Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes, occupies a central place in Hawaiian mythology and culture. Known for her fiery temper and her role as both a creator and a destroyer, Pele’s influence stretches across the Hawaiian archipelago, particularly in relation to the volcanic activity that has shaped the islands. In Hawaiian cosmology, Pele is much more than a figure of nature; she represents the dynamic forces of life and the inevitability of change. Her story is rich in symbolic meaning and has been passed down through generations of oral tradition, songs, and chants (known as mele and oli). Pele’s myths and legends help explain the natural phenomena of Hawaii’s volcanic landscape while also offering a deeper understanding of the Hawaiian worldview.
Pele is said to have been born in the mystical land of Kahiki, often considered an ancient homeland for the Hawaiian people. According to legend, she was the daughter of Haumea, the goddess of fertility and childbirth, and Ku-waha-ilo, a god associated with war and destruction. Pele’s fiery nature was evident from a young age. In many versions of the myth, her temper and propensity for destruction caused significant turmoil, leading to conflict with her siblings. One of her most significant rivalries was with her sister, Namakaokahai, the goddess of the sea. This rivalry became one of the foundational stories explaining Pele’s eventual migration to Hawaii and her role as the goddess of volcanoes.
The conflict between Pele and Namakaokahai is often depicted as a struggle between the elements of fire and water. Pele, with her fiery nature, would unleash volcanic eruptions, while Namakaokahai, representing the sea, would quench the flames with her oceanic powers. Their battle began in Kahiki and followed Pele across the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands. Legend has it that Pele was chased away from her homeland by her sister after a particularly destructive incident involving one of her volcanic eruptions. Namakaokahai, angered by the devastation, pursued Pele, determined to extinguish her fiery essence.
As Pele fled across the Pacific, she stopped at various islands, trying to find a place where she could reside and create without interference from her sister. Each time she attempted to create a home, Namakaokahai would send ocean waves to extinguish the fires of Pele’s volcanoes. The chase between these two sisters is said to have shaped much of the Hawaiian landscape, as Pele’s attempts to settle resulted in the formation of new volcanic islands. Eventually, Pele found refuge on the Big Island of Hawaii, where she established her permanent home in the crater of Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It is here, at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, that Pele is believed to reside, overseeing the volcanic activity that continues to shape the island.
The dynamic between Pele and Namakaokahai reflects an essential theme in Hawaiian mythology: the balance of opposites. The interplay between fire and water, creation and destruction, is not seen as a simple conflict but rather as a necessary relationship that sustains the natural world. Pele’s eruptions, while destructive, also bring new land and fertility to the islands, a process that symbolizes renewal and growth. In this sense, Pele is not only a goddess of fire and volcanoes but also a creator deity whose actions contribute to the ongoing formation of the Hawaiian Islands.
Pele’s role as both creator and destroyer is evident in the way she is worshiped and revered by the Hawaiian people. Volcanic eruptions, while dangerous and life-threatening, are also seen as manifestations of Pele’s power and her presence on the islands. Hawaiians honor Pele through chants, offerings, and ceremonies, particularly during times of volcanic activity. Offerings to Pele often include items such as food, flowers, and lei (garlands), which are left near the volcano to appease the goddess and ask for her protection.
One of the most famous stories involving Pele is her love affair with a mortal man named Lohiau. Pele, in her travels, heard of Lohiau’s beauty and prowess as a dancer and musician, and she became infatuated with him. She sent her younger sister, Hi‘iaka, to retrieve him from the island of Kaua‘i. Hi‘iaka agreed to this mission on the condition that Pele would not harm her beloved forest of lehua trees in her absence. However, during the journey, Pele’s jealousy got the better of her, and she set fire to Hi‘iaka’s sacred forest. When Hi‘iaka returned and discovered the destruction, she sought revenge by embracing Lohiau, an act that enraged Pele even further. In a fit of rage, Pele killed Lohiau, but later, filled with remorse, she brought him back to life. This tale highlights both the passionate and volatile nature of Pele, as well as her ability to transcend the boundaries between life and death.
The story of Pele and Hi‘iaka is often interpreted as a representation of the delicate balance between destruction and creation, a theme that is central to Pele’s character. Pele’s jealousy and anger lead to devastation, but her love and remorse allow for renewal. In this way, Pele embodies the cyclical nature of life, where destruction is not the end but rather a prelude to new beginnings.
Pele’s influence is not limited to the realm of myth and legend; she continues to be a significant figure in contemporary Hawaiian culture. Many Hawaiians believe that Pele’s spirit is present in the land, particularly around the active volcanoes. It is said that she can take on various forms, including that of a beautiful young woman, an old hag, or even a ball of fire. There are numerous stories of Pele appearing to travelers and locals, often testing their kindness or respect for the land. Those who show disrespect, particularly by taking rocks or other natural items from her domain, are believed to face Pele’s wrath in the form of bad luck or misfortune.
The practice of taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii as souvenirs has become a subject of controversy, largely because of the belief in Pele’s anger toward those who remove items from her domain. Many people who have taken rocks from Hawaii have reported experiencing a string of bad luck upon returning home, leading to the widespread belief that Pele’s curse is real. As a result, there are frequent reports of individuals mailing rocks back to Hawaii in an attempt to appease the goddess and lift the curse. This phenomenon speaks to the enduring power of Pele’s myth in modern times and the respect she continues to command.
Pele’s presence is also felt in the natural world, particularly during volcanic eruptions. When Kīlauea or other Hawaiian volcanoes erupt, many locals view these events as manifestations of Pele’s power. The molten lava flowing from the earth is seen as Pele’s way of reshaping the land, a process that, while dangerous, is also viewed as a natural and necessary part of the island’s ongoing evolution. Hawaiians often gather to watch eruptions, offering chants and prayers to honor Pele and ask for her protection. This reverence for Pele highlights the deep connection between the Hawaiian people and the land, as well as their understanding of the natural forces that shape their environment.
In addition to her role in volcanic activity, Pele is also associated with the fire element, both literal and metaphorical. Fire is a symbol of transformation, passion, and power, all qualities that Pele embodies. In Hawaiian culture, fire is not only a destructive force but also a purifying one. It is through fire that the old is cleared away to make room for the new, a process that Pele oversees in her role as the goddess of volcanoes. This connection between fire and renewal is central to understanding Pele’s significance in Hawaiian mythology.
Pele’s influence extends beyond the Hawaiian Islands, as she has become a symbol of volcanic activity and the power of nature in a broader sense. Her stories have been shared and adapted in various forms, from literature to popular culture, where she is often depicted as a figure of immense power and beauty. Despite these modern interpretations, the essence of Pele’s character remains rooted in her dual role as both creator and destroyer, a force of nature that cannot be controlled or tamed.