Eggsquisitely Mythical #19 : Hawaii
- Dr. Fizza Younis
- Apr 25
- 11 min read
Hello, fellow eggs and mythology lovers!
For our next Eggsquisitely Mythical issue, we are doing a deep dive on the myths and legends of Hawaii.
BACKGROUND
Hawaii is a breathtaking archipelago in the Pacific Ocean and the only U.S. state made entirely of islands. Known for its stunning volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and world-famous beaches, Hawaii offers both natural beauty and rich Polynesian culture.
Hawaiian mythology is rich with fascinating deities, epic tales, and deep connections to nature. From fiery volcano goddesses to mischievous tricksters, the gods and goddesses of Hawaii shaped the islands’ culture, traditions, and even landscapes.
Gods & Goddesses
Kāne – The Creator God is the god of light. He’s called Tane in Tahiti, New Zealand, and southeastern Polynesia. His domains are life, freshwater, forests, and sun. He is one of the four major Hawaiian gods and the chief creator of the world. He brought life to the islands by filling them with plants, animals, and fresh water. Unlike other gods associated with war or destruction, Kāne represents harmony and growth. The Hawaiian word man (Kane) comes from his name.
Kū – The God of War & Strength is a fierce warrior god who represents strength, leadership, and protection. Ancient Hawaiians prayed to him before battles and built wooden kiʻi (carved images) in his honor. His softer side? He’s also the god of fishing and canoe-building. The Hawaiian word for stand tall (ku) comes from his name.
Pele – The Goddess of Fire & Volcanoes is perhaps the most famous Hawaiian deity—a passionate and powerful goddess who controls lava flows and creates new land. She’s both a creator and destroyer, known for her fiery temper and dramatic love stories. Legends say if you take volcanic rocks from her home, she’ll curse you until you return them. Some claim to see Pele as a beautiful young woman or an old hag wandering near volcanoes. During volcanic eruptions, people prayed to Pele and threw precious items into the crater as offerings to the goddess (e.g., eruptions of 1868 & 1881).
Kanaloa – The God of the Ocean, Wind, & Underworld is the mysterious god of the ocean depths, often paired with Kāne as his opposite or companion. While Kāne rules the light, Kanaloa governs the unseen—the deep sea, spirits, and even black magic. Some legends say he once rebelled against the other gods. Ancient Hawaiians offered prayers to Kanaloa before long voyages for safe passage. Squids, octopuses, and the deep ocean are considered his symbols.
Hina – The Goddess of Moon & Weaving being the most recognized goddess throughout all the Polynesian islands, Hina is featured in several mythologies. In Hawaii, she was the sister-wife of Ku, and her symbols are moonlight and tapa cloth. She is a beloved goddess associated with the moon, feminine power, and crafts like tapa (bark cloth). Many versions of her exist. Some say she’s Pele’s sister, others say she fled to the moon to escape earthly troubles. The Hawaiian word for gray (hina) reflects the silvery glow of moonlight.
Lono – The God of Fertility & Agriculture is associated with fertility and the heavenly manifestations of clouds, storms, rain, and thunder. He’s known by his full name Lono-nui-noho-i-ka-wai, meaning Great Lono Dwelling in the Water. He is known to bring prosperity, good harvests, and peace. During the Makahiki season, Hawaiians held games, feasts, and ceremonies to thank him for his abundance. He’s also linked to the sweet potato (ʻuala), a staple crop.
Fun fact: Some believe Captain James Cook was mistaken for Lono when he arrived in Hawaii during Makahiki.
Kamapuaʻa – The Hog God is a shapeshifting deity (part man, part wild boar) who controls rain and vegetation. His love-hate relationship with Pele led to epic battles where fire and water clashed, shaping Hawaii’s landscapes.
Kamohoaliʻi – The Shark God is the elder brother of the volcano goddess Pele and a shark god. He takes human form, commonly as a high chief and a cliff overlooking the crater of Kilauea is sacred to him. People believe that the ashes and smoke from the volcano never come to the cliff because the goddess Pele fears her brother.
