Kumukahi

Who is Kanaloa?

Kanaloa is one of the four major akua (gods) of traditional Hawaiian religion. He is associated with the ocean, long distance voyaging, and healing. We do not have much information about Kanaloa as we do for Kāne, Lono, and Kū. Our Hawaiian traditions describe Kanaloa as a companion of Kāne. Migrating from Kahiki, they travel together around the Hawaiian Islands opening freshwater springs for their ʻawa.

Even though Kanaloa’s role in Hawaiʻi is not prevalent in our oral histories, he takes on greater importance in other parts of Polynesia. In Aotearoa (New Zealand), the Māori people call him Tangaroa or Takaroa. There, he is god of the sea. In Sāmoa, the belief is that Tagaloa is the creator of the universe. In Tonga, Tangaloa ruled the heavens, and his offspring are the high chiefs. The Tahitian counterpart of Kanaloa, Taʻaroa, is alone in the universe until he cracks his shell and uses the pieces to form the world.

What are the kinolau of Kanaloa?

Kanaloa is lord of the ocean. In fact, the ocean itself is thought to be one of Kanaloa’s bodies. It’s appropriate that he has many sea creatures, such as in the octopus and squid, as his kinolau (body forms).

Other ocean-related kinolau of Kanaloa are the naiʻa (dolphin) and the koholā, or whale. Kanaloa is another name for the island of Kahoʻolawe. The island serves as a center for learning open-ocean navigation and healing practices.

Kanaloa has land forms also, particularly the maiʻa (banana), and other plants of medicinal value.

The ‘uhaloa (Waltheria indica) plant is a kinolau of Kanaloa. It is also known by the names ‘ala‘alapūloa, hala ‘uhaloa, hi‘aloa, and kanakaloa. It is used medicinally to treat a number of different ailments.

The ʻōlelo noʻeau (traditional saying) about this plant goes like this: Aia i kula i ka ‘ala‘alapūloa. This means, “Gone to the plains to gather ‘ala‘alapūloa.” It means the same thing as “going on a wild goose chase.”

The major Hawaiian akua have several godly forms that bear their name. For example, one form of the akua Kū is Kūkāʻilimoku (Kū, the island snatcher); a form of Kāne is Kānehoalani (the sun). Kanaloa, however, is unique. His name is not used to describe other forms.

What is Kanaloa’s main role?

Kanaloa is known as Kāne’s traveling partner. Kanaloa is said to be tall with a fair complexion. Kāne is darker, with curly hair and thick lips. These two gods are well known as ʻawa drinkers and for establishing sources of water. Some say Kanaloa would point out the source, and Kāne would bring forth the water. Kāne and Kanaloa are also known as growers of maiʻa.

Kanaloa and Kāne are paired together in other work as well. In building a waʻa (canoe), Kāne is invoked, while Kanaloa, lord of ocean winds, is invoked in sailing the waʻa. The northern limit of the sun’s seasonal travel is called ke alanui polohiwa a Kāne (the dark path of Kāne); its southern limit is ke alanui polohiwa a Kanaloa (the dark path of Kanaloa).

In stories, Kanaloa and Kāne build fishponds and end famine. They even test the integrity of people they meet in their travels. An old article about Kanaloa and Kāne confirms their godly powers:

No Kona Mana
Eia hoʻi kekahi mana o lāua, he hiki hoʻi iā lāua ke lawe i ke ola o kekahi kanaka, ke ʻauʻa i kā lāua mea e noi aku ai, inā he ʻawa, a i ʻole ia, he mea ʻē aʻe paha, e like me ko lāua makemake.

Regarding [their] godly powers
Their powers were such that if one withheld something that they asked for, such as ʻawa or something else, they could take his life if they saw fit to do so.

       From Ka Hoomana Kahiko, Helu II.
       Nupepa Kuokoa
       Buke 4, Helu 2
       12 Ianuali 1865

Where can we find Kanaloa?

Kanaloa is paired with Kāne not only on earth, but also in the heavens. Kāne is embodied in the rising sun, the energy that gives us life. Kanaloa’s red footprints are found in the heavens—ke alanui maʻawe ʻula a Kanaloa. This is a poetic reference to the western sky, where the sun sets.

As an akua, Kanaloa is a distinct individual with specific characteristics. In the moʻolelo, he is mentioned alongside Kāne. The complementary pairing of Kāne and Kanaloa reflects a pattern that is common in Hawaiian culture and worldview. Companion gods who cover different, sometimes opposite aspects of life make for a more complete world.