ORIGIN: Polynesian (Hawaiian)
TYPE: Goddess
INFORMATION: The daughter of Haumea and younger sister of Pele, the volcano goddess, Hi'aika is the mistress of the dance and especially of the hula. Separate traditions identify her with Laka, the god of the hula and the son of Kane, the god of light; and with a goddess, Na Wahine, the daughter of the primordial creator principle Keawe. The hula was designed to give a formalized structure to the enactment of myths and among the favorite topics is the romance between Pele and the hero Lohiau. According to mythology Hi'aika was entrusted with a mission to fins Lohiau on Pele's behalf and to bring him back to her, a mission that subsequently enflamed the jealousy of Pele over her sister's developing relationship with Lohiau, and brought about his death in Pele's fiery lava.