What does the native folklore in Hawaii say about the origins of
volcanoe?
Mandie Wilson-Flower
Hi Mandie,
There are a number of stories and most of them consider the volcanoes to
be the places where the volcano gods and goddesses lived. Pele is the
most famous of these but there were others. This doesn't exactly explain
how the volcanoes got there, just what they were.
One of the more interesting stories is how Pele was being forced to go
from island to island as she was chased by various other gods (most of
whom were her relatives). This journey of hers went from the
island of Kaua'i to the island of Hawai'i where she presently lives. This
progression happens to very well correspond to our
modern scientific notion of the age of the volcanoes. Additionally, there
are a number of places on the older islands where she is reported to have
rested along her way. All of these are young volcanic features on these
otherwise old eroded volcanic islands.
The Hawaiians were very good at recognizing volcanic features, and they
did a good job of working these into their stories.
Sincerely,
Scott Rowland
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