Hawaiians are a deeply spiritual people. His inspiration and manna (spiritual power, energy and life force) come from the powerful forces of your natural world. This world was huge. It stretched beyond the eight main islands of Hawaii and encompassed Kahiki, Aotearoa, Te Pito or te Henua and everything else. It encompassed the breadth of the largest ocean on earth and included a sea of ​​stars in an endless night sky. Based on the enormity of their world, it is no wonder why the ancient Hawaiians were polytheists.

There are more than 400,000 different gods recognized in Hawaiian culture. These include the main deities, demigods, ‘aumakua (ancestral gods), and many lesser Akua (Gods). Each had their own sphere of influence over some aspect of Hawaiian society. In this pantheon of Akua were the ones who had the greatest kuleana (responsibilities) such as war or politics and others with less important roles. Not all akua hawaii ‘I (Hawaiian gods) were worshiped by each individual. The gods varied from place to place and from island to island. The gods also differed based on a person’s area of ​​expertise, for example, a canoe maker would not necessarily pray to the gods of hula (dance) for support and vice versa. However, there were some deities and spiritual beliefs that all Hawaiians adhered to regardless of their status or class.

Listed below are the major gods collectively known as Ka Ha (bed. all four) that influenced all aspects of the Hawaiian world. They were equally revered among all the islands in ancient times and are recognized throughout Polynesia as some of the most powerful gods in Oceania.

In this list, readers will find the common name of each god, along with their sphere of influence. Also included are some of the main Kinolau belonging to each Akua. Kinolau it literally means “many forms”. They are the physical manifestations of a Akua and although they often take the form of a plant or an animal, Kinolau they are not just limited to flora and fauna.

Common name:

Ku

Other names:

Kunuiakea, Kuka’ilimoku.

God of:

War, politics, sorcery, agriculture, fishing, bird hunting, canoe building.

Kinolau:

‘That is,’ Ohi’a Lehua, Loulu, ‘Ulu, Niu, Pueo, Mano,’ Io, Niuhi, ‘Ilio, Koa.

Common name:

The non

Other names:

Lonoikaouali’i, Lonoikamakahiki.

God of:

Peace, fertility, agriculture, prosperity, sports, healing (medicinal herbs), making love.

Kinolau:

Pua’a, Kukui, Hapu’u, Ipu, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, ‘Ama’ama,’ Ohua Palemo, thunder, clouds, lightning, rain.

Common name:

Kane

Other names:

Kanenuiakea.

God of:

Fresh water, life, procreation, canoe builders, rising ‘o’opu, healing.

Kinolau:

Wai, ‘Ohe, Ko, La’i, Wauke, Kalo, forests, sunrise.

Common name:

Kanaloa

Other names:

N / A

God of:

Deep ocean, ocean winds, fishing, travel, healing.

Kinolau:

Ocean, Mai’a, Muhe’e, He’e, ocean winds, sunset.