Wākea facts for kids

In the Hawaiian religion, Wākea is known as the Sky father. He married Papahānaumoku, who is the Earth Mother. Together, they are seen as the parents of the ancient chiefs of Hawaii.

Wākea was the oldest son of Kahiko, whose name means "Ancient One." Wākea is considered the ancestor of the `aliʻi`, who were the nobility or ruling class of Hawaii. His name, Wākea, means "expansive space" or "heaven." Papahānaumoku's name, Papa, means "foundation" or "surface." Together, their names represent the connection between the sky and the earth. Ancient Hawaiians believed that after people passed away, their souls would travel to Wākea's home.

The Family of Sky and Earth

In some Hawaiian stories, Wākea lived in a place called Hihiku. He married Papahānaumoku, who was a princess. It is believed that Wākea and Papahānaumoku helped create the Hawaiian Islands.

They had a daughter named Hoʻohokukalani. Later, Hoʻohokukalani had a child with Wākea. This child was named Haloa-naka-lau-kapalili. This name means "trembling long stalk." Haloa-naka-lau-kapalili became the very first kalo, also known as taro. Kalo is a plant that was a very important food for Hawaiians.

After Haloa-naka, Hoʻohokukalani had another child. This child was named Haloa, meaning "long stalk." This second Haloa became the first Hawaiian person, or `kanaka`.

The Bond Between People and Land

The story of Haloa-naka (the taro plant) and Haloa (the first human) shows a special connection. It teaches about the balance between the land and the people. Haloa-naka, as the older "sibling," is responsible for helping the younger "sibling," Haloa. The taro plant provides food and life for the people.

In return, the people must take care of the taro. They make sure the kalo plants grow well. This shows how people should respect and care for the land. Just like you wouldn't argue in front of your older siblings or elders, Hawaiians believed it was not right to argue in front of kalo plants.

More Islands Created

Later, Wākea and Papahānaumoku came together again. They created more islands. These islands include Kaua'i, Ni'ihau, Lehua, and Kaʻula.

Wākea's Creation Story

One old story says that the first person on Earth was a woman named Laʻilaʻi. She and her husband, Kealiʻiwahilani, were the parents of Kahiko. Kahiko was Wākea's father.

In this tradition, Wākea himself made the land and sea. He used a special gourd, or `‘ipu`. He threw the gourd high into the sky, and it became the heavens. From its juice, he made the rain. And from the seeds of the gourd, he created the sun, moon, and stars.