The Hawaiian mythology deity Haumea is closely associated with pregnancy and childbirth. She gave birth to several gods with significant roles in Hawaiian culture, including Pele, Kamohoali’i, Namaka, Kapo, and Hiiaka. Haumea’s veneration is among the earliest forms of religion on the Hawaiian islands, and she is widely considered a principal deity. Haumea can keep having children thanks to a magic stick named the Makalei, which allows her to age backwards and forwards at will. Every so often, she travels back to her birthplace and marries one of her descendants, ensuring the continuation of humankind. One day, she learns who she is, and the revelation infuriates her to the point where she abandons humanity.
The capacity to give birth normally is credited to Haumea. She went to see Muleiula, the chief’s daughter, who was in the throes of difficult labour, and learned that human births could only be achieved through the incision. After noticing this, Haumea brewed a concoction from the Kani-ka-wi tree that induced labour in the mother. Haumea is the goddess Kanaloa’s sibling and, in some versions of Hawaiian mythology, the goddess’s wife. In some stories, Haumea is the goddess of the earth and the consort of the sky god Wakea. From his union with Kanaloa, Haumea had the war deity Kekaua-kahi, the goddess of the volcano Pele, and Pele’s siblings, among them Hi’iaka. ย Her offspring were born from all over her body, except Pele. For instance, Laumiha, Kaha’ula, Kahakauakoko, and Kauakahi originated in her brain.
Haumea, believed to have originated the Hawaiian fauna, drew strength from the native flora and walked the islands in human shape. She could withdraw her energy if angry, causing the individuals she frequently resided among to starve. Haumea was said to be ageless but eternally rejuvenating. She could change her appearance at will using a magical stick named Makalei to pass as either an elderly lady or a beautiful young girl. As a result of her efforts, natural delivery was prioritized over caesarean sections in ancient childbirth practices. During their childbearing years, she is called upon to assist. Haumea’s offspring include the deity of volcanoes, Pele. In some accounts, Haumea is part of a trinity of Hawaiian goddesses, including Hina, the goddess of creation, and Pele, the deity of destruction.
Some myths assert that the trickster deity Kaulu murdered Haumea. Throughout the Aloha Festival, a week-long celebration of Hawaii’s history, culture, food, and crafts, Haumea continues to be honoured for her position as Mother of Hawaii and her connection to rebirth, tradition, and the endless cycle of life and energy. According to legend, Haumea could turn back the hands of time with her enchanted stick, Makalei, transforming herself from an older woman into a stunning young woman. Thanks to this ability, the goddess made repeated visits to the country to ensure the survival of humanity. Her secret was eventually exposed, and she stopped occupying the same space as her human creatures. Birthing mothers and caregivers often prayed to Haumea, the goddess of motherhood. Muleiula, this same daughter of a renowned Hawaiian king, was supposedly in labour in an old myth. It was found by the goddess that humans performed births by inducing labour and then cutting the mother open, much like a cesarean section. She then administered a flower-based potion to Muleiula, which assisted in delivering a healthy, full-term infant.
