‘Ā Pele

One of the few places that you can see an active volcano up close is on the island of Hawai‘i. Kīlauea volcano is on the slopes of Mauna Loa mountain. Pele is the volcano goddess. More specifically, she is the lava that inhabits the volcano.  Lava in Hawaiian is called ‘ā pele, meaning “of pele.”

Hawaiian gods, called akua, are the embodiment of what they represent. From the human perspective, volcanic eruptions and lava are a destructive force. For the volcano, eruptions are a creative act. Pele is known both as the “eater of land” (Pele-‘ai-honua), and the “creator of the land” (Pele-honua-mea). The goddess Pele is unpredictable, powerful, and vengeful. She is a beautiful maiden and also a horrible fiery monster clothed in lightning.

Hawaiian lava is different from lava from most other volcanoes. It comes out of the ground as super hot fast flowing rivers of lava. Its magma source near the core of the Earth produces lava rich in heavier metals like iron. Hawaiian lava spreads out to form a broad flat volcano of hard basaltic rock, called a shield volcano. Hawaiian lava has relatively low amounts of ash and dissolved gasses when compared to recent explosive volcanoes like Mt. St. Helens or Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai. Shield volcanoes form a wide foundation of strong stable rock. They are very stable and can grow larger than other types of volcano.

Pele inhabits many forms known as kino lau. The kino lau of Pele describes the unique ecosystem of the volcano. Pele is lava, and she is also the ‘ōhia lehua tree. Lava and the ‘ōhia lehua tree have a special relationship. After a volcanic eruption the land is covered in bare lifeless rock. The ‘ōhia lehua is one of the first plants to grow in new lava. The ‘ōhia seed grows from the cracks in the lava. The roots expand to further break the surface of the lava, allowing water and organic matter to penetrate. A layer of topsoil develops under the ‘ōhia lehua tree, that becomes a foundation for other plants to start to take root.

The ‘ōhelo, also sacred to Pele, has a similar role in bringing life to new lava fields. In this way, Pele is the goddess of destruction and also new life and land. When Pele’s name is mentioned, all of her characteristics are referenced. Her kino lau, many forms, create a web of interconnected relationships.

Hawaiian deities are also ancestors. People trace their ancestry to the gods. There is a direct connection between people and their environment. The Hawaiians of Ka‘ū, who live in the shadow of Pele’s domain, feel protected from her wrath because they honor and recognize their ancient ancestor. When people make offerings to Pele, they are expressing their personal connection to the ‘āina, and their ancestors who lived with the volcano for generations before. When people care for nature, nature will care for them.