Wahine-omao

Role: human helper and faithful follower of Hiiaka · First appears: Chapter XIV · How Hiiaka found Wahine-omao

In Chapter XIV, while Hiiaka was journeying through the lower forest, Wahine-omao asked to join her. She sacrificed the pig and fish, freeing herself from her vow of service to Pele. Though Pele charged her to follow Hiiaka and spy on her, Wahine-omao rejected the order and ran from the crater to Hiiaka. Hiiaka welcomed her as a faithful friend for the rest of the journey.

In Chapter XV, Wahine-omao and Pau-o-palae travelled with Hiiaka through the forests above Hilo. In Chapter XVI, Pau-o-palae decided to marry the chief and left Wahine-omao and Hiiaka to continue toward Lohiau. In Chapter XVII, Hiiaka told Wahine-omao that Lohiau was dead and that his spirit stood by a cave opening. Later, Pele called Wahine-omao from prison and told her how to restore happiness to Hiiaka; it was said that Wahine-omao became the wife of Lono-makua.

Relationship record

Life events

• Wahine-omao met Hiiaka and expressed her desire to join the journey.(Chapter XIV · How Hiiaka found Wahine-omao)
  • With: Hiiaka
  • “The newcomer looked longingly into the eyes of the young chiefess and said: ‘I have a great desire for that troublesome journey, but this pig is a sacrifice for the goddess of the crater. Shall I throw away the pig and go with you?’”
• Wahine-omao sacrificed the pig and fish, freeing herself from her vow of service to Pele.(Chapter XIV · How Hiiaka found Wahine-omao)
  • With: Pele
  • “Then she knew that the sacrifice had been accepted and that she was free from her vow of service to Pele. Every tabu upon her free action had been removed and she was free—free to do according to her own wish.”
• Pele charged Wahine-omao to follow Hiiaka and spy on her movements.(Chapter XIV · How Hiiaka found Wahine-omao)
  • With: Pele Hiiaka
  • “When she learned that they had been seen going on their journey she charged her new worshipper to go with Hiiaka and always spy upon her movements.”
• Wahine-omao rejected Pele’s order and ran from the crater to Hiiaka.(Chapter XIV · How Hiiaka found Wahine-omao)
  • With: Pele Hiiaka
  • “Then she ran from the crater, saying, ‘O Ku! O Ka!’ Her feet seemed to be placed on a swift-moving cloud and in a few moments she was dropped by the side of Hiiaka.”
• Pau-o-palae and the chief decided to marry, and she left Hiiaka and Wahine-omao.(Chapter XVI · Hiiaka and the Seacoast Kupuas · Part 2)
  • With: Pau-o-palae the chief (Chapter XVI) Hiiaka
  • “They at once decided to be married. Then she turned aside to his new home, leaving Hiiaka and Wahine-omao to go on after Lohiau.”
• Hiiaka told Wahine-omao that Lohiau was dead and that his spirit stood by a cave opening.(Chapter XVII · Lohiau · Part 1)
  • With: Hiiaka
  • “Hiiaka told Wahine-omao that Lohiau was dead and that she saw the spirit standing by the opening of a cave out on the pali of Haena.”
• Pele called Wahine-omao from prison and told her how to restore happiness to Hiiaka.(Chapter XVII · Lohiau · Part 3)
  • With: Pele
  • “Pele called Wahine-omao from her prison and listened to the story of Hiiaka’s faithfulness. Chagrined and full of self-blame, she told Wahine-omao how to restore happiness to her friend.”
• Wahine-omao became the wife of Lono-makua.(Chapter XVII · Lohiau · Part 3)
  • With: Lono-makua
  • “It was said that Wahine-omao became the wife of Lono-makua, the one kindling volcanic fire.”

Chapter XIV · How Hiiaka found Wahine-omao

• friends with Hiiaka “Thus Hiiaka sent her loving thoughts over forest and rugged lava plains to her dearest friend even while she opened her heart to another friend who served her with the utmost faithfulness and love all the rest of her eventful journey.”

Chapter XV · Hiiaka Catching a Ghost

• friends with Hiiaka “Hiiaka, the sister of Pele, and the goddess of ferns, and their new friend Wahine-omao, were hastening through the forests above the bay of Hilo.”
• friends with Pau-o-palae “Hiiaka, the sister of Pele, and the goddess of ferns, and their new friend Wahine-omao, were hastening through the forests above the bay of Hilo.”

Chapter XVII · Lohiau · Part 1

• friends with Hiiaka “As Hiiaka and her friend came near the island Kauai, Hiiaka told Wahine-omao that Lohiau was dead and that she saw the spirit standing by the opening of a cave out on the pali of Haena.”

Chapter XVII · Lohiau · Part 3

• friends with Hiiaka “Chagrined and full of self-blame, she told Wahine-omao how to restore happiness to her friend.”
• married with Lono-makua “Then Hiiaka returned to her place in the Pele family. It was said that Wahine-omao became the wife of Lono-makua, the one kindling volcanic fire.”

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Extracted from the original text of Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes. Made with Rho MD.