Spirit of Aloha | Articles | Island Chronicles | January/February 2003

Island Chronicles

Moonstruck

Lured by love, Hina left her home beneath the sea to join the land of mortals; now she lights up the night sky as the goddess of the moon and stars

Deep beneath the bluest of oceans was the watery realm known as Lalohana. There, a beautiful young goddess named Hina'aikamalama lived in quiet solitude. A grandchild of Kaiuli and Kaikea ("the Dark Sea" and "the Sandy-White Sea") and one of the many children of Hinaluaikoa and Kukeapua, Hina was placed under the guardianship of her brother, Kipapalauulu. Kipapa soon began neglecting his sister, and one day he abandoned her and their home under the sea. Thereafter, Hina's only means of survival were the precious pieces of sweet potato and fish that she kept secure in her 'umeke, or calabash.

Though isolated, Hina was aware of the world of mortals. When the ulua fish was in season, she would watch for the fishing fleet of the chief Konikonia as it sailed outside the reef and anchored high above her ocean home. This fishing ground, or ko'a, had always provided a substantial catch for Konikonia. However, for several years running, the chief's fishermen complained that something was removing their bait and hooks as soon as they lowered their lines. Stranger still, there were no large predatory fish or sharks seen in the clear, calm water to account for the losses.

The chief consulted his kahuna (priest), who determined that the ocean goddess was the cause of the trouble. Intrigued with the antics of the lovely Hina, Konikonia expressed his desire to meet her. The kahuna advised Konikonia to entice her by placing a line of carved male images from her doorway beneath the ocean to the doorway of his home on the shore. The chief ordered the carving of the ki'i, complete with mother-of-pearl eyes and human hair. He then instructed his men to space the ki'i every few feet from Hina's entryway to the surface of the sea, prop them in canoes and finally line them up onshore to lead to his court. When this had been done, the kahuna told the chief to blow on his conch shell to awaken the slumbering young deity.

Hearing the muted sound of the shell, Hina rose and followed the ki'i to the entrance of the chief's living quarters, where, exhausted, she lay down for a short nap. There, Konikonia found her and convinced her to stay a while. Hina agreed and in a very short time, they fell in love.

When the goddess began to miss her ocean home, she asked Konikonia to send one of his fishermen to dive and retrieve her special 'umeke. Her wish was granted and the 'umeke was brought to her. A few days later, Hina removed the 'umeke's lid and out of the calabash floated pieces of sweet potato and fish that became the moon and the stars in the night sky. She explained to her husband that as long as the moon remained high in the heavens, all was well.

One evening, Hina found the moon resting upon the sea. It was a sign that her brothers were in search of her to return her to Lalohana. The brothers took the form of pao'o fish and traveled on tsunami waves, bringing much devastation. Hina explained the omen to Konikonia and he commanded all the people to find safety in the mountains. Wave after wave pounded the village, inundating the land up to the foothills and destroying crops and homes. But thanks to Hina's warning, lives were spared and the village was eventually rebuilt.

As for Hina'aikamalama, she escaped by leaping into the heavens. There she shines in the night sky, ever watchful, in the form of the moon and stars.

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