Onewa was a toa of stone and a member of the Toa Metru chosen by Mata Nui to save the matoran, but turned into a turaga after the toa completed their mission. Onewa was once a matoran who was approached by Toa Lhikan, the sole protector of the city of Metru Nui, and given a toa stone. Onewa later traveled to the Great Temple in Ga-Metru where he met five other matoran: Vakama, Nokama, Matau, Whenua, and Nuju, and were transformed into toa.