Maui – The Trickster Demigod isn’t a full god but a legendary demigod known for his clever (and sometimes reckless) deeds. He fished up the Hawaiian islands, captured the sun to make days longer, and even tried (and failed) to win immortality for humans.
Laka – The Goddess of Dance is honored in Hawaii by islanders through hula. It is a traditional dance that tells the stories of gods and goddesses. And each dance step is a chant or a prayer. She was also the sister of the volcano goddess Pele and the goddess of the forest.
Haumea – The Fertility Goddess is believed that she has many forms and identities, but she is often considered the patroness of childbirth invoked in pregnancy and childcare. Some myths say that she is a sister of the gods Kane and Kanaloa. Others depict her as a wife of Kanaloa, with whom she had several children. In some legends, she is also identified with Papa, the goddess of the earth, and wife of Wakea.
Wakea – The Creator of the Islands: In some Hawaiian myths, the creator of the islands are believed to be Wakea and his wife Papa. He’s known as Wakea in Hawaii and the rest of Eastern Polynesia, but he’s called Mangaia in the Cook Islands. In one legend, it is said that Wakea seduced the goddess Hina. And she was the one to give birth to the Hawaiian island of Moloka‘I.
Legendary Creatures
Menehune – The Mysterious Little People are Hawaii’s version of elves and dwarves, small, secretive people who work at night, building fishponds, roads, and temples in a single evening. Some say they’re only a few feet tall, while others claim they’re invisible. The Menehune Ditch on Kauaʻi is said to be their handiwork, a perfectly constructed aqueduct that still stands today.
Moʻo – The Dragon-like Water Guardians are powerful, often female, dragon-like beings who protect freshwater sources. They can appear as beautiful women, giant lizards, or even mist. Some moʻo are benevolent, while others drown intruders. The famous Mokuhinia Pond on Maui was said to be home to a moʻo guardian.
Night Marchers (huakaʻi pō) – The Ghostly Warriors are the ghosts of Hawaiian warriors who march in a spectral procession, chanting and beating drums. If you see them, you must lie face down and avoid eye contact or risk being taken by the dead. Some say torches light their path, while others report an eerie green glow.
Kupua – The Shapeshifting Tricksters are supernatural beings with many forms. They are sometimes helpful, sometimes mischievous. Some can turn into sharks (kupua mano) or owl-like creatures (pueo). Others, like the dog-man Kupua, play tricks on humans. The Hawaiian hero Kama Puaʻa was a kupua capable of transforming into a giant hog.
Pueo – The Sacred Guardian Owls are more than just owls—they’re considered ʻaumakua (family guardians) who guide and protect their descendants. Many Hawaiians believe seeing a pueo is a sign of good luck or a warning. They watch over travelers and warriors. Some say pueo can lead lost hikers to safety or even possess supernatural powers.
Nanaue – The Shark-Man of Waipiʻo is half-man, half-shark hybrid. His dark secret is that he human flesh. He was born with a shark mouth on his back, inherited from his shark-god father. Raised as a human, he couldn’t resist his hunger and secretly preyed on villagers. When discovered, he fled into the ocean, becoming a true shark. Some versions say he still lurks near Waipiʻo Valley.
Kihawahine – The Lizard Goddess is a powerful moʻo spirit and a Hawaiian royalty. Kihawahine is one of the most famous moʻo, taking the form of a giant lizard or a beautiful woman. She was worshipped by chiefs and is said to guard sacred places, especially on Maui. Some believe she appears before major events as an omen.
The Green Lady of Wahiawa (Wahine ʻŌmaʻo) – A Ghostly Warning is a ghostly woman dressed in green who appears near Wahiawa on Oʻahu. Some say she’s the spirit of a woman who died tragically, while others believe she warns people of coming harm. Drivers claim to see her on the roadside before accidents happen.
LEGENDARY STORIES
Pele's Revenge
Long ago, on the lush slopes of Hawaiʻi Island, there lived a young warrior named Ohiʻa. He was strong, handsome, and full of mischief. He was the best athlete, the cleverest storyteller, and the pride of his village.
