9 Fascinating Stories About Hawaiian Mythology
Posted by Maris on 10th Oct 2023
Like many indigenous peoples, the ancient Hawaiians felt a strong connection to the aina (country), and used legends about their gods and goddesses to explain everything from lava flows to the formation of the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaiian folklore is filled with passion, betrayal, love, and death that will astound you. Which aspects of Hawaiian mythology pique your interest the most?
Pour a glass of gin for Pele.
Many Hawaiian legends feature Pele, the Volcano Goddess. It is customary to welcome a young, beautiful woman dressed in red or an older lady with white hair with aloha and offer her assistance. If you refuse to assist, your family will face death or misery. To fully be in her good graces, you must visit Halema'uma'u crater and make offerings of flowers, food, and gin to her.
Puna + The Dragon Goddess
Kihawahine and Haumea were the two principal goddesses worshiped at Hawaiian temples in Hawaiian mythology. When the time came for Haumea to marry, she chose Puna, the chief of Oahu, as her spouse. Kihawahine, on the other hand, wanted chief Puna to be her spouse. Kihawahine enticed Puna out to sea one day while seeking for the perfect surf place. Puna was carried to Molokai, where the "couple" resided in a cave for a long time until he realized she was a dragon goddess with a harsh temper. Puna was eventually able to flee with the help of his brother-in-law, Hinole, and return to his wife, Haumea, though Kihawahine never stopped seeking for him.
Red Lehua Blossoms should never be picked.
Ohia and Lehua were young lovers in Hawaiian mythology, but one day Pele met Ohia and decided she wanted him for herself. She transformed him into an ugly, twisted tree after he rejected her. Pele refused Lehua's request to change him back, and the other gods, feeling sad for the young girl, transformed her into a lovely red flower and placed her on the tree, ensuring that the lovers would never be separated again. Legend has it that as long as the blossoms remain on the tree, the weather is sunny and fair; but, when a bloom is pulled from the tree, rain falls like tears because Lehua cannot bear the thought of being parted from her love, Ohia.
Watch out for the Menehune
Menehune are dwarf-like beings who live far from civilisation in luxuriant woodlands. These two-foot-tall creatures are represented as mysterious, yet they also have superb workmanship and can build whatever they want. They are credited with constructing Kauai's Menehune Fish Pond in a single night.
Don't bring Lava Rocks home with you.
One of Hawaii's most popular modern tales warns against Pele's curse, which holds that anyone who takes rock or sand from the Hawaiian islands will suffer bad luck until the goods are returned. It is unknown whether this belief is the consequence of Pele or a dissatisfied park employee, but each year, hundreds of people return packages full of rocks and sand back to the island to alleviate their ill luck.
The myth of the Hog God.
Kama Pua'a was a great chief as well as a devastating monster, a hog deity with superhuman abilities. He was said to be able to shape-shift and compel the rain and streams to obey him. Kama Pua'a traveled to the island of Hawaii, to Kalua Pele - the pit of pele - where the fire goddess dwelt with her people, one day. Pele and Kama Pua'a were married, but only for a short time since Pele couldn't stand Kama Pua'a's hog instincts and behaviors. Pele unleashed streams of flowing lava, while Kama Pua'a called for the ocean levels to rise. Pele eventually enlisted the aid of the gods of the underworld, and Kama Pua'a was forced to surrender and transform himself into a fish. The humuhumunukunukuapua'a has strong skin to withstand the boiling waves it must swim through to reach the depths of the sea. According to Hawaiian tradition, the fish may emit a noise similar to a hog's grunting.
Bring no pork across the Pali.
Pele and the demigod Kamapua'a - a half-man, half-pig - are fabled to have had a horrible split and agreed never to see each other again. The myth goes that bringing pork along the Pali Highway, which connects the Windward side of Oahu to Honolulu, is forbidden because it represents transporting Kamapua'a from one side of the island to the other. According to folklore, if you try to transport pork across, your automobile will stop somewhere along the way and an elderly woman with a dog will appear. You must give the pork to the dog in order to continue your journey.
Two Naupaka Flowers should be together.
The Naupaka is one of Hawaii's most common plants, found along the beaches and in the mountains, and its blossoms appear to be torn in half. Naupaka was a lovely princess who fell in love with Kaui, a commoner, according to tradition. Because the lovers could never marry, Naupaka promised to remain in the mountains, while Kaui remained near the sea. Naupaka pulled the flower from her hair and gave half of it to Kaui before they parted ways for the last time. The neighboring plants were so upset that they began to bloom only half-flowers the next day in commemoration of the star-crossed and separated lovers.
The Night Marchers' legend.
The Huaka'ipo, commonly known as the Night Marchers, are the souls of ancient Hawaiian warriors cursed to march the islands indefinitely. The Night Marchers are supposed to march in a single line, bearing torches and weapons and drumming and chanting. To protect yourself, lie face down on the earth in reverence. Otherwise, you will be killed by the Night Marchers. So it is said.
Isn't Hawaiian mythology fascinating? We dare you to discover another state that has as many amazing myths and stories as Hawaii! What are your favorite Hawaii myths? Please tell us about them in the comments section.