He Hulikoʻa Kanaloa- Seeking the Depths of Kanaloa

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to reach a more holistic understanding of Kanaloa, one of the major male forms of the divine in the Hawaiian pantheon. It examines infrequently accessed Hawaiian language resources in order to expand on his functions in ancestral times, as well as readdress narrow interpretations of him that ignore the depth and breadth of ʻike kupuna. In addition to prioritizing primary resources, this thesis also works to acknowledge Kanaloa’s position as a pan-Polynesian deity, and speaks to the variation with which Oceanic deities have been understood across time and place. The first chapter of this thesis discusses Tahiti’s Taʻaroa and the connections he bears to Kanaloa in Hawaiʻi. The second goes over Kanaloa’s portrayal in selected primary Hawaiian language resources, namely 19th and 20th century newspapers, which reveal several ways his functions and roles can be expanded. The third chapter discusses Kanaloa’s demonization during the advent of Christianity, and provides context for the legends that portray him as a “Hawaiian devil.” This thesis also includes an introduction detailing methodology and a conclusion that provides an analysis of the claims made.