Pelehonuamea: “She Who Shapes the Sacred Land”

By Karyn Chambers

Photos by Lauri Canencia-How

On May 31, 2025, I was privileged to attend the Pelehonuamea Workshop with Kumu Leialoha Ilae-Kaleimamahu from Mokuhulu, Puna, who has been teaching courses for over 30 years. She leads by example and works for change through “aina, “love for the land.” I felt deeply moved by the power of the Hawaiian language and culture. As a world traditions teacher, I so appreciate the opportunity to learn directly from a kumu rooted through ancestry and in depth training about Hawaiian spirituality. She has also taught at Hilo Community College for 10 years.

 Her tradition of Hula comes through the lineage of Halau o Kekuhihi and ‘uniki (graduated) under Kumu Hula Kekuhikeali’ikanka’ole. Leialoha has taught Hula for 25 years with a program she co-founded with Ana Kon. This program is called Kukulu Kumuhana o Puna.

This workshop entailed delving into the ancient Pele culture and teachings relevant today, especially as it relates to Summer Solstice. Pelehonuamea means “she who shapes the sacred land,” which highlights her significant role in destroying and creating the Hawaii island chain through volcanic activity. It’s also “Pele of the red earth,” and “Pele, eater of trees.”  Through the magma, we have new land to live on and enjoy.  Using the ancient knowledge revealed in the chants, we find the history of the early people coming from Bora Bora on canoes. Kane, the captain, was the navigator; however, Pelehonuamea sat at the rear of the canoe, steering, recognized as “the Boss” in command at the back. They followed the map in the sky. Once passing the equator, their whole consciousness changed.  Interestingly, Puna is where they landed.

This workshop was rich with encouragement and inspiration to become a student of the Hawaiian language to uncover the way to live and flourish on the land (the aina). Kanawai refers to the law of belonging. Wai means water, the most valuable resource.  Kana is “belonging”; thus, it’s “what belongs to the water.” Hua aina are the laws for living on the land and increasing its resources.  The Four Laws of Hua Aina Pele presented in the chants, Kukulu Ka Pahu 

1. Lava will always flow to create new land. 

2. When there’s evidence of volcanic activity, it’s best for humans not to be there. 

3. Once Pele moves on an area, it’s free from prohibition. 

4. Then the land is suitable for human uses and reforestation. 

The next section of the workshop was led by our co-leader Ana Kon, who taught us how to research Hawaiian words and also connect them with their mythology. We were each assigned a word to investigate the deeper meaning and then share with the group. My word was Hua, meaning “fruit, tuber, egg, produce, yield, ovum, seed, grain, offspring, meat, testicle.” It was fascinating to learn the depth of the language and how to apply it practically to our lives here on the island. 

Ana guided us through understanding the moon cycles as necessary for growing produce, fishing, and also our human lives. Ho’onui=growing. Every moon phase has an essence, an energy to become mindful of,  to live in harmony with this essence, and to increase our abundance.  The information provided was definitely a lot to take in. However, the overall message I received was that there is a vast amount of ancient knowledge/wisdom available to those who invest time and energy to learn and apply it to life. We can live in alignment with the energetic cycles revealed by the moon and in the growing seasons to know which fruits and vegetables to plant when.  This wise teaching also applies to fishing, rituals, ceremonies, and times to rest, abstaining from farming and fishing. 

The Hawaiian deities play significant roles in different aspects of life. Kane=light; life force. Lono=fertility, growth, rain, harvest. Pele=fire, summer solstice. Our second session was held on Summer Solstice, June 21st, at Volcano National Park, where we gathered at 7 am to participate in a Pelehonuamea ceremony at the crater rim of Kilauea, where we danced and chanted to honor Pele. As preparation, we each created Ti leaf leis to offer to Pele. This culmination of the workshop provided an opportunity to share in the energy for rejuvenation and healing. 

Adorned with our Kiheis (a sacred garment designed to trap the energies within the wearer), tied over our shoulders and our Ti leaf leis around our necks, we were guided by Kumu Lei and followed her up to the caldera of the volcano. Two hula dancers led us in the sacred movements while Kumu Lei sang the ancient chant to engage with the elements, activating all of our senses. As we observed, Kumu gathered our leis and tossed them into the crater as a sacred offering to Pele. We held hands as she sang the final chant while we students followed along and felt the unity of our energies. Lauri Canencia-How, my friend and photographer, said this: “As Kumu Lea chanted in a loud, powerful voice, I could feel the power of her mana vibrate through my hands into my entire soul. To hear, see, and feel such power vibrating at the caldera was a pure blessing.” 

As we hugged and said our alohas, I felt engulfed with the holy energy, breathing it in, filled with gratitude and love for the community and the aina, truly an honor. Not only did I feel moved to want to explore and learn more of the exquisite Hawaiian language, but also the sacred energy of deities of the aina and the power of communing with all of the elements for prosperity and abundance. Kumu Lea’s classes are found on her website www.leikcreative.com, Hua Aina.  She offers an 8-week online Language Class and Hula in person on Tuesdays/Thursdays, 11 am-12:15 pm. For more information, contact [email protected]. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about Hawai’i through its Cultural Lens from a beautiful, dedicated Kumu of multi-generational descent. 

This workshop was made available through Puna Rising’s A Moveable Feast, a year long celebration to build community here in Puna with its ultimate goal to empower residents through cultural preservation and eventually establish a community resource center for the community to gather and thrive. Check out other upcoming events on https://punarising.com and join in!