What tales and legends are associated with Kilauea Volcano?

The most well-known are the story of the Migration of Pele from her home and family to the Hawaiian Islands and her new home at Kilauea . Another that may have significant geologic themes is the story of Hi`iaka, Pele, and Lohi`au.

Are there any legends about Kilauea?

Kilauea is home to Pele, goddess of the volcano Pelehonuamea, to be exact. “She who shapes the sacred land.” In Hawaiian myth and culture, Pele is the goddess of fire and volcano and devours the Big Island when she is perturbed. She has a wicked temper and she made her home in the Halemaumau crater.

What is the legend of Pele?

The legend of Pele’s curse says that anyone who removes anything natively Hawaiian like pieces of rock or sand from the Hawaiian islands will feel the wrath of Pele who views the rocks as her children. Legend has it that if you take from Pele, you will incur years of bad luck.

What is the legend of the Water volcano?

This story says that Pele rerouted Kamapuaa from their home in Helemaumau and angrily chased him, with rivers of lava, into the Pacific Ocean. This story is meant to symbolize the violent and explosive experience of a hydrovolcanic eruption, though Hawaiian eruptions are much more peaceful.

What are the myths about the Kilauea Volcano?

However research shows that explosive eruptions prevailed in the last 2,500 years. In 1790 eighty locals were killed by a volcanic pyroclastic flow and old myths suggest that powerful and dangerous eruptions happened in the past. One myth involves the volcano goddess Pele and her youngest sister Hi‘iaka.

Who is the goddess of volcanoes in Hawaiian mythology?

One myth involves the volcano goddess Pele and her youngest sister Hi‘iaka. Long ago they arrived on Hawai´i and after a long search Pele decided to settle in the crater of Kilauea, since then also known as Kalua o Pele or the pit of Pele.

How big is the caldera of Kilauea Volcano?

Kilauea has a 165m deep circular caldera at its summit that measures 3x5km (or 6×6 km, including the outermost ring faults). It is said that Kilauea is the home to Pele, the volcano goddess of ancient Hawaiian legends. The current eruption of Kilauea on the east rift zone is called the Pu`u `O`o Eruption.

How did Kilauea in Hawaii get its name?

In other words, Kīlauea is to Mauna Kea as Lō‘ihi is to Mauna Loa. Hawaiians used the word Kīlauea only for the summit caldera, but earth scientists and, over time, popular usage have extended the name to include the entire volcano. Kīlauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess.