Key facts about the native religion of Hawaii

  • Note: this list of key facts is under construction, as evidenced by the fact that it (the list) is not very long.

Key fact #1: the deities of this religion

The native Hawaiian religion (which www.Hawaiian.faith is about) has over 500 deities – but, of these 500+ deities, there are four main ones.  So here are the four principal gods (Akua Nui):

  • Kāne (pronounced ‘Kah-neh’): Creator god associated with life, freshwater, forests, and sunlight. Often considered the highest deity.
  • Kanaloa (pronounced ‘Kah-nah-low-ah’): God of the ocean, healing, and the underworld; frequently paired with Kāne as a complementary force.
  • Kū (pronounced ‘koo’): God of war, strength, and male endeavors; also linked to agriculture and fishing in some contexts.
  • Lono (pronounced ‘Low-no’): God of peace, fertility, rainfall, and agriculture; connected to the Makahiki festival and harvest seasons.The Four Principal Gods (Akua Nui)

The above four major deities represent fundamental forces of nature and life.  However, as mentioned, there is a broader pantheon, with this Hawaiian religion also recognizing over 500 lesser deities (kapua), each governing specific natural elements, ancestral connections, or localized phenomena (for example, Pele (pronounced ‘Peh-leh’) as the volcano goddess). This reflects a worldview where divinity permeates all aspects of existence.

In summary: the Hawaiian spiritual tradition features four primary gods – Kāne (creation), Kanaloa (ocean), Kū (strength), and Lono (peace) – who embody core life forces. Alongside them, hundreds of specialized deities (kapua) oversee natural and ancestral realms, illustrating a deeply interconnected cosmology.

Key fact #2: afterlife beliefs

Our religion teaches that good people, when they die, go to a paradise-esque realm of happiness for eternity.  This realm of happiness is called Po.  Po is described as:

  • a realm of abundant natural resources: ever-flowering plants, perpetual harvests, lush forests, flowing water, and fertile lands—abundant with awa (sacred drink), ‘ulu (breadfruit), and other manifestations of life force (mana).
  • a place offering a peaceful existence among ancestors and deities, with freedom from suffering, illness, or strife
  • a place offering spiritual fulfillment and harmony with the cosmos

In contrast, bad people, when they die, go to a realm of suffering for eternity.  This bad place is called Lua-o-Milu.  Examples of people who are sent here are “lawless and irreligious” people, and those who have violated sacred laws (kapu). Lua-o-Milu is described as:

  • a barren, waterless land of perpetual twilight, with punishment centered on torment and deprivation—endless thirst, hunger, and desolation in a shadowy, lifeless realm with no indication of release or redemption.
  • a place where punishments include eternal servitude or repetitive, futile tasks.
  • diseased and rotting food is offered, symbolizing spiritual decay.
  • a place representing separation from ancestral connections and divine favor.

Key fact #3: figures from other religions are absent from this religion

People (or ‘characters’/’figures’) who feature in the teachings/scriptures/cosmology of other religions are completely absent from that of the native Hawaiian religion.  Our religion teaches that Jesus; the Apostles; Mary; Muhammad; Abraham; Moses; King David; and the Buddha do not exist and never did.  This goes for figures from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Chinese folk religions, ethnic/tribal religions, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahá’í, Jainism, Shinto, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Spiritism, and Confucianism etc.

The native Hawaiian religion developed independently, and in isolation, in the Pacific, long before contact with other world religions.  Its oral traditions, mythology, chants (mele), genealogies (moʻokūʻauhau), and stories focus on Hawaiian deities, nature spirits, ancestors, demigods (like Māui), chiefs and cultural heroes.  Outside religious figures (such as Jesus, Moses, the Buddha etc) only entered Hawaiian religious life after Western and Asian contact (late 18th-19th century, when Hawaiians encountered Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto, etc) leading to later syncretic practices – but these influences are not part of the original native religion.

Key fact #4: this religion has no single, sacred scripture or holy book

Christianity has the Bible, Islam has the Quran (Koran), Judaism has the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Sikhism has the Guru Granth Sahib, and Buddhism has the Tripitaka (Pali Canon) and the Mahayana Sutras – however, the native religion of Hawaii does not have a single, unified scripture or holy book (like the Bible).

Our religion’s beliefs, stories, and practices were traditionally passed down through oral traditions, including chants (mele), dances (hula), and stories (kaʻao), and have been documented in various written forms over time, such as in books and other written materials (though these ‘books and other written materials’ are not considered sacred scriptures in the same way that the Bible, Quran, or Torah are within their respective religions).

