#hamakua

Poliahu and Pele

It is unclear if it was before or after 'Aiwohikupua that Poliahu met Pele.

Pele loved the holua — the race of sleds down long and narrow sloping grassy hillsides. She usually appeared as a woman of wonderful beauty and form a stranger unknown to anyone taking part in the sport. The chiefs of the different districts of the various islands had their favorite meeting places for any sport in which they desired to engage.

These were sheltered places where gambling reigned. Open glades were where boxing and spear throwing could best be practiced. Coasts were where the splendid surf made riding the waves on surfboards fun and exciting. And there were hillsides where sledders had to exercise every ounce of skill and strength they had.

Poliahu and her friends had come down Mauna Kea to a sloping hillside south of Hamakua. Suddenly in their midst appeared a stranger of surpassing beauty. Poliahu welcomed her and the races begun. Pele was quickly angered by the superiority, real or fancied, of Poliahu. The ground began to grow warm and Poliahu knew her enemy. Pele threw off all disguises and called for the forces of fire to burst open the doors of the underground caverns of Mauna Kea. Up toward the mountain she marshaled her fire fountains. Poliahu fled towards the summit. The snow mantle was seized by the outbursting lava and began to burn up. Poliahu grasped the robe, dragging it away and carrying it with her. Soon she regained strength and threw the mantle over the mountain. There were earthquakes upon earthquakes, shaking the great island from sea to sea. The mountains trembled while the tossing waves of the conflict between fire and snow passed through and over them. Great rock precipices staggered and fell down the mountainsides.

Clouds gathered over the mountain summit at Poliahu's call. Each cloud was gray and heavy with frozen condensation and the snow fell deep and fast on the mountain. Farther and farther down the sides the snow mantle unfolded until it dropped on the fountains of fire. The lava chilled and hardened and it choked out the flowing burning rivers. The lava, becoming stone, filled up the holes out of which the red melted mass was trying to force itself. Chilled the lava streams were beaten back into the depths of the earth.

The fire rivers, already rushing to the sea, were narrowed and driven downward so rapidly that they flew off the land and dropped immediately into the remorseless ocean. Thus the ragged mass of Laupahoehoe was formed and the great ledge of the arch of Onomea bay, and the different sharp and torn lavas in the edge of the sea which mark the various eruptions of centuries past.

Poliahu in legend has met Pele many times un battle. She has kept the upper part of Mauna Kea desolate under her mantle of snow and ice, but down towards the sea fertile and luxurious valleys and hillside slopes show the gifts from the goddess.

Out of Mauna Loa Pele has stepped forth again and again, and has hurled eruptions of mighty force and great extent against Poliahu. But it is said that in this battle Pele has always been defeated and always will be. Pele's kingdom has been limited to the southern half of the island of Hawaii. While the snow maidens rule the norther half.

Key:

Goddess of snow and compassion

Goddess of volcanoes and fire

Puna. Ka'u. Kona. South Hilo.