The Hawaiian Belief System

Kū , Lono, Kanaloa, along with Kāne are the four major Hawaiian gods.

How many major gods are there?

• 5

• 4

• 3

• 2

Kāne plays a major role in the everyday life of a Hawaiian because Kāne is associated with the forces of nature that give us life. He is the sunlight. He is the fresh water. He is the kalo, the staple food of the Hawaiian race.

True or False:

One would pray to Kāne for victory in battle.

• True

• False

Kū is the man and for the work of males. The role of Kū is to protect and provide for ʻohana and the community and also the god of war.

There are different forms of Kū for fishing, farming, caring for family, bird catching, woodcarving, gathering medicine and building canoes.

True or False:

For every type of work that people might perform, there is a form of Kū to worship.

• True

• False

Lono is the Hawaiian god of agriculture and rain.Legend has it that Lono is responsible for bringing cultivated plants to Hawaiʻi. Lono is also is associated with the makahiki celebration. Makahiki is a time of peace and recreation. It’s a time to celebrate the hard work of farming and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.

What is something one would do to honor Lono?

• Rest

• Play games

• Feast

• All of the above

Kanaloa is associated with the ocean, long distance voyaging, and healing. Kanaloa is known as Kāne’s traveling partner. Kanaloa and Kāne build fishponds, end famine, build canoes and sail them.

Which of the following is TRUE about Kāne and Kanaloa?

• They can be seen as companion gods.

• They can be seen as enemy(rival) gods.

The main goddess was Papa, the mother of nature.

Other goddesses include:

Laka, the goddess of hula.

Hina, the mother of the demigod Maui.

Kapo, the goddess of the South Pacific.

Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes.

Na-maka-o-Kaha'i, the goddess of water and the sea.

Poli'ahu, the goddess of snow.

True or False:

Gods and goddesses represented different parts of nature.

• True

• False