3 Goddesses of Hawaiian Coffee

Sitting in the center of the pacific ocean the volcanic archipelago that is a rugged, majestic & lush tropical paradise forms the state of Hawaii.  The Hawaiian islands with her difficult terrain promises beauty and protection. The energy of the land also known as "Aina" allows for food cultivation, while waterfalls provide year round irrigation for the Aina and the seas have been blessed with ample amounts of food for fishermen.

Early settlers would pay tribute to the Hawaiian Gods by building temple sites or "Heiau" a place of worship and prayer where they would also provide offerings. Normally Heiau's  are long rows of stacked rocks and there are many ancient worship sites across the islands.

Still to this day Spiritual energy is alive on the Islands and Hawaiians believe it has power from the source of life the Aina gives off. Whether it is Grain of Sand under your feet, a powerful crashing wave on the coast or the calming winds moving across the surface, they all have power.

 Heiau in Hawaii (Photo Cred: American Travel Journal) 

Before Pan Am clippers brought intrigued tourists to enjoy the spirit of Aloha and before trade ships arrived in the 1700's there is a  different story to tell of heritage and ancient mythology that created the Aina and Inspired the Heiau's.

A story of Gods inspired by the Islanders nature-myths.

This is the story of Namakaokaha'i, Haumea & Pele and how each goddess contributes to the tradition of Hawaiian coffee.

Haumea: "Mother Earth"

Haumea: Goddess of Earth- Haumea the Mother of Pele and Namaka provides beauty, fertility, abundance and She is symbolized by fresh flowers and/or Lei's.

Haumea provides bountiful foods to the Islanders through the land including coffee plants would thrive in the conditions set by Pele with rich volcanic soil guiding the plants nutrition and Namaka providing the right amount of rainfall and waterfalls for irrigation.

Namakaokaha'i: Goddess of Water

Namakaokaha'i: Goddess of Water & Sea- Hula drums rain with acoustics that ring through the rugged cliffs and greeted by the changing surf dancing across the sand and gracefully making her presence know to the Land.
Namakaokaha'i is also know as Namaka and is Pele's older sister. Namaka will send waves crashing into the coast almost quarreling with her sister and showing force.  Namaka provides us with the water the brew coffee and that water may come in different forms. Waterfalls and rivers navigating through the islands from the Snow melt at the top of Mauna Kea a dormant volcano allows Namaka to shown her presence at high elevations 13,796 Ft. above sea level.  The Islanders embrace Namaka being on the ocean for sea voyages in outrigger canoes and feasting off the gifts below the waters surface.

Pele: Goddess of Fire

Pele: Goddess of Fire- The most active and famous Goddess unpredictably erupting blazing the sky red and sending fire to the heavens creating new land mass that continues to stretch the Archipelago into new rugged land. The volcanic soil Pele produces will then give ground and porous drainage for Haumea to produce wild plants such as coffee trees to bear fruit. Volcanic fires are always burning in the mountains showing Pele's direct creativity & Passionate personality. Pele resides at the Halemaumau Crater.


Many years ago I was inspired by a coffee tasting that took place in Hawaii that sourced Namakaokaha'i's fresh snow from the volcano mountain top. The snow was melted in a french press in Pele's boiling hot springs.  Kona coffee provided by Haumea was added to the press for the freshest and most bountiful press the Goddesses would have given energy to provide.

Sources:
Pele - Goddess of Fire (Winter 1999) By Betty Fullard-Leo

Pele, Volcano Goddess of Hawai'i: A History by H. Arlo Nimmo
Hawaiian Mythology by Martha Warren Beckwith 

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