Key fact #5: Today, there does not appear to be any religious organizations which are centered around the native religion of Hawaii

The native religion of Hawaii, traditionally centered around the deities Kane, Kanaloa, Lono, and Ku etc, has seen a significant decline in organized practice in contemporary times. This decline can be attributed to several factors, including the historical suppression of indigenous practices during the period of Western colonization of Hawaii, and the subsequent spread of Christianity. The introduction of Western religious beliefs led to a gradual erosion of traditional Hawaiian religious practices, as many Hawaiians converted to Christianity under the influence of missionaries. Additionally, the cultural assimilation and modernization of Hawaiian society further diminished the prominence of the native religion. Today, while there are efforts to revive and preserve Hawaiian cultural and spiritual traditions, there does not appear to be any organized religious institutions (even in Hawaii) dedicated to this religion.

Www.Hawaiian.faith aims to change this, as we aspire to become a bonafide religious organization which promotes the teachings of this once-thriving faith.  The dream is to one day have a heiau (temple) located in Hawaii.

Key fact#6: there were dietary restrictions in this religion

In the native religion of Hawaii, which includes the deities Kane, Kanaloa, Lono, Ku, and others, the dietary restrictions were governed by a set of rules known as the Kapu system. This system dictated what foods could be consumed by whom and under what circumstances, playing a crucial role in maintaining the social and spiritual order of Hawaiian society.

Dietary restrictions in the Kapu system are significant and are often tied to the status and gender of the individual. For example, certain foods are reserved exclusively for the aliʻi (chiefs) and are forbidden to commoners. Additionally, there are specific prohibitions against eating certain types of food in certain places or at particular times.

Eating is forbidden in places such as temples and sacred sites. This is to maintain the sanctity of these areas and to show respect for the gods.

There are specific times of the day or year when eating certain foods is forbidden. For example, eating bananas during the day is kapu, while eating them at night is allowed.

One of the most well-known dietary restrictions is the prohibition against men and women eating together. This is because certain foods are considered kapu (sacred or forbidden) for women, such as pork, certain types of fish, and some types of bananas, and, also, this restriction is in place to maintain the sacred separation between men and women.

  • Forbidden Foods/Beverages for Women:
    • Pork (Pua’a): Pork is considered kapu for women, as it is associated with the god Lono and is reserved for men and the aliʻi (chiefs).
    • Certain Fish (I’a): Some species of fish, such as the moi (threadfish) and the ulua (jackfish), are forbidden for women to eat. These fish are considered sacred and are reserved for men and the aliʻi.
    • Bananas (Mai’a): Certain types of bananas, particularly the mai’a ‘aiakea, are kapu for women. This is because bananas are associated with the god Kanaloa and are considered a sacred food.
    • Coconut (Niu): Coconuts are forbidden for women to eat or drink, as they are associated with the god Kane and are considered a sacred food.
    • Taro (Kalo): Taro is a staple food in Hawaiian cuisine, but certain parts of the taro plant, such as the corm, are kapu for women. This is because taro is associated with the god Kane and is considered a sacred food.
  • Forbidden Foods/Beverages for Men:
    • Women’s Foods: Men are forbidden from eating foods that are considered sacred or reserved for women, such as certain types of seaweed and shellfish.
    • Foods Prepared by Women: Men are not allowed to eat food prepared by women during their menstrual cycle, as this is considered kapu.
    • Foods Offered to the Gods: Men are not allowed to eat foods that have been offered to the gods, as these foods are considered sacred and are reserved for the deities.

General Dietary Restrictions:

Foods Reserved for Women (Forbidden for Men):

Certain Seaweed (Limu): Some species of seaweed, such as limu kohu, are considered sacred and are reserved for women. Men are forbidden from eating these types of seaweed.
Certain Shellfish (Pūpū): Some species of shellfish, such as the opihi (limpet), are considered sacred and are reserved for women. Men are not allowed to eat these shellfish.
Taro Leaves (Lau Kalo): While taro itself is a staple food, the leaves of the taro plant are considered sacred and are reserved for women. Men are forbidden from eating taro leaves.
Breadfruit (ʻUlu): Breadfruit is a nutritious fruit that is commonly eaten in Hawaii. However, certain preparations of breadfruit, such as poi made from breadfruit, are considered sacred and are reserved for women. Men are not allowed to eat these preparations.

Foods Reserved for the Gods (Forbidden for Men):

Poi (Pounded Taro): Poi is a staple food in Hawaiian cuisine, made from pounded taro root. As taro is associated with the god Kane, poi is considered sacred and is often offered to the gods. Men are forbidden from eating poi that has been offered to the gods.
Fish Offerings: Certain species of fish, such as the moi (threadfish) and the ulua (jackfish), are considered sacred and are often offered to the gods. Men are not allowed to eat these fish, as they are reserved for the deities.
Pork Offerings: Pork is associated with the god Lono and is often offered to him in religious ceremonies. Men are forbidden from eating pork that has been offered to Lono.
Banana Offerings: Certain types of bananas, such as the mai’a ‘aiakea, are considered sacred and are offered to the gods. Men are not allowed to eat these bananas (just as women are not), as they are reserved for the deities.

