Study Guide: Pele: Goddess of Fire
Banishment and Journey
Pele was born from the female spirit Haumea, who descended from Papa, or Earth Mother, and Wakea, Sky Father, both of whom are descendants of the supreme beings. She is known for her power, passion, jealousy, and capriciousness. According to legend, Pele was banished from her home in Tahiti by her older sister Namakaokaha’i for creating hot spots.
She traveled on the canoe, Honuaiakea, to find a new home with her brother Kamohoali’i. As she journeyed from Tahiti to Hawaii, she stopped at many islands where she tried to create fire, but her sister Nāmaka kept chasing her.
Her mother had given her an egg to take care of, and it later hatched into a baby girl whom Pele named Hi’iaka-i-ka-poli-o-pele (Hi’iaka in the Bosom of Pele) or Hi’iaka for short.
Love and Jealousy
When Hi’iaka became friends with a girl named Hopoe, Pele became jealous. The two sisters fought and Pele was killed. Her body was destroyed, but Pele survives as the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, and her spirit lives in Halemaʻumaʻu on Kilauea. They say that her body is the lava and steam that comes from the volcano. Thus, Pele is also known as “She who shapes the sacred land”.
Another time, Pele saw Lohi’au, a chief of Kaua’i, in a dream and sent Hi’iaka to bring him to her in forty days or else she would punish them. When Hi’iaka arrived, Lohi’au was dead but she called upon the power of the sorcery goddess Uli to revive him.
As Hi’iaka was on the journey, Pele grew impatient and sent a lava flow to Hopoe’s home before the forty days were up. When Hi’iaka returned to Hawaii with Lohiahu, she saw Hopoe covered in stone and knew Pele was behind this. Hi’iaka spitefully embraced Lohi’au in Pele’s view, which further angered her. She then covered Lohiau with lava as well.
Healing and Forgiveness
In time, the sisters saw that their anger had led to the death of the two people who meant the most to them. Pele apologetically brought Lohi’au back to life, and let him decide whom he would choose. Unfortunately for Pele, Lohi’au chose Hi’iaka.
Pele Today
Pele’s spirit now lives in Halemaʻumaʻu of Kīlauea. Kīlauea is an active volcano located on the island of Hawaiʻi. Many Hawaiians believe Kilauea to be inhabited by a “family of fire gods”, one of the sisters being Pele who is believed to govern Kilauea, and is responsible for controlling its lava flows.
Goddess of the Hula
Pele is also the “goddess of the hula”. Many hula dances and chants that are dedicated to her and her family. The hula dedicated to Pele is often performed in a way that shows her intense personality and the movement of volcanoes.