Where molten rock meets the sea and new land is born from fire, Pele makes her home. The Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, fire, lightning, and wind is one of the most powerful and revered deities of Polynesian mythology. Her temper shapes islands, her passion creates destruction and renewal, and her presence is felt wherever Kilauea's fires burn.
Origins and Journey
According to Hawaiian tradition, Pele was born in Kahiki (the mythical homeland, possibly Tahiti) and fled to Hawaii after a conflict with her sister Na-maka-o-Kaha'i, the sea goddess. Pele traveled down the Hawaiian island chain, attempting to dig a permanent home—each time her sister flooded her fire pits. Finally, at Kilauea on the Big Island, she dug deep enough to find permanent fire, beyond her sister's reach.
Appearance
Pele manifests in multiple forms:
- A beautiful young woman dressed in red
- An old woman (tutu) walking near the volcano
- A white dog that appears before eruptions
- Flames and the flowing lava itself
Many Hawaiians report encounters with Pele on the roads near Kilauea—hitchhikers who vanish, or old women who provide warnings before eruptions.
Powers and Nature
Pele controls:
- Volcanic eruptions and lava flows
- Fire in all its forms
- Lightning and volcanic thunder
- The creation and destruction of land
She is passionate, jealous, and prone to fierce anger—but also deeply generous to those who show proper respect. Offending Pele brings volcanic disaster, while honoring her brings protection and blessing.
Pele's Curse
Modern belief holds that taking lava rocks from Hawaii brings Pele's curse—bad luck until the rocks are returned. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park receives packages every year from tourists returning rocks with letters apologizing to Pele.
Related Deities
Pele belongs to a family of fire and volcano deities across cultures: compare to the Greek Hephaestus, Japanese Kagutsuchi, and Aztec Xiuhtecuhtli. Within Hawaiian mythology, she contrasts with her sister Hi'iaka and enemy Na-maka-o-Kaha'i.
