Poliahu - The Snow Goddess

In Hawaiian mythology, there are stories told of the four snow goddesses who ruled over the mountains north of Kilauea. They wore elegant cloaks of snow in the high summits, which they traded for garments of golden sunshine from time to time. They were goddesses of nature who clothed mountain peaks in snow, which would melt into life giving streams as the maidens came down from the heights and made their way to the sea.

Lilinoe, Waiau, Kahoupokane and Poliahu were their names, but the most detailed stories are of Poliahu. She was resplendent with beauty and charm. She was quick of wit, gracious in manner, and adventurous in spirit.

Poliahu loved to frequent the cliffs that towered above the Hamakua coast. Sometimes she would join the games and sports that the mortal chiefs engaged in. More often, she would simply rest and watch the waves crash against the cliffs in great white sprays of foam.

It was on one such occasion, that the Chief Aiwohikupua of Kauai was passing through the area and saw the beautiful Poliahu. She beckoned to him to approach, and so enchanted was he, that he proposed marriage at that first meeting. Poliahu promised to marry the handsome chief and they exchanged cloaks in honor of their upcoming union.

Chief Aiwohikupua went to Kauai and assembled a host of canoes which he filled with singers and musicians, close friends and family. He donned the white cloak and a grand helmet of red feathers, and returned to Hawaii.

Poliahu, accompanied by the other snow maidens, went to greet Aiwohikupua when his party landed on the beach. As the women approached, the visitors from Kauai shivered with cold and looked at one another uneasily. So the maidens wrapped themselves in golden sunshine and spread warmth to the people. The following days were spent in the joyous celebration of the marriage festival. Poliahu then went with Aiwohikupua back to Kauai where celebrations began anew.

It was in the midst of these celebrations that a queen of Maui arrived. She confronted the couple, revealing that Aiwohikupua had promised marriage to her. The chief could not deny it. Poliahu was angered and abandoned her husband to his previous engagemen

Aiwohikupua and the Maui chiefess reconciled with the help of the chief’s close friends, and arrangements were made for their marriage ceremony. When the special day arrived, the chiefess was plagued with a terrible chill that settled deep in her bones. In despair, she ran to the chief for help. Aiwohikupua told her that Poliahu had wrapped a snow mantle around her and instructed her to go to the fire to warm herself. The chiefess did so, and when she got to the fire, the cold dissipated. Her relief was short lived as she was overcome with an unbearable raging heat. The chief declared that it was the anger of Poliahu. Frightened, the Maui chiefess left Aiwohikupua and fled back to her homeland.

Then, the cold descended on the chief and his friends. The frozen grip upon them was powerful and unforgiving. They shivered in blankets and cloaks, huddled together at the fires, but could do nothing for it as death approached. Then, Poliahu and the snow maidens appeared before the chief in ethereal and terrible beauty, their snow cloaks sparkling so brightly in the sun that they were hard to look upon. One more frosty breath, they cast upon the chief and his friends, before forsaking Kauai forever.

Poliahu - The Snow Goddess
By Genesis