them both that if they know about a Pokémon by the name of Cosmog, they should keep it safe at all costs, as it could bring disaster to the Alola region. Hau starts to worry if Lillie is going to be okay. Hau and Lillie stay at the Aether House for the time being while the player does their trial and saves a Yungoos at Po Town. While the player is gone, Aether House is raided by Team Skull, Hau manages to win a battle against a Team Skull Grunt, but says that battles he can't afford to lose aren't any fun. Before the player returns, Hau loses a critical battle against Team Skull's Admin Plumeria when she and her grunts kidnaps Lillie, and is left depressed and in doubt of his own skills because of this. He feels weak for being unable to save Lillie, who in turn, willingly went with Team Skull to protect Hau, Nebby, and any children involved. Gladion overhears this conversation, and berates both Hau and the player for being unable to protect Nebby and Lillie, telling them to go to Aether Paradise with him.
Rescue at Aether Paradise
Hau joins the player and Gladion in their attempt to rescue Lillie and Nebby from the Aether Foundation. Although he starts to doubt about himself and at first hesitates to accompany them because he would probably feel like a burden. During the infiltration in Aether Paradise, he is constantly irritated by Gladion's orders and lack of explaining, both constantly end up arguing. He goes with the player to Secret Lab B to learn more about Cosmog. Hau manages to take down several Aether Foundation Employees with Gladion and the player before reaching Lillie, glad to hear that she is unharmed. He ends up surprised when Lusamine reveals that Lillie and Gladion were her children. Lusamine attempts to open up Ultra Wormholes across Alola using the captured Nebby. At this time, Gladion orders Hau to keep Guzma busy while he deals with the recently arrived Nihilego, but Lusamine and Guzma manage to achieve their objective and escape.
The group takes rest at Aether Paradise for the night, under the protection of Wicke. The following morning, Lillie takes on a new appearance, to which Hau compliments her new look. In parallel to Lillie, who wishes to change herself, Hau expresses his intention to hold back the island challenge and train himself with Hala instead. After everything that happened, Hau has realized how weak he is, especially when compared to the player or Gladion. So he must get his act together if he wants to achieve his goals. Hau stops his journey and island challenge and sets out to train with Hala.
Ending
When the player is about to enter the Pokémon League building, Hau catches up to them and challenges the player to another battle to decide who will face the league first. This time, Hau takes the fight more seriously and asks the player to use all their strength. Upon losing, Hau reveals that this time he really wanted to beat the player and reaffirms his determination to get even stronger. He finally takes battles more seriously. Hau says goodbye to the player and spurs them on for his Pokémon League challenge. The day after the player becomes the Champion, Hau decides to spend time with the player and everyone else at the festival. The following day, Hau runs into the player's house, telling them about a disaster and that the two of them need to go to the Hau'oli's Marina immediately. As it turns out, Lillie is leaving for Kanto without having been able to say it to either the player or Hau, who is devastated by this. Hau tells her that he will write the biggest of letters for when she leaves, and in response, Lillie offers Hau an unknown present. Hau, the player and Kukui say goodbye to Lillie as she takes off on the back of the ferry, leaving Hau in tears. The group of three sit down, and Hau talks about his emotions, Kukui saying that it is okay, and it's best to give people one last smile as they leave. Professor Kukui takes the two kids home back to their parents.
Hau and his grandfather in Sun and Moon's credits
In the credits sequence, Hau can be seen in two different photographs. The first of his photographs shown, and the first one to appear as a whole, has Hau using TaurosCharge, having a race with his grandfather and Tapu Koko. The second photograph has him pictured alongside the player and Lillie in Hau'oli City, being the one that the three of them took at the start of their journey. The last of the images are shown after the credits. The photograph is shown as part of an opened package sent to Lillie with other photographs and a letter with imagery drawn on it. The words "The End" slowly appears on screen.
In the post-game
At the start of the post-game, Hau appears at the player's house to give them the Z-Crystals to the first partner Pokémon they didn't choose at the start of the game, saying that he got them as rewards after having finally had a serious battle with his grandfather. After asking the player and their mom about Kanto, he decides to train hard to one day travel there to find both Lillie and his father, who is a strong Trainer who had hated being the son of a kahuna and thus had moved out of Alola. Hau also warns that he will try to beat the player and snatch them their Champion title, now that he is strong enough. Afterwards, Hau can be found at Iki Town, training a pair of reformed Team Skull Grunts in Alolan sumo.
