World Mythology -- Third Period -- Monday

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"Since it's been a chilly weekend for many of you, I thought we might go somewhere a bit more tropical for the day," Ghanima said.  "Hawaiian mythology refers to the legends, historical tales and sayings of the ancient Hawaiian people. It is considered a variant of a more general Polynesian mythology, developing its own unique character for several centuries before about 1800. It is associated with the Hawaiian religion, the system of beliefs that represent the beauty and mystery of Hawaiian sacred traditions. The religion was officially suppressed in the 19th century, but kept alive by some practitioners to the modern day."

"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 "Cradled in 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 with her at all times to incubate it. Hiʻiaka is Pele's favorite and most loyal sister, although they have also had their differences."

"At one point in time, Pele appeared at a festival on Kauaʻi 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 her friend, Hopoe." 

"Pele agreed to Hiʻiaka's request, but insisted that she return with Lohiau within 40 days. She also instructed Hiʻiaka not to fall in love with Lohiau, or even embrace him.  Hiʻiaka's journey was filled with many adventures, such as dueling with the kupuas of the island forests, but when at last she reached Kauaʻi she found that the young chief had died from longing for Pele. She was able to revive him with chanting and prayer, but she was not able to return to Pele within 40 days. Pele, fearing that Hiʻiaka had betrayed her and was keeping the handsome chief for herself, became enraged and not only destroyed Hiʻiaka's sacred lehua forest, but also killed innocent Hopoe, turning her into stone."

"When Hiʻiaka returned, seeing her friend dead and her forest ravaged, she took revenge on Pele and embraced Lohiau. In retaliation, Pele sent waves of lava at the couple. Hiʻiaka was unharmed, but Lohiau was killed by the lava. Again, Hiʻiaka revived him, thus bringing him back to life twice.  Pele, once her temper had cooled off a bit, regretted her hasty actions toward Hiʻiaka's forest and friend, decided to let Lohiau choose who he wanted to be with. Some versions of the legend say that Lohiau chose Hiʻiaka over Pele and returned with her to Kauaʻi. Others say he decided to remain with the both of them. Still others say that he retreated to Kauaʻi alone."

 "Today we are going to watch a film that is loosely based on this particular myth of Hi'iaka, and then I'd like you to discuss what similarities you see."