Ever wonder about the story behind this beautiful plant? It’s called the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua. It’s not a common plant here on O’ahu. It is normally seen on our Big Island “Hawai’i.” A little break from genealogy for a quick Hawaiian legend about two lovers and their encounter with the Goddess Pele. There are many versions of this legend of love and jealousy, but this is almost like the version I heard as a child growing up. (See below for link to full write up on this version of this legend.)
“According to the legend, Ohia was a strong, handsome young man; a natural athlete who excelled at every sport. It was love at first sight when Ohia first gazed upon the gentle, young Lehua, known throughout the island for her true beauty. After being introduced by Lehua’s father at a village dance, the two had eyes only for each other and soon settled into a blissful life together.
Pele, the fire goddess, decided one day to walk through the forest near where the happy couple made their home. As she wandered, she caught sight of Ohia as he worked, and decided she had to have him. She disguised herself as a beautiful woman and approached the strikingly attractive young man. Pele flirted and made romantic advances toward Ohia, who responded politely but rejected her attempts at seduction. Pele was angry, but didn’t give up easily.
After a time, Lehua went to her beloved husband. He immediately stopped what he was doing and went to her, his love evident. Pele flew into a rage at the sight of this, and transformed herself into a towering pillar of fire. She then turned Ohia into a twisted, ugly tree.
Lehua fell to the ground and begged Pele to return her husband to her, or to turn her into a tree to live beside him. Still furious, Pele refused and left the bereft woman in tears. The other gods saw Lehua and took pity on her. They turned her into a beautiful red flower and placed her in the tree, giving her the chance to be with Ohia forever.
Today, legend holds that while the flower remains in the tree it brings the lovely sunshine to islands, but if it is plucked from its home, soon after at being separated from Ohia, Lehua’s tears will fall in the form of rain.”
PC:Christine Mau
Write up credit/link: Ever wonder about the story behind this beautiful plant? It’s called the ʻŌhiʻa Lehua. It’s not a common plant here on O’ahu. It is normally seen on our Big Island “Hawai’i.” A little break from genealogy for a quick Hawaiian legend about two lovers and their encounter with the Goddess Pele. There are many versions of this legend of love & jealousy, but this is almost like the version I heard as a child growing up. “According to the legend, Ohia was a strong, handsome young man; a natural athlete who excelled at every sport. It was love at first sight when Ohia first gazed upon the gentle, young Lehua, known throughout the island for her true beauty. After being introduced by Lehua’s father at a village dance, the two had eyes only for each other and soon settled into a blissful life together.
Pele, the fire goddess, decided one day to walk through the forest near where the happy couple made their home. As she wandered, she caught sight of Ohia as he worked, and decided she had to have him. She disguised herself as a beautiful woman and approached the strikingly attractive young man. Pele flirted and made romantic advances toward Ohia, who responded politely but rejected her attempts at seduction. Pele was angry, but didn’t give up easily.
After a time, Lehua went to her beloved husband. He immediately stopped what he was doing and went to her, his love evident. Pele flew into a rage at the sight of this, and transformed herself into a towering pillar of fire. She then turned Ohia into a twisted, ugly tree.
Lehua fell to the ground and begged Pele to return her husband to her, or to turn her into a tree to live beside him. Still furious, Pele refused and left the bereft woman in tears. The other gods saw Lehua and took pity on her. They turned her into a beautiful red flower and placed her in the tree, giving her the chance to be with Ohia forever.
Today, legend holds that while the flower remains in the tree it brings the lovely sunshine to islands, but if it is plucked from its home, soon after at being separated from Ohia, Lehua’s tears will fall in the form of rain.”
PC:Christine Mau
Link to full story:https://atlantisadventures.com/hawaiian-legends-ohia-lehua/
#ohialehua #hawaiianlegends #hawaii #oahu #bigisland #pele #kawaiahao
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