Pele

Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, creator of the islands, dwelling at Kīlauea.

Domains

• volcanoes
• fire

Powers

• Erupt volcanoes and pour forth lava
• Appear as old crone or radiant young woman

Epithets

• Ka wahine ʻai honua hawaiian · praise-nameThe woman who devours the land (the earth-eating woman)Martha Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology (1940), ch. on Pele (secondary)
• Pele-honua-mea hawaiian · praise-namePele of the sacred (reddened) earthMartha Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology (1940), ch. on Pele; N. B. Emerson, Pele and Hiiaka (1915) (secondary)

Relations

• sibling: NāmakaNamaka is Pele's elder sister, both daughters of Haumea.Martha Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology (1940) (secondary)
• rival: NāmakaThe sea-goddess pursued Pele from Kahiki down the island chain, overwhelming her body at Hana, Maui.Martha Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology (1940) (secondary)
• rival: PoliʻahuThe snow-goddess of Mauna Kea repelled Pele's fires from her mountain in their contest.W.D. Westervelt, Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (1916) (secondary)

Sources

• existence: Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology (1940) (primary)