One night, at a great feast under the moonlight, his eyes met those of Lehua, a maiden so gentle and radiant that the very stars seemed to dim in her presence.
Lehua’s father was a stern but wise chief. He saw the way the young man’s voice faltered when he beheld her. Amused, he granted Ōhiʻa permission to court his daughter. Their love burned as fiercely as the sacred fires of Pele; quick, passionate, and pure. They married, and for a time, their life was bliss.
But the fire goddess Pele, who roamed the land in human form, once came upon Ohiʻa while he worked. Struck by his charm, she approached him with all her divine beauty. Yet Ohiʻa, ever loyal to Lehua, bowed respectfully and said, "Forgive me, great one, but my heart belongs to another."
Pele’s eyes darkened like gathering storm clouds. Before she could argue, Lehua arrived, bearing a basket of sweet bread and fruit for her husband. The way Ohiʻa’s face lit up at the sight of his wife stoked Pele’s fury into an inferno.
"You dare refuse a goddess?" she shrieked. Her human form melted away, revealing her true self of a towering column of flame and smoke. With a wave of her hand, she struck Ohiʻa down, twisting his strong body into a gnarled, leafless tree.
Lehua fell to her knees, clutching the rough bark that had once been her husband. "Please!" she wept. "If you will not spare him, then turn me into a tree as well, so we may never be parted!"
Pele, satisfied with her cruelty, vanished into the mist of the high mountains. But the other gods had seen her wrath and pitied the lovers. Though they could not undo Pele’s curse, they gave Lehua a different form. That of a vibrant red blossom, soft as her touch and bright as her spirit. They placed her upon the branches of the ʻōhiʻa tree, forever binding the two lovers together.
To this day, the ʻōhiʻa lehua tree blooms across Hawaiʻi’s volcanic slopes. The people say that when rain falls suddenly in the sunshine, it is Lehua weeping, for if a flower is plucked from the tree, the skies grieve with her. And those who know the tale whisper that this, too, is Pele’s revenge: a reminder that even the gods cannot escape the pain of a broken heart.
This legend explains the sacred bond between the ʻōhiʻa tree and its lehua flowers, a symbol of undying love. It also serves as a warning: do not cross Pele, for her wrath is as fierce as her flames. And above all, never take what is not yours, whether it be another’s love… or a blossom from the ʻōhiʻa tree.
The Half-Petaled Naupaka Flower
There is a very unique flower in Hawaii called Naupaka Kahakai. It’s a bush that grows by the seashore with small white flowers. An interesting thing about this plant is that the flower only has half the petals, as if it’s missing the other half. Strange, right? But there is a story behind it:
Long ago, in the lush valleys of Hawaiʻi, there lived a beautiful maiden named Naupaka. She was the daughter of a high chief, beloved by her people for her kindness and grace. One day, while walking along the shore, she met a handsome young fisherman named Kaui. Though he was a commoner, his heart was brave and true, and Naupaka found herself falling deeply in love with him.
Kaui, too, was enchanted by Naupaka’s gentle spirit, and the two vowed to be together forever. But when Naupaka’s family discovered their love, they were furious. "A chief’s daughter cannot marry a fisherman!" they declared. Heartbroken, the lovers begged the gods for help, but even the priests could not overrule tradition.
With tears in her eyes, Naupaka took a delicate white flower from her hair and tore it in half. She gave one-half to Kaui and kept the other for herself.
"If we cannot be whole together in life," she whispered, "then let even the flowers bear witness to our sorrow."
Kaui, devastated, retreated into the mountains, where he planted his half of the flower. It grew into the Naupaka Kuahiwi (mountain naupaka), its petals curved like a sorrowful embrace. Naupaka remained by the shore, where her half of the flower became the Naupaka Kahakai (beach naupaka), its blossoms forever reaching toward the sea, as if searching for her lost love.
To this day, the two flowers grow apart—one in the mountains, one by the sea—each incomplete without the other. The people say that if you bring the two halves together, they will form a perfect bloom, a symbol of love that even the gods could not destroy.
