Key Info

- Powerful shapeshifting lizard goddess who ascended to goddesshood

Brief Bio

Kihawahine Mokuhinia Kalama‘ula Kalā‘aiheana was the daughter of the powerful sixteenth-century ruling chief of Māui, Pi‘ilani, and his sacred pi‘o wife Lā‘ieloheloheikawai. This exceptionally high ʻUlu line of genealogy carried down from Hāloa meant that piʻo unions of this branch would continue to produce gods. Kalā‘aiheana’s two brothers Lonoapi‘ilani and Kihaapi‘ilani were to become Mō‘ī of Māui, and her sister Pi‘ikea would marry ruling chief ‘Umialīloa. Kihawahine herself would leave a decendency along the Maluna line that would later include the ruling Mō‘ī, Kalākaua and his sister Lili‘uokalani. Upon Kalā‘aiheana’s death, her iwi (bones) were wrapped in kapa and placed in the waters of the royal fishpond at Mokuhinia, Lahaina. A ceremony deifying this high-ranking chiefess transformed her into the mo‘o goddess Kihawahine. It is said that this terrifying and powerful mo‘o had so many taboo associated with her it was impossible to name them all. 

Mo‘o were often guardians of fresh water ponds and Kihawahine’s residence was Mokuhinia i ka Malu‘uluolele (Mokuhinia in the breadfruit shade of Lele). This royal inland-fishpond housed the island residence of Moku‘ula. This home to centuries of ruling chiefs was a piko (center) of traditional religious and political life.