Hau is one of the possible NPCs who can challenge the player for the title of Champion, implying that he has completed all his island trials. He will always be the first challenger to appear after the player has defeated the Elite Four for the second time. There, Hau has achieved everything he wanted, but he warns that he still has an opponent to defeat, the player.
Website blurb:"Hau is a boy who becomes your friend as soon as you move to Alola. He’s the same age as you. Hau is known to be a laid-back guy, but through the island challenge, he will come to terms with his reasons for participating in Pokémon battles."
After the player has obtained their first partner Pokémon from Professor Kukui on Route 1, Hau will appear and choose his own first partner Pokémon from the remaining two (which is always the one weak to the player's choice) before challenging the player into their first Trainer battle. When his grandfather shows up late in Iki Town, Hau berates him for his lateness. After the player has defeated Hala, instead of boarding Kukui's boat, Hau will invite the player to ride Mantine to Akala Island.
On Ula'ula Island, Hau will give the player a Lycanium Z after battling them after their arrival on the island. After the player defeats Guzma at Malie Garden, Guzma notices Hau and tells him that he shouldn't take the island challenge just because he's a kahuna's grandson. After the Aether Paradise incident, Hau realizes that he keeps failing to protect those he cares about, and becomes even more determined to become stronger.
When Necrozma fuses with Nebby during the game's climax and Ultra Beasts start appearing around Alola, Hau and Hala are seen coming face to face with a BlacephalonUS/StakatakaUM at Mahalo Trail. Hala chooses to entrust the battle to his grandson, who is soon joined in the battle by Tapu Koko. After the Necrozma crisis is over and the player starts taking on Mina's trial, the player encounters Hau and his fully evolved first partner Pokémon at Hau'oli Cemetery, also taking on Mina's trial. He then tells the player that they should have a serious battle once they're both done with their island challenge. Later during Mina's trial, he also shows up outside the Aether House, encountering the player and Guzma there. He encourages Guzma to become something no one's ever been before, before giving the player one last warning of their upcoming serious battle. After the player has cleared Mina's trial, Hala will show up and reveal that he and Hau had finally had an all-out battle, in which Hau had managed to defeat his grandfather.
After the player has defeated the Elite Four, instead of Professor Kukui challenging them to test the player's worthiness, Hau will appear to face the player as their final challenger at the Pokémon League to determine the Alola region's first Champion. This time, Hau takes the fight much more seriously and asks the player to use all their strength. He also once again appears in the Title Defense battles, now being the strongest possible challenger.
During the post-game, Hau will accompany the player to Poni Grove to help the Ultra Recon Squad deal with a group of BlacephalonUS/StakatakaUM that have appeared there. Regardless of how the player fares against the Ultra Beasts, Hau eventually manages to catch one, giving it to the Ultra Recon Squad for research purposes.
After the Ultra Beast incident at Poni Grove has been solved, Hau can be found at Iki Town, going through the memories of his island challenge with his first partner Pokémon. The Z-Crystals he gave to the player in Sun and Moon are now obtained from Hala instead.
Pokémon
Hau's team slightly differs based on the player's first partner Pokémon choice. He chooses the first partner Pokémon that is weak to the player's first partner Pokémon, while his Eevee evolves into the Eeveelution with a type advantage over the player's chosen first partner Pokémon. As seen throughout Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, he tends to release his Alola first partner from its Poké Ball, and mentions it by name frequently as the story progresses.
While Hau has an Alola first partner Pokémon that evolves over time and is seen in every battle, he also has a Pichu that also evolves over time. This Pichu eventually evolves into an AlolanRaichu. Raichu is seen in numerous other pieces of media and cross-canon counterparts, including the Trading Card Game, the anime, and Pokémon Masters EX, being seen as his main partner. In his second battle and onward, Pichu, Pikachu or Raichu can be seen participating in all battles involving Hau.
