In Hawaiian Mythology, The Volcano Of Mauna Kea Is Home To Four Sister Goddesses

In a time when the Earth was just being formed, the Sky Father (or god) known as Wakea looked down and saw Papa, the Earth Mother (or goddess) (via Hawaii Life). He instantly fell for her beauty, and from their love, the landscapes of Earth were born. Mountains — their children — stretched upwards from Papa's oceans toward their father. Wakea decorated their heads with leis of clouds, while Papa strung seafoam about their necks.

This is just the story of the beginning, but there are many deities in Hawaiian folklore whose stories explain every terrain within the ecologically diverse state. For instance, while scientists believe the conflicting arid and wet climates of the Big Island are caused by the mountains blocking humid, ocean wind from reaching the western side, legend says it was caused by a quarrel between two lovers (via Paradise in Hawaii). As the story goes, the hog god Kamapua'a (who could also call upon the power of storms) had a falling out with his lover, Pele, the goddess of fire (via Coffee Times). While Pele rules dryly from one side of the mountain, Kamapua'a rages with storms, creating lush valleys, on the other. Pele will return later in our story, causing yet another change to the environment with her temper.