Kids Comics Pitchfest Showcase

He Ola Hou: Pele Finds a New Life in Hawai'i

Pele and her sister, Nāmaka, have a tenuous relationship. The mighty goddesses clash as furiously as their powers of fire and water. When this rivalry explodes over the attention of a sorcerer, Pele’s wild fury leaves the forest destroyed and the sorcerer dead. Her father has no choice but to banish her.
Upon hearing the decree, Nāmaka is furious. Banishment only delays the inevitable. Pele’s rage will bring ruin. She must be destroyed now!

Forced to flee, Pele finds the Hawaiian islands but can not evade Nāmaka. Each time she finds suitable land, Nāmaka’s waves douse her flames until, on Maui, Pele finally makes a stand. To find refuge, Pele must learn restraint and how to regulate her explosive behavior.

My Why:

Knowledge of Hawaii's religion and mythology is essential to understanding its culture. They are preserved in mele(song), oli (chant), and hula (dance). This retelling of a beloved Hawaiian myth is yet another form of sustaining the legend in hopes of reaching a new generation. To be connected to the Hawaiian Islands means we are tethered to the creatures and spirits that inhabit them as well as the forces of nature that shape them. We as a people must remember that it is our kuleana (responsibility) to mālama (care for) our environment and each other. As a mother of two, my desire is to share with my children the stories and culture in which I was raised.