Don't confuse me with the soccer star. I'm a goddess, dammit: In Hawaiian mythology, Pele is a goddess of fire, lightning, dance, volcanoes and violence. She is a daughter of Haumea and Kane Milohai, and lives on Kilauea.
Her father exiled her from her homeland, Honua-Mea in Tahiti, because of her bad temper, and a violent personality. She sailed from Tahiti in a canoe guided by her shark-god brother Ka-moho-alii, and was followed by her still-angry elder sister. Every time she landed on an island and created a new volcanic home, it was flooded out by Na-maka-o-Kahai. Finally, the epic battle ended near Hana, Maui, where Pele was torn apart by her sister. Legend says her bones still remain as a hill called Ka-iwi-o-Pele.
Upon death, she became a god and found a home in Kilauea, on Mauna Loa, on the Island of Hawaii. Pele is known for her violent temper, but also for her common visits among mortals. She is said to appear either as a tall, beautiful young woman or as a very old, ugly and frail woman. She is often accompanied by a white dog and typically tests people by asking if they have any food, drink and in more recent times, rides to another part of the island. Those who show kindness are rewarded and spared. Those who are cruel or disrespectful are punished by way of having their homes or crops destroyed. When enraged she may appear as a woman all aflame or as pure flame.