Some foods were reserved exclusively for the aliʻi (chiefs) and were forbidden to commoners.

In the traditional Hawaiian society, the aliʻi (chiefs) held a sacred and elevated status, and certain foods were reserved exclusively for them, forbidden to commoners. These foods were considered kapu (sacred or forbidden) and were often associated with the aliʻi’s divine right to rule. Here are some examples of foods that were reserved exclusively for the aliʻi:

  • Foods Reserved for the Aliʻi (Forbidden to Commoners):
    • Pork (Pua’a): Pork was a highly prized food in ancient Hawaii, and only the aliʻi were allowed to consume it. Pigs were considered a luxury item, and their meat was reserved for the chiefs and their families.
    • Certain Fish (I’a): Specific species of fish, such as the moi (threadfish) and the ulua (jackfish), were considered sacred and were reserved for the aliʻi. These fish were often caught using special methods and were served at important ceremonies and feasts.
    • Taro (Kalo): While taro was a staple food for the general population, certain parts of the taro plant, such as the corm, were reserved for the aliʻi. The aliʻi would often receive the first harvest of taro, which was considered a symbol of their authority and connection to the land.
    • Sweet Potatoes (ʻUala): Sweet potatoes were another important crop in ancient Hawaii, and certain varieties were reserved for the aliʻi. These sweet potatoes were often grown in special gardens and were served at important events.
    • Bird Meat (Manu): In ancient Hawaii, birds were considered a delicacy, and their meat was reserved for the aliʻi. Certain species of birds, such as the ʻiʻiwi and the ʻapapane, were hunted specifically for the aliʻi’s consumption.
    • Special Fruits (Hua’ai): Certain fruits, such as the ʻōhiʻa ʻai (mountain apple) and the ʻulu (breadfruit), were reserved for the aliʻi. These fruits were often grown in special orchards and were served at important ceremonies and feasts.

These foods were not only a symbol of the aliʻi’s wealth and power but also played a significant role in their spiritual and ceremonial practices. The aliʻi’s access to these exclusive foods reinforced their divine right to rule and their connection to the gods.

A pertinent question one might ask today is: if pork, for example, had been abundant in Hawaii back when this religion was prominent in Hawaii, would it (pork) still have been reserved only for chiefs?

If pork had been abundant in ancient Hawaii, it’s likely that the traditional dietary restrictions and social hierarchies would have remained largely intact. The kapu system was deeply ingrained in Hawaiian society, and the restrictions on certain foods were not solely based on scarcity or abundance.

In fact, the kapu system was designed to reinforce social stratification and maintain the power and authority of the aliʻi (chiefs). The restriction on pork consumption was not just about the availability of the meat but also about the symbolic significance of the food itself.

Pork was considered a luxury item, associated with wealth, power, and prestige. It was often served at important ceremonies and feasts, and its consumption was seen as a privilege reserved for the aliʻi. Even if pork had been more readily available, it’s unlikely that the aliʻi would have relinquished their exclusive right to consume it.

The kapu system was also closely tied to religious beliefs and practices. Pork was associated with the god Lono, and its consumption was seen as a way to honor and appease the deity. The aliʻi, as the representatives of the gods on earth, were believed to have a special connection to the divine, and their consumption of pork was seen as a way to maintain this connection.

Furthermore, the kapu system was not just about food restrictions but also encompassed various aspects of daily life, including social behavior, religious practices, and even clothing. The system was designed to maintain the balance and order of society, as well as to show respect for the gods and the natural world.

Even if pork had been abundant, the aliʻi would likely have continued to use their exclusive right to consume it as a way to reinforce their power and authority. The kapu system was a complex web of rules and restrictions that governed every aspect of Hawaiian life, and the restriction on pork consumption was just one part of this larger system.

In summary, if pork had been abundant in ancient Hawaii, it’s unlikely that the kapu system would have changed significantly. The aliʻi would have continued to reserve pork for themselves as a way to reinforce their power, authority, and connection to the divine, while the commoners would have remained subject to the same dietary restrictions and social hierarchies.

These dietary restrictions are an essential part of the traditional Hawaiian religion and are still observed by some Hawaiians today. Violating these restrictions is considered a serious offense and can result in punishment, including death in some cases. The Kapu system is designed to maintain the balance and order of society, as well as to show respect for the gods and the natural world.

It’s worth noting that the Kapu system was not only about food restrictions but also encompassed various aspects of daily life, including social behavior, religious practices, and even clothing. The system was designed to maintain the balance and order of society, as well as to show respect for the gods and the natural world.