Poliahu

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In Hawaiian mythology, Poliahu is one of the four goddesses of snow, enemies of Pele. She was thought to reside on Mauna Kea, which if measured from the seafloor would be the world's tallest mountain.

[edit] The Legend of Aiwohikupua

Two main legends about Poliahu have survived. In the first one, Poliahu is said to have met the ali'i Aiwohikupua on the Eastern slope of Mauna Kea. The two fell in love and Aiwohikupua took Poliahu home to his native Kauai. There Poliahu discovered that the ali'i was already betrothed to a princess of Maui.

Poliahu left in dismay, but managed to first curse the betrothed. She first chilled the princess of Maui to the bone, then turned the cold into heat. Finally, the princess gave up and left her cursed husband.

Later Poliahu similarly cursed Aiwohikupua, but instead of turning the chill to heat, she froze him to death. The appearance of the four goddesses in front of Aiwohikupua is defined by the memory of their otherworldly beauty. Poliahu is in general remembered as the most beautiful goddess of Hawai'i.

[edit] Poliahu and Pele

Poliahu is remembered for her mingling with humans on the East slope of her home, Mauna Kea. The Hamakua Coast of Hawai'i, with its verdant beauty and many streams, was thought to be engineered by Poliahu expressedly.

One day, while holua sledding with mortals, Poliahu was joined by a beautiful stranger that challenged her. The stranger had no sled, so she borrowed one to run against Poliahu.

In the first run, Poliahu easily passed the stranger. After a hint this might have to do with the better sled, Poliahu won again after giving the stranger her own sled. On the third run, the stranger had Poliahu go first and tried to prevent her from winning by opening lava streams in front of her. At this point, it was clear the stranger was Pele.

Poliahu ran towards the top of the mountain, reeling from the attack of the vengeful Pele. Once she regained her countenance, Poliahu threw snow at the lava and froze it everywhere, confining its spewing to the Southern end of the island.

To this day, Pele is said to rule Kilauea and Mauna Loa, but that she has to submit to Poliahu's rule in the Northern end of the island.

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