FAQs About Hawaiian Mythology

The Hawaiian islands are home to a culture rich in mythological history. In ancient Hawaii, the people filled their picturesque landscape with Tiki Gods. Perched upon cliffs, the ancient Hawaiian Kahunas carved these mythical gods who peered from the rainforest or out from the land among the coastal caves. Temples of worship and sacrifice accompanied the villages and islands.

Q: Did the ancient Hawaiians really participate in human sacrifice?

A: As with many other cultures around the world, ancient Hawaiians did practice some form of human sacrifice. When the great explorer Captain James Cook came to Hawaii in the late 1700s, he was shown the burial sites of victims of sacrifice. Oddly enough, Cook was later killed a fight with Hawaiians.

Q: Who are the major Tiki gods?

A: Kane was identified as the first Tiki god. He was thought responsible for the creation of the universe, and therefore seen as the representation of life itself. Ku, which literally means "to strike or stand," is the Tiki god of war. His wife, Huna, was thought to represent the universal woman. Lono is associated with rain, plants, fertility, peace and music. Kanola, the god of the sea, is represented by the squid.

Q: How tall were the original tiki statues?

A: Prior to his death in Hawaii, the explorer Captain Cook reported that many were greater than 50 feet tall.

Q: Is there a particular mythological character associated with volcanoes?

A: Yes, the goddess Pele is most often associated with volcanoes. While many versions of her story exist, most believed that anytime volcanic activities occur in Hawaii, it is Pele wishing for her lost love.