Pele

In Hawaiian mythology, Pele (pronounced [ˈpeh- lei] /ˈpeɪleɪ/ PAY-lay) is the goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence. She is a popular figure in many stories of ancient Hawaii. There are several traditional legends associated with Pele in Hawaiian mythology. She has numerous siblings, including Kāne Milohai, Kamohoaliʻi, Nāmaka and 13 sisters named Hiʻiaka, the most famous being Hiʻiakaikapoliopele (Hiʻiaka in the bosom of Pele... more

In Hawaiian mythology, Pele (pronounced [ˈpeh- lei] /ˈpeɪleɪ/ PAY-lay) is the goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence. She is a popular figure in many stories of ancient Hawaii. There are several traditional legends associated with Pele in Hawaiian mythology. She has numerous siblings, including Kāne Milohai, Kamohoaliʻi, Nāmaka and 13 sisters named Hiʻiaka, the most famous being Hiʻiakaikapoliopele (Hiʻiaka in the bosom of Pele). They are usually considered to be the offspring of Haumea. Her home is believed to be the fire pit called Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at the summit caldera of Kīlauea, one of the Earth's most active volcanoes; but her domain encompasses all volcanic activity on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. In one version of the story, Pele is daughter of Kane-hoa-lani and Haumea in Kuaihelani. She stays so close to the fire god Lono-makua, that she catches on fire and her older sister Nā-maka-o-Kahaʻi, a sea goddess, drives Pele away. She tracels in a canoe Honua-i... less