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Hawaiian religion facts for kids

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Pu'ukohola Heiau temple2
The ruins of Puʻukohola Heiau, a Hawaiian temple (heiau) used as a place of worship and sacrifice.

The Hawaiian religion is a religion. It includes the folk religious beliefs and practises of the Hawaiian people. It started amongst the Tahitians and other Pacific islanders who landed in Hawaiʻi between 500 and 1300 AD. Today, Hawaiian religious practices are protected by law.

Hawaiian religion is animistic. It is based on a belief that spirits are found in non-human beings and objects such as animals, the waves, and the sky.

Hawaiian mythology includes the creation stories and legends about the gods. There are several gods in Hawaiian religion and mythology. The four most important deities are Kāne, Kū, Lono and Kanaloa. The figures in Hawaiian religion consists of several groups. One way of dividing these groups is:

  • the four gods (ka hā) – Kū, Kāne, Lono, Kanaloa
  • the forty male gods or aspects of Kāne (ke kanahā)
  • the four Hundred gods and goddesses (ka lau)
  • the great Multitude of gods and goddesses (ke kini akua)
  • the spirits (na ʻunihipili)
  • the guardians (na ʻaumākua)

Another way of dividing them is into three major groups:

  • the four gods, or akua: Kū, Kāne, Lono, Kanaloa
  • many lesser gods, or kupua, each associated with certain professions
  • family gods, ʻaumakua, associated with particular families

Images for kids

  • Jean-Pierre Norblin de La Gourdaine (after Louis Choris), Temple du Roi dans la baie Tiritatéa (c. 1816, published 1822)

    A depiction of a royal heiau (Hawaiian temple) at Kealakekua Bay, c. 1816

  • Arago – Iles Sandwich - Vue du Morai du Roi a Kayakakoua

    Kailua-Kona, Island of Hawaii

  • Kuka'ilimoku

    Hawaiian God - Ku

  • Arago – 'Supplice Sandwich'

    Hawaiian sacrifice, from Jacques Arago's account of Freycinet's travels around the world from 1817 to 1820.

  • Figure of Lono-71.1879.10.11-DSC00191-black

    Figure of Lono

  • US Navy hula 031112-N-3228G-001

    Hula being performed during a ceremony at ʻIolani Palace where the Navy returned control of Kahoʻolawe to the State of Hawaiʻi in 2003

  • Heiau-Ulupo-altar

    Offerings presented by Hawaiian religious practitioners at Ulupo Heiau, 2009

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Religión hawaiana para niños

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Hawaiian religion Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.