Welaahilaninui facts for kids
| Welaahilaninui | |
|---|---|
| Father | Iwahinakiʻiakea |
| Mother | Lohanakiʻipapa |
| Wife | Owe |
| Issue | Kahiko |
In Hawaiian mythology, Welaʻahilaninui was a very important figure. People believed he was either a god or the very first human. He is known as an ancestor of the Hawaiian people, especially the important leaders called chiefs. His story is told in an old Hawaiian chant called the Kumulipo.
What His Name Means
Welaʻahilaninui's name helps us understand who he was. It can also be spelled as Wela-Ahi-Lani-Nui.
- Wela means "heat" or "fire."
- Ahi also means "fire."
- Lani means "sky" or "heaven."
- Nui means "the great."
So, his name can mean "the great, burning fire in the heavens." This connects to stories about how fire came to be.
His Family
Welaʻahilaninui's wife was named Owe. They had a son named Kahiko. Kahiko later became the father of Wākea, who is known as the Sky Father in Hawaiian stories.
Welaʻahilaninui's parents were Iwahinakiʻiakea and Lohanakiʻipapa.
Stories About Welaahilaninui
Hawaiian traditions tell many stories about how people first got fire. One of these stories says that fire was found during Welaʻahilaninui's time. This makes sense because his name includes words for "fire."
According to a historian named Abraham Fornander, Welaʻahilaninui and his wife, Owe, were the first human couple. They were created by three great Hawaiian gods: Lono, Kāne, and Kū.
