Hina: The Hawaiian Moon Goddess

Hina is the female generating force in Hawaiian cosmology and one of the oldest goddesses in Hawaii.

As creatrix, she is paired with the god Ku, the male generating force.

Hina is also worshiped as a specific goddess as well, usually in association with the moon and presiding over all other goddesses.

Many Identities of Hina

She takes on many identities such as the mother of Maui the trickster, the goddess of corals, and mother of the pig god Kamapua’a, but her most worshipped form is that of Hina-i-ka-malama, or Hina-in-the-moon.

The Hawaiian word for moon (mahina) also means month and moonlight, symbols usually associated with women.

Each form of Hina is the personification of the feminine, and the many Hinas represent the many aspects of the feminine.

She is even sometimes referred to as another manifestation of Pele, further stressing the fact that it is the personification of this feminine deity that is important for the Hawaiians, not the specifics.

Worshipped as creatrix, mother, protector, and sometimes wrathful destroyer, her many manifestations as different goddesses highlight the power and mystery of the feminine.

Common Myths about Hina

Because of the nature of Hawaiian mythology and the oral tradition in general, it is difficult to pinpoint any one Hina myth, as there are many versions.

The most common claims she worked creating bark cloth, got tired of not being appreciated, packed up her gourd, got on a rainbow, and headed for the sun against the wishes of her husband.

Finding the sun too hot, she came back down. The next night there was a full moon, so Hina decided to climb to the moon in hopes of finding it a more hospitable place to live.

Her husband was furious, so they fought. Hina claimed her desire was to go live with the moon, her new husband, and managed to escape.

In another myth, she is portrayed as “goddess of the corals and spiny creatures of the sea” and lives under the sea with her family until she meets a chief and travels to the surface of the water and moves to the land.

She brings a calabash (coconut gourd) containing the moon and all the stars, which later wind up in the heavens.

These different Hina myths represent different manifestations of Hina, the former referring to the moon goddess and the latter to the goddess of the sea.

The Meaning of Hina

In most cultures, the moon has feminine implications.

Hina represents strength and standing for what you believe in.

She is the feminine power personified as conviction and is known for being headstrong. With determination and creativity, your wildest dreams are possible.

Note: Another variation of this myth involves a flood where all but the chief and Hina’s family are killed.

Ikam is a freelance writer from South Florida. She received her Masters in Religious Studies in 2001, specializing in myth and ritual. She has worked with victims of crime and trauma and also has a Masters in Criminal Justice, which she got in 2008. Ikam is interested in spirituality, healing, health, and the paranormal. She loves writing about a wide variety of topics, including travel, entertainment, culture, and health. Ikam wants to be a part of the Cycle Harmony community in hopes she will help and inspire others to achieve their goals, as well as share ideas on women, spirituality, and healthy living.

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