Hello One and All!
In May 2018, Hawaii endured a week-long lava eruption, which drove many residents of the Big Island from their homes. The Kilauea volcano eruption triggered earthquakes, set fire to forests and released gases. This was a a significant natural event but it also held special importance for Hawaiians - to them it was a sign that the volcanic goddess Pele was active.
Pele: Hawaii’s Goddess of Volcanoes and Fire
Pele was reputed to be born in Tahiti, daughter of Haumea, the earth goddess. She lived in peace until she seduced the husband of her sister, the sacred spirit of the sea Na-maka-o-kaha'i. Exiled from Tahiti, she used a sacred canoe and embarked on a voyage to the Hawaiian Islands.
Pele landed on the island of Kauaʻi but Na-maka-o-kaha'i ambushed her and left her for dead. The goddess of volcanoes survived though, and met a man called Lohi’au, whom she fell in love with. Kauaʻi wasn't to her liking because it wasn't hot enough, so she sought out a place that would be satisfactory.
Pele chose to settle on the Big Island, in the crater at Kilauea. There was a problem though; Lohi’au wast still on the island of Kauaʻi. She sent Hi’iaka, her younger sister and patron goddess of medicine and sorcery, to return and fetch her lover. Hi’iaka agreed but on the condition that her older sibling steer clear of her forests.
Forty days passed and Hi’iaka still had not returned from her quest. Paranoia overtook Pele and she began to wonder why the task took so long. These feelings morphed into anger, then the goddess of volcanoes set fire her sister's beloved plants.
Hi’iaka returned, with Lohi’au in tow, and discovered that her forests were heaps of smoldering ash. The younger goddess turned to Lohi’au and made love to him, in full view of Pele. Rage bubbled up in Pele once again and she killed her former lover and threw his body into the deep crater. Hi’iaka dug into the rock and sent pieces flying until she recovered his body.
This old myth may describe 60-year lava flow that occurred in the 15th century CE, which could've made such an impression that it passed into legend and went on to be retold over the centuries.
Thank you for reading!
In May 2018, Hawaii endured a week-long lava eruption, which drove many residents of the Big Island from their homes. The Kilauea volcano eruption triggered earthquakes, set fire to forests and released gases. This was a a significant natural event but it also held special importance for Hawaiians - to them it was a sign that the volcanic goddess Pele was active.
Pele: Hawaii’s Goddess of Volcanoes and Fire
Pele was reputed to be born in Tahiti, daughter of Haumea, the earth goddess. She lived in peace until she seduced the husband of her sister, the sacred spirit of the sea Na-maka-o-kaha'i. Exiled from Tahiti, she used a sacred canoe and embarked on a voyage to the Hawaiian Islands.
 |
| A mural of the Hawaiian goddess Pele on a wall of an art gallery in Pahoa, Hawaii. |
Pele landed on the island of Kauaʻi but Na-maka-o-kaha'i ambushed her and left her for dead. The goddess of volcanoes survived though, and met a man called Lohi’au, whom she fell in love with. Kauaʻi wasn't to her liking because it wasn't hot enough, so she sought out a place that would be satisfactory.
Pele chose to settle on the Big Island, in the crater at Kilauea. There was a problem though; Lohi’au wast still on the island of Kauaʻi. She sent Hi’iaka, her younger sister and patron goddess of medicine and sorcery, to return and fetch her lover. Hi’iaka agreed but on the condition that her older sibling steer clear of her forests.
 |
| The Goddess Pele, painted by Arthur Johnson, Kilauea Visitor Center. |
Forty days passed and Hi’iaka still had not returned from her quest. Paranoia overtook Pele and she began to wonder why the task took so long. These feelings morphed into anger, then the goddess of volcanoes set fire her sister's beloved plants.
Hi’iaka returned, with Lohi’au in tow, and discovered that her forests were heaps of smoldering ash. The younger goddess turned to Lohi’au and made love to him, in full view of Pele. Rage bubbled up in Pele once again and she killed her former lover and threw his body into the deep crater. Hi’iaka dug into the rock and sent pieces flying until she recovered his body.
This old myth may describe 60-year lava flow that occurred in the 15th century CE, which could've made such an impression that it passed into legend and went on to be retold over the centuries.
Thank you for reading!
Comments
Post a Comment