Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Muslim
Who Are the Important Figures in Traditional Hawaiian Religion?

Who Are the Important Figures in Traditional Hawaiian Religion?

Last updated on: August 5, 2019 at 5:14 pm by irfanrydhan

Who Are the Important Figures in Traditional Hawaiian Religion? 2019-08-05T17:14:52-06:00 irfanrydhan

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Hawaiian Tiki

Perhaps you’ve been wondering how much of Muana has a bearing on reality. Maybe you’ve recently read about Dwayne Johnson’s tattoos and wanted to know more about the symbolism.

Whatever sparked your interest in the Hawaiian religion is less important than the thrill of the search. Like many polytheistic religions, there are many figures to learn about.

Also, like many polytheistic religions, it faces co-option from new-age woo peddlers. As usual, they’re trying to borrow ancient gods to promote pseudoscience ideas.

Read on to hear all about the major, and minor pantheons of Hawaiian deities.

Hawaiian Religion Major Pantheon

Records for the traditions of Hawaiian belief started around 500 CE. It consists of four major gods (ka ha), a half-dozen other gods (kupua), and a multitude of minor gods (ke kini akua).

Kane

The progenitor deity of the Hawaiian religion, Kane woke up and realized it had a self beyond the surrounding darkness.

This gives Kane a double concept of light and enlightenment.

Kane also represents the sky and power of the sun as well as the north.

Kane brought forth the aumakua system, in which all families are protected by a guardian.

Lono

This is the second god to emerge from the darkness of Po. Lono brought into existence the rain and music. He is associated with concepts of agriculture, fertility, and peace.

Worship and celebrations of Makahiki celebrate Lono in the spring. For this reason, he is associated with the east.

The last of the gods to emerge from Po and create the world of Ao (Earth), Ku represents war and the power of conflict in general. Appeasing Ku and invoking his favor were key components of the early aumakua tradition.

Ku represents the west.

Kanaloa

A sometimes forgotten god. Many sources list the previous three as a triumvirate rather than a quadrant. These Kumulipo (epics) detail the stories of creation.

This is likely contamination from other trinities throughout the world such as the ones found in Malai, Christian, Greek, and Norse traditions.

Kanaloa represents the underworld, the ocean, and the south.

Hawaiian Religion Minor Pantheon

Though the follow gods have less prominence within the religious belief itself, they sometimes hold more prominence in cultural appeal.

You can find tikis and celebrations of these figures in many towns as you escape on your Hawaii cruise vacation.

Hina

Goddess of the moon. She took a grove of trees from the Earth, placed them in a canoe, and made her way to a crater. There, she planted and watches over the trees from afar.

Hina has strong similarities to other Polynesian lunar goddesses.

Kuula

A god that protects fishermen and grants them safety and abundant catches.

A child god of Kanaloa, hence the connection to the ocean.

Laka

Goddess of dance and teacher of the hula. Laka represents the energy and exoneration of sexuality.

Pele

Everyone’s favorite volcano goddess. A later comer to the tradition and mother of the Hawaiian islands themselves.

Pele may be based on an earlier arrival on the islands or an amalgamation of other Polynesian deities.

Explore More

Learning about ancient beliefs like the Hawaiian religion gives a great insight into the people that developed and lived such traditions.

Regardless of your spirituality or theistic approach, the’s always more to learn about the beliefs of the people’s of the world. Keep reading our blog for more info on all of your curiosities.

Previous Post

April 30, 2019

Teaching Your Children the Value of Money: A Guide

Next Post

September 13, 2019 Five Reasons Social Workers Do What They Do

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Activism Architecture Art Books/Magazines Business Education Event Planning Finance Food HalalEats Unplugged Podcast Interfaith Islam Media Politics Religion Self Help The Artistic Foodies Podcast Travel TV/Film Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2026 June 2026 February 2026 December 2025 July 2025 June 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 June 2023 November 2022 September 2022 April 2022 February 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 April 2019 February 2019 December 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 June 2017 May 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 August 2016 May 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 July 2015 May 2015 January 2015 December 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 September 2013 August 2013 June 2013 May 2013 March 2013 December 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 October 2010 August 2010 April 2010 February 2010 January 2010 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say about greed?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It is always wise It leads to ruin It helps you win It is best