Hi'iaka
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In Hawaiian mythology, Hiʻiaka is a daughter of Haumea and Kāne. She was the patron goddess of Hawaiʻi and the hula dancers, and lived in a sacred grove where she spent her days dancing with the forest spirits. She is also called Hiʻiaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele literally meaning "Hiʻaka from the bosom of Pele". Hiʻiaka was conceived in Tahiti, but carried in the form of an egg to Hawaiʻi by Pele, who kept the egg in her arm pit to incubate it. Hiʻiaka is Pele's favorite sister, although they have also had their differences.
At one point in time, Pele left her body by astral projection to appear at a festival on Kauaʻi (in most versions of the legend; another variation has her visit Kauai physically while first seeking a home [1]) where she fell in love with a young chief named Lohiau. Upon her return, she longed for him and decided to send a messenger to bring him to her. Hiʻiaka volunteered to go on the dangerous journey, as long as Pele would protect her sacred grove and friends. Hiʻiaka's journey was filled with many adventures, but she reached Kauaʻi to find that the young chief had died from longing for Pele. She was able to revive him, but was late in returning. Pele, fearing that Hiʻiaka had betrayed her and was keeping the handsome chief for herself, became enraged and destroyed the sacred forest. Hiʻiaka saw this, and for revenge, embraced the chief. In retaliation, Pele sent waves of lava at the couple. Hiʻiaka was unharmed, but Lohiau was killed by the lava. But Hi'iaka's love for him brings him back to life.
[edit] See also
- Lilo & Stitch 2 — Based in part on the story of Hiʻiaka
