Kamapua'a - The Pig God

The Hawaiian Pig God, Kamapua'a

In Hawaiian mythology, many gods and goddesses stood supreme over the exotic landscapes of the Hawaiian Island Chain.  Kamapua'a was known as the Pig God.  In the Hawaiian language, Kamapua'a translates roughly to "Pig Child".  Born on the island of Oahu to human parents, Kamapua'a was an adventurous and often mischeivious character.  Of his many powers, he possessed the ability to change his form from human to hog.  Kamapua'a was worshipped only by commoners.  

"The pig god was associated with Lono, the god of agriculture, and with farming and fertility.  This was based on the perception that pigs root in the earth, like a farmer.  The pig-god has the attributes of pigs: big, strong, gluttonous, bristly, noisy, agile, sharp-eyed; also a loner, a wanderer, a trespasser who could be aggressive and destructive; and sexually potent.  Various episodes in his tradition depict him as struggling to become more human."

Hawaiian legends states that in his human form, Kamapua'a was very strong, attractive and charismatic.  He could easily persuade the women of the local villages.  The legends say that Kamapua'a traveled to Maui and Tahiti, exploring and causing mischief along the way.  Finally, he returns to the Big Island, Hawaii.  While on Hawaii island, Kamapua'a falls in love with Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire.  Pele initially turns him away calling him the "child of a pig".  With time, Kamapua'a finds his way into Pele's heart and they fall deeply in love.  

It is said that their romance was short lived.   Soon, their battles far outweighed their love for each other.  Leading to a massive battle in which Kamapua'a tried to extinguish Pele’s flame.  Eventually the two gods agree to split this island between them, Pele taking the regions of Puna, Ka'u and Kona (current location of Hawaii's lava fields), and Kamapua'a taking the districts of Kohala, Hamakua and Hilo where the moisture prevails.  Even today, there are many formations around the islands that the Hawaiian people see as evidence of past battles between Kamapua'a and Pele.

Artist's depiction of Pele and Kamapua'a.

"Defiant of all authority, bold and untamed, he is the pig within us, the creature thirsting greedily after the good things in life--adventure, love and sensual pleasure. Treacherous and tender, he is the best and the worst of all of us."