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Hina (Goddess)

Hina is the name assigned to a number of Polynesian deities. The name Hina is usually related to a powerful female force (typically a goddess or queen) who has dominion over a specific entity. Some variations of the name Hina, include Sina, Hanaiakamalama, and Ina. In Hawaiian mythology, the name is usually paired with words which explain or identify the goddess and her power such as Hina-puku-iʻa (Hina-gathering-seafood) the goddess of fishermen, and Hina-ʻopu-hala-koʻa who gave birth to all reef life. Even within a single culture, Hina could refer to multiple goddesses and the distinction between Hina's different identities are not always clear. Her dominion extends over a range of different areas including sea-life, food, cloth making, gourds, and beauty.

Hina continues to be a worshiped figure in many of the Polynesian religions and her stories serve as traditions that unite Polynesia, specifically the Hawaiian Islands, together.

Hawaii

Wooden carved kiʻi of Hina (right) and Kūkaʻilimoku (left)

Even within Hawaiian mythology, Hina could refer to multiple different goddesses. Differentiating between these deities can be ambiguous and is highly debated. However, there are three specific Hawaiian deities named Hina who are widely known and can be distinguished from each other. Hina of Hilo is best known as the mother of Hawaiian hero, Māui and Hina the wife of Akalana is known as the goddess of the moon. Mahina the Hawaiian word for moon, is derived from the goddess’ name. Lady Hina-au-kekele was also named after Hina. The consorts of Hina include Chief ʻAikanaka, Sky Father Wākea, and/or Akalana with whom she gave birth to several children including Māui.

The worship of Hina marks a long tradition of the Hawaiian people across multiple Islands. Archaeologists have discovered remnants of a shrine, or Heiau, dedicated to Hina in Kalaupapa National and Historical Park, on the Hawaiian Island of Moloka’i. In some of the Hawaiian legends, the goddess lived on Kauiki, a foothill of the now-extinct volcano Haleakala on the southeast coast of the Island Maui. Westervelt claims Hina's legends were brought to the Hilo coast with ancient immigrants but the stories are so old that the Hawaiians have forgotten her original lands and see Hilo as her only home.

Legends of Hina and Māui

Many stories about the goddess Hina, especially in connection with the moon, can be found in chapter 15 (“Hina Myths”) of Martha Beckwith’s Hawaiian Mythology.

The legendary birth of Hina's son, Māui, describes a supernatural conception after Hina wore a red loincloth she found on the ocean shore. Once born, Hina wrapped locks of her hair around her son and set him on a bed of limu kala supported by jellyfish in the sea. Māui then traveled to Kuaihelani where he acquired his famous powers. Legend says when he returned, Māui performed incredible acts such as slowing the sun to make the days longer for his mother, Hina.

The story of Hina and her ascent to the moon can be found within the stories of many Polynesian groups, including those of Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, Hervey Islands, Fate Islands, Nauru, and other Pacific island groups. There is debate over which Hina the story refers to, but Westervelt suggests this legend is Hina, the wife of a chief called Aikanaka rather than to the Hina, the wife of Akalana, the father of Māui. One version of the story goes that Hina created beautiful Kapa cloth out of the bark of Banyan trees. However, she grew tired of land and decided to leave Hawaii. First, she traveled a rainbow towards the sun but did not enjoy the heat. The next night, Hina traveled on a rainbow to the moon. To this day, Hawaiians believe that Hina continues to make Kapa cloth for the gods out of the bark from a Banyan tree that grows on the moon.