Key Info

- First child was stillborn and produced the taro plant

- Second child became the common ancestor of all Hawaiians

Brief Bio

The most famous child of Wākea and Papa, Hoʻohōkūkalani, became Wākea's lover, according to the famous myth. Her full name is given as Kahoʻohokuokalani-i-kau-i-kaheahea ("she who sets the stars in heaven and adorns the celestial regions").

When Hoʻohōkūkalani gave birth to a stillborn baby, it was Papa who named the child Haloa. The son was then buried facing the rising sun in the East. From this spot, taro sprung. The plant, which had heart-shaped leaves and was rather large, was named Hāloanakalaukapalili. This plant was very important for the diet of the Hawaiians. 

Later, Wākea and Hoʻohōkūkalani produced another, living child, also called Hāloa, who was the first of the Native Hawaiian People. This is where the saying "mamo na Hāloa," or descendant of Hāloa originate from. It is a popular belief throughout the Native Hawaiian people that through their relationship to Hāloa, they are related to the kalo (or taro) and are thus related to the rest of the world.