Key Info

- God of war, politics, fishing and farming

- Worship included human sacrifice

- Has thousands of forms

Brief Bio

In Hawaiian religion, Kū is one of the four great gods. The other three are Kanaloa, Kāne, and Lono. Some feathered god images or akua hulu manu are considered to represent Kū. Kū is worshiped under many names, including Kūkāʻilimoku, the "Snatcher of Land". Rituals for Kūkaʻilimoku included human sacrifice, which was not part of the worship of other gods.

While best known as a god of war, Kū also governs fishing, farming, and the cutting of trees for canoes. He represents male energy, resilience, and strength.

As an akua (god), Kū has thousands of kinolau (earthly body forms), including the pueo (owl), manō (shark), and ʻōhiʻa lehua tree.