Hau owns a Tauros in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, which has also made appearances outside the core series, such as Pokémon Masters EX. In Sun and Moon's end credits, a Tauros can be seen ridden on by Hau in a photograph. In this image, Hau is wearing Ride Gear and Tauros is wearing gear itself that resembles the same one used by the player for Poké Ride, implying that this Tauros was summoned through the Ride Pager.
The player will not black out in battles against Hau and the story will progress regardless of the outcome, except for battles taking place at Mount LanakilaSM or the Pokémon League.
Hau joins the player in three Multi Battles, two against pairs of Aether Foundation Employees and one against Faba and an Employee. In the last battle, all of his Pokémon have gained one level.
Hau debuted in No Stone Unturned!, where he and his father had just returned to Alola after a long time away. He was training with Dartrix, only for its attacks to accidentally hit Ash, Rotom, and Pikachu. Hau became excited upon seeing Ash's Z-Ring and asked if he had taken part in Hala's grand trial. Hau then had a battle against Ash, using Dartrix against Rowlet. Hau ended up winning when Ash dropped his Grassium Z. Ash suggested they have another battle, but Hau was about to have a meeting with his father, so he declined but promised to meet up the next day for a rematch. The next day, they conducted their rematch after Rowlet learned how to use Seed Bomb, but it was still not enough to defeat it. In a last-ditch effect, Ash and Rowlet performed the Z-MoveBloom Doom, which was able to defeat Dartrix.
In Battle Royal 151!, Hau competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference with his AlolanRaichu and was able to progress to the Top 16. The match-ups revealed that he would be battling Samson Oak. In Battling Besties!, Hau went up against Samson in the first round of the Manalo Conference. He used his Raichu against Samson's Alolan Exeggutor and eventually won, advancing to the second round.
In The Battlefield of Truth and Love!, Hau approached Ash with his Decidueye upon learning that they would be battling each other in the next round of the Manalo Conference. In Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!, Hau went to search for Ash, who was late for their battle due to his training with Rowlet. After finding him and making it to the battlefield with him, Hau and Ash began their battle. During the battle, Decidueye was able to dodge Rowlet's Bloom Doom, before using its own Z-Move, Sinister Arrow Raid, which was barely avoided by Rowlet. The battle concluded in Battling on the Wing! after Decidueye was defeated by Rowlet's Brave Bird, thus eliminating Hau from the tournament. Though he congratulated Ash for his victory, Hau was left dismayed by his loss, but he was comforted by Hala, who complimented him for the battle.
In Enter the Champion!, Hau attended the award ceremony for the Manalo Conference victor, only for it to be interrupted when a Guzzlord arrived at the stadium through an Ultra Wormhole. In the following episode, Hau helped evacuate innocent civilians to safety, only for another, ShinyGuzzlord to emerge from another wormhole at the shopping area. By combining their Z-Moves, Hau, Gladion, Kiawe, Lana, Lillie, Sophocles, and Mallow managed to successfully knock the Shiny Guzzlord back into Ultra Space.
Hau is an energetic young Trainer keen to take on the Island challenge. His inexperience showed during his debut appearance in No Stone Unturned!, where he was confident though lacked direction in his battle style. Hau's focus and ability to foresee his opponent's strategy had improved by the eve of the Manalo Conference, which enabled him to advance to the Top 8 before he was defeated by Ash in their match in Battling on the Wing!. He is still learning to cope with defeat, though quickly calms himself down. He also values the experience of others as inspiration, especially Ash and his grandfather Hala.
When Ash met Hau again in League Offenders and Defenders!, Dartrix was revealed to have evolved into Decidueye. Hau later used Decidueye during the battle against Team Skull, where it went up against Rapp and her Zubat and won.
Decidueye reappeared in a flashback in Final Rivals!.
In Z-Move Showdown!, Decidueye was used to battle a ShinyGuzzlord to prevent it from the destroying the Manalo Stadium. With a combination of Z-Moves, Decidueye, among others, managed to send the Shiny Guzzlord back into its Ultra Wormhole. Decidueye was later seen watching Ash and Professor Kukui's exhibition match alongside its Trainer.
In Battling Besties!, Hau used Raichu in his match against Samson Oak and his Alolan Exeggutor. The battle ended in Hau's victory, advancing him to the second round.
