Pele the Goddess of Fire

The arrival of Pele to Hawai‘i and how she found her new home where she fell in love. There are also beliefs that our volcano is a part of our fire goddess Pele. Until today Pele is still actively known in the islands especially on the island of Hawai‘i along with many myths of her. Pele’s history goes back into the history of the Polynesian islands. I have read some myths and I found her migrating from the Hawaiian islands was very interesting to read about it actually makes me proud of being Hawaiian.
            There are many myths and beliefs of how people though Pele came to Hawai‘i. For me I had no idea that Pele had come from a land far away. But as I read about Pele in many books like Pele goddess of Hawai‘i’s volcanoes, Hawaiian legends of volcanoes, and Pele: Volcano goddess of Hawai‘i. She has come from the land Kahiki which is Tahiti in Hawaiian language. Pele was born of her mother Haumea and her father Moemoeali‘i in the ancient land.¹ One of the beliefs of Pele leaving Kahiki was a problem she had with her older sister. Pele’s oldest sister’s name is Nāmakaokaha‘i. Her sister expelled her from the ancient land because she seduced the husband of her older sister.¹ Pele was the goddess of fire and her older sister was the goddess of sea and of water. When Pele and her sister was in a feud about her older sister’s husband Nāmakaokaha‘i pursued Pele to journey to the north towards the Hawaiian islands.¹ Therefore Pele had set out for a new home. Now this is only one of the many myths that had forced Pele to leave Kahiki. In other myths it was said that Pele had asked her father if she could go on to a journey.
            As they set out for the land of Hawai‘i Pele took her favorite little sister Hi‘iakaikapoliopele along with her on her journey. From the reading it was said that Hi‘iaka was born an egg and was carried at Pele’s bosom on their journey to Hawai‘i.¹ From one of the many books it said that Pele was sent to her oldest brother Kamohoali‘i, “king of dragons, the god of sharks.” He was the one that prepared the canoe for her journey. She traveled north with some of her relatives who where her companions until she reached the island of Ni‘ihau.² Along her journey to the islands as she continued to carry her sister Hi‘iaka at her bosom. These are some information on how Pele had journeyed to the Hawaiian islands. When Pele had reached the Hawaiian islands she started to dig to find her home upon each mountain. Because her sister Nāmakaokaha‘i was upset with her she used her powers against her sister Pele. Nāmakaokaha‘i was the god of sea obviously that is why they do not get along because water and fire do not mix. As Pele moved from Ni‘ihau and on to Kaua‘i digging but her angry sister would deluged Pele’s digging with water.¹ She moved more and more down but as she gets starts to dig her home it would get flooded because of her sister. At this time the gods had believe that water was more powerful than fire.¹ After fighting with her sister near Hāna, Maui where Pele was torn apart. This place Kahiki nui is where Na iwi o Pele lays this is the bones of Pele. Pele spirit was freed and elevated to godly status.¹ Now Pele’s spirit was looking for a home finally at the island which is Hawai‘i, Pele made a permanent home at Mauna Loa the largest mountain on earth. Also along this pretty journey from one of the myths Hi‘iaka, Pele’s youngest sister was born and formed into a beautiful young girl.
            Pele’s youngest sister Hi‘iaka was very different from Pele. Pele would be angry causing earthquakes and lava flows out of Kilauea. Hi‘iaka loved the forest, flowers, and the people of Hawai‘i.(4) She did save things to help save the people of Hawai‘i. She loved and resided in Keaau a part of Puna.(4) While Pele and Hi‘iaka lived in Kilauea a strange man by the name of Kamapua‘a arrived to Pele’s home. Kamapua‘a had a desire for Pele he could not get her off his mind.¹ Kamapua‘a was out to find Pele by following the golden strands of her hair he soon came to the home of Pele.(4) Hi‘iaka saw the man coming and wanted her sister Pele to put on her best out fit to show off to this man. As the youngest sister greeted him he told her that he is looking for an attractive yellow bird which obviously was Pele. To Kamapua‘a, Pele was the most beautiful thing he saw yet, therefore Pele took interest and invited this stranger into her home. After sometime Kamapua‘a was able to catch the affection of Pele and they soon were married.(4) As time passed their love for one another stood strong until one day she asked her husband “Am I still attractive to you?” Her husband replied of course have I ever seen any other woman since. Pele was very upset and her temper grew and grew then she chased him away. As he was chased away he turned into a pig, a red fern, grass, and a tiny fish. Therefore when offering Pele gifts at her home the gifts consist of pork, red fern, grass, and a tiny fish which is our state fish. This is when her husband decided that he no longer wanted to be with her. Pele and Kamapua‘a had split the land amongst each other the mountain Kohala and Mauna Kea was his and below the land line was Pele’s.(4) That is where Pele made a promise with her husband that volcanic rock would not touch Hilo.(4) Pele loved her husband and did not want to be with out him she regert chasing him away. So she tried to regain his love back but because she had such a bad temper he did not want to be with Pele. That is when she explained to him someday we will be together again and she will form another island for the both of them.
            There are many stories and myths of Pele our goddess. Her history goes on of being in Hawai‘i it continues till this day. Many people come to take a piece of her home but some don’t realize when you do that our goddess will repay you with bad luck because she belongs at her home which is Hawai‘i. Our goddess of fire Pele does have feelings that she shows within Mother Nature. The history of these sotries is important to the people because Pele till this day is still active. This also brings to the people the history of one of many Polynesians where they have come from and made Hawai‘i there home. I believe that Pele is a legend that lives on.