Hi'iaka
Also known as: Hi'iaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele, Hi'iaka-in-the-bosom-of-Pele
Mythological Narrative
The youngest and most beloved sister of Pele. Hi'iaka is the patron goddess of hula dancers and the protagonist of one of the longest epic narratives in Hawaiian mythology, her journey to fetch Pele's lover Lohiau.
Scholarly Commentary & Evolution
## Beloved Sister of Pele
Hi'iaka is Pele's favorite sister, born as an egg that Pele carried in her bosom during the great migration from Kahiki to Hawaii. She grew to become one of the most important goddesses in Hawaiian tradition, patroness of hula and protagonist of the greatest Hawaiian epic.
### Birth and Childhood
Unlike her older siblings, Hi'iaka was not born in Kahiki but hatched from an egg during the family's voyage across the Pacific. Pele kept the egg warm in her armpit (or bosom), and when Hi'iaka emerged, she was the baby of the family, beloved by all, especially Pele.
### The Journey for Lohiau
The great saga of Hi'iaka begins when Pele, in a dream, falls in love with a mortal chief named Lohiau on Kauai. She sends Hi'iaka to fetch him, giving her magical powers and a deadline of forty days. The journey takes far longer, as Hi'iaka must battle monsters, help those in need, and overcome countless obstacles.
### Patroness of Hula
Hi'iaka is the goddess most associated with hula, the sacred dance of Hawaii. Her journey provides much of the source material for hula performances, and dancers invoke her blessing.
Cross-Pantheon Parallels & Archetypes
Academic Discussion & Critique
Exchange peer-reviewed hypotheses, comparative Indo-European etymologies, and archaeological field interpretations regarding Hi'iaka.
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