Those who live with the sea those who know a family quarrel
Symbols
The waveThe tideThe eyesThe seaThe shore
Mythology Summary
Namakaokaha'i is an akua of the sea and the older sister of Pele in the Hawaiian Pele family, a daughter of Ku-waha-ilo and Haumea. When Pele takes Namaka's husband 'Aukelenuia'iku, the sisters become enemies, and Namaka sends the tides to overwhelm Pele's land; she is the sea that contests the volcano's new land. In Thrum's Kaua'i tradition she is also the chiefess of the Mu and Menehune when they are summoned to build a watercourse. The name means 'the eyes of Kaha'i', and the family genealogy is the tradition's.
Modern Practice
Namaka is honoured at the shore with sea water, salt and the first catch, and her practice is the respect due to the tide and the surf. She is named in the Pele chants, and the family story is told rather than ritualised. The sea is not a metaphor for her.