And sometimes, when the wind carries the scent of salt and rain between the cliffs and the shore, it is said to be Naupaka and Kaui, whispering their eternal longing across the distance.
This story explains why the Naupaka Kahakai flower looks half-formed and is often called "the broken flower." It serves as a reminder of love lost to pride and tradition and the enduring hope that one day, what is broken may yet be made whole.
Over the years, the legend has been told in different ways, but the ending has always remained the same.
Other Legends
Hawaiian folklore is rich with stories that explain the beauty and mysteries of the islands, many of which do not involve gods, goddesses, or mythical creatures. Instead, these legends focus on human experiences, the natural world, and the wisdom passed down through generations. Below are three such tales, drawn from Hawaiian tradition, that reveal the deep connection between the people and their land.
1. The Legend of the Night Marchers (Huakaʻi Pō)
While some versions of this story involve spirits, the core of the legend is rooted in history and cautionary wisdom. Long ago, it was said that certain paths in Hawaiʻi were sacred, reserved for ancient warriors and chiefs who marched at night. These processions, called Huakaʻi Pō, were not ghostly apparitions but rather a cultural practice, honoring the dead by retracing their steps in silence.
The people knew never to walk these paths after dark, not out of fear of spirits, but out of respect. If someone accidentally crossed the path of a night procession, tradition demanded they lie face-down, eyes closed, until the sound of drums and chants faded. To look was to show disrespect, and to interrupt was to invite misfortune.
This legend served as a way to preserve sacred sites and teach reverence for the past. Even today, some locals avoid certain trails at night, not because they believe in ghosts, but to honor the memory of those who came before them.
2. The Story of the Menehune (Hawaiʻi’s Ancient Builders)
The Menehune are often described as mythical dwarf-like people, but some historians believe they may have been early settlers of Hawaiʻi, small in stature but incredibly skilled. Legends say they built fishponds, temples, and roads in a single night, disappearing before dawn.
One famous tale tells of a chief who ordered the Menehune to build a massive fishpond on Kauaʻi. They agreed but demanded absolute secrecy, no one could watch them work. However, the chief’s daughter peeked from her hut, and when the Menehune saw her, they stopped mid-task, leaving the pond unfinished.
This story likely reflects the ingenuity of early Hawaiian engineers, whose techniques seemed almost magical to later generations. The "Menehune" may have been a real group of people whose legacy was romanticized over time.
3. The Legend of the Menehune Fishpond (Alekoko Fishpond)
Long ago, a chief named Alekoko wanted a grand fishpond to provide his people with an endless supply of fish. He called upon the Menehune, known for their supernatural craftsmanship, and demanded they build it for him.
The Menehune agreed but gave one strict condition: no one could watch them work. If anyone peeked, they would abandon the project immediately.
That night, the Menehune began their work—thousands of them passing stones hand-to-hand in a human chain stretching from the mountains to the shore. They moved with incredible speed, stacking rocks so precisely that no mortar was needed.
But Alekoko’s sister, Kilikii, was too curious. She crept from her hut and watched in amazement as the tiny workers toiled under the moonlight.
Just before dawn, the Menehune spotted her. Furious that their rule had been broken, they stopped instantly, leaving the fishpond unfinished.
To this day, the fishpond remains, its walls only partially complete. Some say you can still hear the faint echoes of the Menehune’s chants near the water.
Historians believe the pond was likely built by early Hawaiian settlers, but the legend serves as a lesson to respect agreements.
Why These Legends Matter
These stories still hold deep meaning. They teach:
- Respect for tradition (as in the Night Marchers’ paths).
- The value of skilled labor (celebrated in Menehune tales).
- The consequences of broken promises (seen in the fishpond legend).
Hawaiian folklore isn’t just about magic; it’s a reflection of the people’s relationship with their history, land, and each other.
That concludes today's discussion about Hawaiian Mythology. We hope you enjoyed learning about the enchanting myths and legends of Hawaii and how it influences their culture today.
Check out these other articles written by former team members:
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