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Description

In the ancient myths of Hawaii, a divine and powerful figure known as Papa (Papahānaumoku) holds a significant role. She is regarded as the wife of Wākea, who is considered the Father Sky in the Hawaiian religion, representing the male creative power. Together, Papa and Wākea personify the divine masculinity and femininity, and their union resulted in the creation of the Hawaiian Islands.
According to the myths, Papa and Wākea are not only the ancestors of the Hawaiian chiefs and noblemen but are also credited with the birth of the islands, including Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Chiefs of ancient Hawaii claimed their descent from Papa, believing they possessed divine qualities inherited from her.
Among the notable offspring of Papa and Wākea is Hoʻohokukalani, who became Wākea's lover in a famous myth. When Hoʻohokukalani gave birth to a stillborn baby, Papa named the child Haloa and buried him in the soft earth, giving rise to the first taro plant. Hoʻohokukalani and Wākea later had another child named Haloa, who also played an important role in Hawaiian mythology. In reverence of Papa, a women's temple known as Hale o Papa is a central religious structure associated with her worship. These temples are often connected to luakini, or "men's temples" dedicated to the gods Kū and Lono, although some believe that Hale o Papa can also stand independently.

Description

In the ancient myths of Hawaii, a divine and powerful figure known as Papa (Papahānaumoku) holds a significant role. She is regarded as the wife of Wākea, who is considered the Father Sky in the Hawaiian religion, representing the male creative power. Together, Papa and Wākea personify the divine masculinity and femininity, and their union resulted in the creation of the Hawaiian Islands.
According to the myths, Papa and Wākea are not only the ancestors of the Hawaiian chiefs and noblemen but are also credited with the birth of the islands, including Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Chiefs of ancient Hawaii claimed their descent from Papa, believing they possessed divine qualities inherited from her.
Among the notable offspring of Papa and Wākea is Hoʻohokukalani, who became Wākea's lover in a famous myth. When Hoʻohokukalani gave birth to a stillborn baby, Papa named the child Haloa and buried him in the soft earth, giving rise to the first taro plant. Hoʻohokukalani and Wākea later had another child named Haloa, who also played an important role in Hawaiian mythology. In reverence of Papa, a women's temple known as Hale o Papa is a central religious structure associated with her worship. These temples are often connected to luakini, or "men's temples" dedicated to the gods Kū and Lono, although some believe that Hale o Papa can also stand independently.