In The Announcement and the Prize, Hau faced Gladion in the first round. During their battle, Gladion asked why Hau joined the tournament and assumed he wanted to surpass his grandfather Hala. When Hau replied that he thought it would be fun, Gladion called him weak and won the battle.
In A Photoshoot and the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart, Hau met Ilima at the Melemele IslandTrainers' School and requested to join him and the other Trial Captains in confronting Team Skull at their hideout in Po Town. Hau wanted to meet Guzma, who was a student of Hala's, but ended up believing that only victories mattered in battles. After Ilima accepted, Hau went off to buy malasadas, as he believed that with food, everyone might get along easier. Later that day, Hau and Ilima met with Lana, Kiawe, Mallow, and Acerola at Po Town. Their presence alerted Guzma, who demanded to know why his base was being invaded. When Hau and the Captains revealed they only wanted to talk, Guzma agreed on the condition they made it to him first. He then summoned a Pheromosa, Celesteela, and Guzzlord; and had them attack Hau and the Captains. Despite their best efforts, Hau and the others were completely outmatched by the rampaging Ultra Beasts.
In Confusion and Monsters from Another World, Sun arrived at Po Town, only to get caught up in the commotion. Annoyed Hau and the Captains were still fighting, Guzma revealed a Cosmog and had it open more Ultra Wormholes. Gladion appeared, demanding to know where Guzma got the Cosmog and Ultra Beasts from. Revealing his true aim is to destroy Ultra Beasts, Gladion battled the beasts Guzma summoned with his Type: Null. To everyone's shock, Gladion also revealed the Aether Foundation's president, Lusamine, was the one who gave Guzma Cosmog as part of her plan to create a paradise filled with nothing but Ultra Beasts and herself. Eventually, the Ultra Beasts broke out of Po Town's barrier, allowing them to wreak havoc across Ula'ula Island.
Six months later in Shock!! Father in the Pendant!, Hau traveled to Exeggutor Island, where the Trial Captains and island kahunas had been training in preparation to face the Ultra Beasts. Despite Hala initially refusing to let him join the others in training, Hau requested to participate in the battle to protect Alola, revealing that he had been training by himself while traveling around Alola and unknowingly obtained a Sparkling Stone, which was made into a Z-Ring by Olivia. Seeing the Z-Ring and Hau's determination, Hala agreed to train his grandson.
Hau was taken to Resolution Cave, where he sparred with Hala until his Brionne evolved into a Primarina. After finishing their training, Hala decided they should join the others on Mount Lanakila, only to be interrupted by a battle between Tapu Fini and a Buzzwole. After learning the others were also battling the Ultra Beasts, Hau and Hala teamed up to assist Tapu Fini.
Several months later, Hau decided to open a malasada and Tapu Cocoa shop. He was assisted by a reformed Guzma and received recipe tips from Mallow.
Pikachu is Hau's first known Pokémon. It was first used as a Pichu at the Iki Town festival tournament, where it battled Gladion's Porygon. Eventually, it was defeated, forcing Hau to switch for Komala. Sometime during Hau's solo training session, it evolved into a Pikachu.
Komala is Hau's second known Pokémon. It was first used at the Iki Town festival tournament to replace Pichu after it was defeated. In retaliation, Gladion sent out his Type: Null and used it to battle Komala. Eventually, Komala was defeated.
Primarina is Hau's third known Pokémon. It was first seen as a Popplio with Hau at the Melemele IslandTrainers' School. Hau received it from Professor Kukui. Sometime during Hau's solo training session, it evolved into a Brionne. It later evolved into a Primarina after his training with Hala.
Below is a list of cards featuring Hau or his Pokémon.
Hau Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Missing a high-poly model for each Z-Ring type and an overworld for the Z-Power Ring. (Total: 3)
↑The official website and in-game tracks refer to the character as either Your Friend Hau or My Friend Hau, with internal data referring to him as FRIEND.
↑"An optimist whose constant smiling is infectious, he loves malasadas and fun. He takes Pokémon battles where Trainers are in sync with their Pokémon very seriously." (Pokémon Masters EX)
↑Hau: "All right! Then it's decided! I'm gonna get stronger and stronger, and then I'm gonna travel the world with my Pokémon! I'm gonna go find Lillie! And my dad, too!" (Pokémon Sun and Moon)
