Pele
Pele is the goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes in Hawaiian mythology. She is believed to live in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater of Kīlauea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pele is one of the most popular and well-known figures in Hawaiian mythology and is revered as a powerful and sometimes capricious deity.
According to legend, Pele is the daughter of the goddess Haumea and the god Kane Milohai. She was born in Honua-Mea, a land of spirits, and was later cast out by her father after a dispute with her older sister, the water goddess Namakaokaha'i. Pele journeyed across the Pacific on a canoe, eventually arriving on the island of Hawaii. There she began her fiery work, creating the volcanoes and shaping the land.
One of the most popular myths associated with Pele tells of her feud with her sister Namakaokaha'i. In the story, Pele seeks to build a home on the island of Kauai, but her sister sends waves to destroy it. Pele then travels to other islands in search of a new home, but Namakaokaha'i continues to thwart her efforts. The feud eventually results in a volcanic eruption on the island of Maui, with Pele emerging victorious.
Pele is also associated with the creation and destruction of the Hawaiian islands, with many Hawaiians believing that her power is responsible for the volcanic activity that shapes the land. She is revered as a powerful and awe-inspiring deity, and her presence is still felt today by those who live near the volcanoes that bear her name.
In addition to her association with fire and volcanoes, Pele is also known for her capricious nature. She is often portrayed as both benevolent and wrathful, and many Hawaiians believe that she punishes those who disrespect her or her sacred land. Despite her temperamental reputation, Pele is also revered as a symbol of strength, creativity, and resilience, and is a beloved figure in Hawaiian mythology.