Discover the List of 12 Hawaiian Gods in this article. We reveal their most famous legends and myths that have been passed down to us.
List of Hawaiian Gods
Hawaiian mythology is rich in supernatural figures, such as gods and men, or ghosts and goblins. According to research, this religion is said to have at least four thousand gods, closely related to the universe. Hawaiian gods have a deep connection with their people, giving meaning to everything they do from the creation of the world to death.
Image gallery of Hawaiian gods
Hawaiian gods
The history of the Hawaiian gods shapes the way of life of most of the indigenous peoples who make up the Hawaiian culture. There is no activity carried out by these ethnic groups that is not consulted with their gods. Below is a list of Hawaiian gods that you should know about.
1.- Papatuanuku
She is Mother Earth in Hawaiian mythology. Together with her husband Wākea (sky father), she is the ancestor of all peoples and Kalo, and mother of all the islands. Her descendants were the Ariki (high-ranking nobles, kings) of Hawaii, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and the Maori. These lines penetrated all the islands of Polynesia.
2.- Haumea
Haumea is a goddess of fertility who takes many forms in Hawaiian mythology. She is the sister of Kane and Kanaloa and is one of the oldest deities worshipped in the islands. She is often identified as the wife of Kanaloa, god of the underworld. As a goddess of fertility, Haumea is also recognized as the patroness of childbirth.
3.- Pele
She is a goddess of fire and one of the most revered deities in Hawaiian mythology. She presides over lightning, dance, wind, volcanoes, and violence. Her poetic name is Ka wahine ai honua, or “she who devours the earth.” She is both creator and destroyer. She throws molten fountains into the air and rules over great lava flows.
4.- Hi’aka
She is Pele’s younger sister and patron saint of hula dancers, singing, sorcery, and medicine. She was born from the mouth of her mother Haumea in the form of an egg. It was Pele who carried his younger sister under his armpit until she matured. Her family line is also called Hi’iaka and is responsible for supporting the clouds, providing rain, thunder, and lightning.
5.- Poliiʻahu
She is the goddess of snow and enemy of the goddess Pelé. She resides on the island of Mauna Kea. Poliiʻahu met the noble chief Aiwohikupua on the eastern slope of Mauna Kea. The two fell in love, and Aiwohikupua took Poliiʻahu to his home on Kauaiʻi. Poliiʻahu is defined by her supernatural beauty and is considered one of the most beautiful goddesses in Hawaii.
7.- Lilinoe
She is the goddess of mist and fog. She is Poliiʻahu’s younger sister and, like her sister, a great rival of the volcano goddess Pele. The sisters are the antithesis of Pele: spirits of snow-capped mountains (therefore wet mountains) instead of fiery mountains. She is also the goddess of Haleakalā, of dead fires and desolation. Her name literally means “fine mist.”
8.- Hina
She is the goddess of the moon. She is described as an intelligent, beautiful, and determined young woman. In her early days, she created bark cloth for her husband, but grew tired of not being appreciated for her work. She turned to the moon and discovered that she preferred his company. Her husband was furious at her infidelity, but the goddess managed to escape and found happiness in the heavens.
9.- Nāmaka
She is the goddess of the sea. She is the daughter of Ku-waha-ilo and Haumea, whose other children are Pele, the sisters Hi’iaka, and the brothers Kama. Nāmaka and Pele often fought and eventually became enemies. Nāmaka began sending tidal waves over Pele’s lands. The goddess of fire grew tired of Nāmaka’s attacks and finally managed to overcome her sister, bringing peace to her islands.
10.- Kalamainu’u
She is a lizard goddess who cares for the lizards of Hawaii. She once captured Puna-ai-koa’e and held him prisoner in her cave. He managed to escape for a day, but was warned not to speak to anyone. As soon as he left, however, he spoke to friends who told him the true nature of his lover. She returned to her cave and saw Kalamainu’u in his lizard form. She accepted him and became his lover, but in a fit of rage, she killed the informants.
11.- Waka
She is another lizard goddess who is worshipped by the female chiefs of Hawaii. Legend has it that she was sent in the form of an eel to drive Lono-kai out of the land of Kū’ai-he-lani. When Lono-kai caught the eel, he cut it open and out came a beautiful woman who tried to seduce him. In the narrative of Lā’ie-i-ka-wei, Waka acts as guardian of a beautiful girl until she can find her a suitable husband.
12.- Kapo
She is a goddess of witchcraft and black magic. She was born to Papa (or Haumea) and is the mother of Laka. Her sisters are Milohai, Kamohoaliiʻi, Pele, Nāmaka, and Hiiʻiaka. She once saved Pelé from being raped by Kama-pua’a by sending her flying vagina as a decoy. Kapo is also an expert in the arts of herbal medicine.
13.- Laka
She is a goddess of fertility who resides in forests, vegetation, rain, love, music, and hula. She is the daughter of Kapo and wife of Lono. Laka is best known for creating the Hula, which is a form of dance accompanied by singing or song (known as mele). As the goddess of vegetation, she is associated with the nourishing elements of light and rain.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, Hawaiian gods have represented a well-defined way of life throughout the history of indigenous peoples. No matter what ethnic group you belong to, the most important thing was to follow the signs of your gods in order to enjoy their protection throughout your life.
