Hawaii’s Goddess of Snow, Poli’ahu

By | January 7, 2019

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The Kilauea Volcano erupts with great force, shooting a lava fountain high into the air. Source: Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

We tend to think of Hawaii as a group of islands bathed in tropical warmth and sunshine. Hawaii is, after all, known for its stunning beaches and clear, blue water. So it may surprise mainlanders to know that, in ancient Hawaiian folklore, there were stories of Poli’ahu, the Hawaiian goddess of snow. And it would be even more surprising to learn that one of the prominent tales about Poli’ahu involved a Hawaiian sledding competition. The legend of Poli'ahu serves as a reminder that the volcanic islands were formed from fire and ice. 

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Source: christinadehoff.com

Poli’ahu was the Pretty Sister

One of the most well-known of all the Hawaiian goddesses is Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes who is associated with Mount Kilauea. But Pele is just one of several daughters born to the Earth goddess, Haumea, and the god of the sky and heavens, Kane Milohai. Pele’s older sister, Poli’ahu, was the most beautiful of all the sisters. Pele, known for her fiery temper, was often jealous of Poli’ahu and her beauty.