PELE AND HI’IAKA: EPIC OF HAWAII PART EIGHT

*** *** *** **** *** A bridge over what remains of the Honoli’i River

Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of the grand and exciting Hawaiian epic about the goddesses Pele and Hi’iaka.

PART EIGHT

We’ll begin this 8th installment at the village of Kohala on the Big Island. Hi’iaka’s traveling companion, the fern goddess Pa’u’o’pala’e, fell in love with Paki’i, a mortal Kaholan man. She stayed behind to dawdle and canoodle with her new-found love while Hi’iaka and the human woman Wahine resumed their quest to reach Kaua’i. 

Other versions of this epic instead state that Pa’u’o’pala’e stayed with the other two ladies until reaching the end of the Big Island. That was when she said goodbye and remained behind, supposedly because she was unable (for some undisclosed reason) to leave that island. 

That being the case, the fern goddess either was or was not still with Hi’iaka and Wahine as they reached the Honoli’i River (barely a stream here in the present-day). The two ladies removed their clothing and, holding their outfits on their heads above the water they set out to swim to the other side. 

Their crossing was opposed by Kuikapali, the ghost goddess and – in a few versions – by Kuikapali’s unnamed female companion. Kuikapali felt that Hi’iaka and Wahine were showing disrespect to the Honoli’i River by swimming across it in the nude. 

After all the other dangers she had faced thus far on her quest Hi’iaka easily overcame Kuikapali (and possibly her friend). The ghost goddess was so thoroughly trounced that she fled to her cavern home and cried to her mother about how she had angered Hi’iaka. 

Kuikapali and her mother quickly prepared the offering of a meal for Hi’iaka, to show her the proper respect and avoid her wrath. When Hi’iaka and Wahine – once again fully-dressed – reached the cave the goddess graciously but coolly accepted their worship.

To repay the way Kuikapali had insulted her Hi’iaka refused to partake of the food, but did allow her mortal friend Wahine to eat. The pair stayed the night and the next morning resumed their journey. +++

(Our travelers move on to the island of Maui in the next part.)

I’LL CONTINUE THE STORY SOON. CHECK BACK ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK FOR UPDATES.

FOR MY LOOK AT THE TOP ELEVEN GODS IN HAWAIIAN MYTHOLOGY CLICK HERE

FOR ANOTHER EPIC MYTH CLICK HERE:   https://glitternight.com/2013/03/17/iroquois-epic-myth-hodadeion/

FOR SIMILAR ARTICLES AND MORE OF THE TOP LISTS FROM  BALLADEER’S BLOG CLICK HERE:  https://glitternight.com/top-lists/

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