The Hawaiian goddess of snow and ice, resident of Mauna Kea. Poliahu is Pele's rival, and their conflict represents the opposition of ice and fire on Hawaii's highest mountain.
Poliahu is the goddess of snow and ice, making her home on Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in Hawaii. She represents a different kind of power than her rival Pele - cool, serene, and majestic rather than fiery and tempestuous.
The Snow Maidens
Poliahu is one of four snow goddesses (sometimes called snow maidens) who dwell on the high peaks of Hawaii: Poliahu herself, Lilinoe (goddess of mist), Waiau (goddess of Lake Waiau on Mauna Kea), and Kahoupokane (goddess of hupu flowers). Together they represent the alpine environment of Hawaii's highest mountains.
Rivalry with Pele
Poliahu and Pele are eternal rivals. In many stories, they compete for the same lovers, with disastrous results. In one famous tale, they competed in holua sledding, with Pele's fires battling Poliahu's snow for dominance of the mountain slopes.
Cool Beauty
Poliahu is described as beautiful beyond mortal description, dressed in shimmering white kapa cloth like snow. Unlike the tempestuous Pele, Poliahu is calm and regal.
Origin Story
Poliahu has always been associated with Mauna Kea, making her home on its snowy summit since ancient times. She may have arrived in Hawaii before Pele, or may represent the island's original snow deity whom Pele's arrival placed in opposition.
Cross-Pantheon Parallels
Similar deities across different mythologies
SkadiNorse
Both are goddesses associated with snow and high mountains
Primary Sources
Historical texts and references
“On Mauna Kea dwells Poliahu, dressed in white, beautiful and cold as snow.”
