Nāmaka

In Hawaiian mythology, Nāmaka (or Nā-maka-o-Kahaʻi, the eyes of Kahaʻi) appears as a sea goddess or a water spirit in the Pele cycle. She is an older sister of Pele-honua-mea.[1][2]

For the moon of the dwarf planet Haumea, see Namaka (moon). For the hamlet in Canada, see Namaka, Alberta.

She is the daughter of Ku-waha-ilo and Haumea, whose other children are Pele, the Hiʻiaka sisters, the Kama brothers, and the bird Halulu. Aukelenuiaiku becomes Namaka's husband in Kahiki, but then later the husband of Pele, and because of this Pele, the Hiʻiaka sisters, Malulani, and Kaʻōhelo migrate to Hawaii. When Pele quarrels with her powerful sister, Namaka, Namaka sends tidal waves to destroy Pele's lands and homes. Helped by her family, Pele fights Namaka, but Namaka defeats her.[3]

In Thrum's Kane-huna-moku myth Nāmaka is called the chiefess of the Mu and Menehune people when they are summoned to build the watercourse for Kikiaola at Waimea on Kauaʻi (Beckwith 1970:193, 495).

When Pele causes a conflagration by staying too close to the fire god Lono-makua, Nāmaka drives her away (Beckwith 1970:170). Another legend mentions that Nāmaka's guardian dog, Moela is reduced to ashes when he touches Aukele (Beckwith 1970:348).

Moon

Namaka, the smaller moon of the dwarf planet Haumea, is named after the goddess.

Notes
  1. This article states: "She is the daughter of Ku-waha-ilo and Haumea, whose other children are Pele, the Hiʻiaka sisters, the Kama brothers, and the bird Halulu.", while the article on Haumea claims the Kane was the father.
  2. One version states that Pele was born from the head of Haumea, while Nāmaka was born from her thighs (Beckwith 1970:171).
  3. How Pele came to Hawai’i The Star Bulletin, 26 September 2005

References
  • M. Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology (University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu) 1970.


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