Origins of the Legends of Pele An ancient Hawaiian deity that continues to hold a special significance in traditional Hawaiian culture, Pele is the Fire Goddess of Hawaii, ruler of fire, lightning, volcanoes, wind, and creator of all the Hawaiian Islands. According to some accounts, the Polynesian goddess of the volcano was born in Honua-Mea in Tahiti to Haumea, an ancient Earth goddess and Kane Milohai, creator of the sky, earth, and heavens. One of thirteen children, Pele was exiled to the Hawaiian Islands by her father due to her legendary volcanic temper. Pele’s oldest brother, Kamohoali’i, gave her a mighty canoe in which her and several of her siblings could travel across a great expanse of the seas. Her battles with her sister Namakaokahai, the sea goddess, made their journey rife with struggle. Pele carried her favorite sister, Hi’iaka, in an egg to the Hawaiian Islands, where she became the first Hawaiian-born descendent of the Pele family. Pele’s Creation of HawaiiOnce she and her party arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, she used her pa’oa (or o’o) stick on Kauai, penetrating the Earth to the core, but was attacked by Namakaokahai. She fled to Oahu, digging fire pits that can be seen in the craters around the island. Pele then created volcanic features on Molokai before going to Maui and originating the volcano Haleakala. The volcanic activity on Maui again attracted Namakaokahai, where she once again fought Pele. Pele was torn apart by her sister, leaving her bones to form a hill on Kahikinui in Maui, while her spirit moved on to the Island of Hawaii. Pele’s death resulted in her becoming a god, making her home on the Big Island and digging her eternal fire pit in Halemaumau Crater atop Kilauea Volcano. Many of Pele’s siblings also reside on the Big Island, such as Poliʻahu, the Hawaiian goddess of snow who lives atop Mauna Kea.
Explore the Legends of Pele the Fire Goddess
