Volcanoes

And

Madam pele

By

Tamarapu Sampath Kumaran

 About the Author

Mr T Sampath Kumaran is a freelance writer. He regularly

contributes articles on Management, Business, Ancient Temples,
and Temple Architecture to many leading Dailies and Magazines.
His articles are popular in “The Young World section” of THE HINDU. His e-
books on nature, environment and different cultures of people around the world are
educative and of special interest to the young.
He was associated in the production of two Documentary films on Nava Tirupathi
Temples, and Tirukkurungudi Temple in Tamilnadu.

Acknowledgement:
I wish to express my gratitude to the authors from whose works I gathered the
details for this book, Courtesy, Google for the photographs.
Hawaii emerged from the sea millions of years ago, forged by the power of
volcanoes. Over time, volcanoes have formed some of our most iconic landscapes.
Today, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaii is one of the few
places in the world where visitors can come face to face with an active volcano—a
truly unforgettable experience.
Hawaii’s main volcanoes are “shield” volcanoes, which produce lava flows that form
gently sloping, shield-like mountains. A good example is Maunaloa, the most massive
mountain on earth, deceptively covering half of Hawaii Island. Standing with this
sleeping giant beneath your feet will give you a greater respect for earth’s ever-
changing landscapes.
Hawaii’s Active Volcanoes
There are currently three active volcanoes in Hawaii. On the Island of Hawaii, one
finds Maunaloa and Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Maunaloa last
erupted in 1984, and Kilauea has been continuously erupting since 1983. Loihi is
located underwater off the southern coast of Hawaii Island. Erupting since 1996, this
emerging seamount may eventually break the surface, adding a new island to the
Hawaiian chain.
 Other notable volcanoes that can be seen
in the guided tour of in Hawaii include Haleakala on Maui, Leahi (Diamond head) and
the National Memorial of the Pacific at Punchbowl on Oʻahu, and Maunakea or
Hualalai on the island of Hawaii.
Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It is a shield-type volcano that
makes up the southeastern side of the Big Island of Hawaii. The volcano rises
4,190 feet (1,227 meters) above sea level and is about 14 percent of the land area
of the Big Island. The summit caldera contains a lava lake known as
Halema`uma`u that is said to be the home of the Hawaiian volcano goddess, Pele.
In the Hawaiian religion, Pele, is the goddess of fire, lightning, wind
and volcanoes and believed to be the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. is one of the
most revered in Hawaiian mythology Often referred to as "Madame Pele" as a sign
of respect and is notable for her contemporary presence and cultural influence as
an enduring figure from ancient Hawaii.
Pele, she was born from the female spirit named Haumea and is a descendant from
Papa, or Sky Father, who is a supreme being.
Kilauea is a currently an active volcano that is located on the island of Hawaii and
believed to be inhabited by a "family of fire gods", one of the sisters being Pele,
who is believed to govern Kilauea and is responsible for controlling its lava flows.
There are several traditional legends associated with Pele in Hawaiian mythology.
In addition to being recognized as the goddess of volcanoes, Pele is also known for
her power, passion, jealousy, and capriciousness. She has numerous siblings,
which include deities of various types of wind, rain, fire, ocean wave forms, and
cloud forms. Her home is believed to be the fire pit called Halema Uma u crater, at
the summit caldera of Kilauea, one of the Earth's most active volcanoes; but her
domain encompasses all volcanic activity on the Big island of Hawaii.
Legend told that Pele herself, journeyed on her canoe from the island of Tahiti to
Hawaii. When going through with her journeys, it was said that she tried to create
her fires on different islands. When Pele got to Hawaii, she first used her Pa’oa, or
o’o stick on Kauai — striking deep into the earth but she was attacked by her older
sister and left for dead. Pele recovered and fled to Oahu, where she dug several
“fire pits,” including the crater, we now called Diamond Head, in Honolulu. After
that, she left her mark on the island of Molokai before traveling further southeast to
Maui and creating the Haleakala Volcano.

With this happening, her body was destroyed but her spirit lives in the
Halemaumau crater on Kilauea. They say, "Her body is the lava and steam that
comes from the volcano. She can also change form, appearing as a white dog, old
woman, or beautiful young woman.
English missionary William Ellis toured the island to determine locations for
mission stations. After a long journey to the volcano Kilauea with little food, Ellis
eagerly ate the wild berries he found growing there. The berries of the ʻohelo’ plant
was considered sacred to Pele and the locals traditionally offer prayers to Pele
before eating the berries. The natives feared that Pele was not pleased with the
violation which resulted in the continued eruption of the volcanoes.
Pele’s loyal followers believe that the frequent eruptions of lava on Kilauea is a
reminder that Pele is alive and still at home here.

Pele is often portrayed as a wanderer and sightings of the familiar and popular
goddess have been reported throughout the island chain for hundreds of years, but
especially near volcanic craters and near her home of Kilauea, one of the most
active volcanoes in the world.

In addition to her role as goddess of fire and her strong association with volcanoes,
Pele is also regarded as the "goddess of the hula". She is a significant figure in the
history of hula because of her sister Hiiaka who is believed to be the first person to
dance hula. Because of Pele's significance in hula, there have been many hula
dances and chants that are dedicated to her and her family. The hula being
dedicated to Pele is often performed in a way that represents her intense
personality and the movement of volcanoes and belief in Pele continued. Hula
halau (hula groups) often visit Kilauea to dance and eave hookupu (offerings) for
Pele as a form of respect.

There’s a lot of mana (spiritual power) at Kilauea and its clear people can feel
Pele’s presence when they visit. Occasionally, visitors who make the pilgrimage to
Pele’s domain even claim to have seen her unmistakable likeness. In these
sightings or visions, she appears as either a very tall, beautiful young woman or an
unattractive and frail elderly woman usually accompanies by a white dog. Those
well-versed in the legend, say that Pele takes this form of an elderly beggar woman
to test people – asking them if they have food or drink to share. Those who are
generous and share with her are rewarded while anyone who is greedy or unkind
are punished with their homes or other valuables destroyed.