Read on Twitter
Some moʻolelo kūpuna on Poliʻahu, a thread https://twitter.com/adamkeawe/status/1335389796743536642
Poliʻahu is a transitive verb meaning "to caress," but is more often used in reference to one of the sisters from the Pele pantheon. She is often depicted as a snow clad goddess, dwelling in the heights of Mauna Kea. http://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.85/cgi-bin/hdict?a=q&r=1&hs=1&m=-1&o=-1&qto=4&e=d-11000-00---off-0hdict--00-1----0-10-0---0---0direct-10-ED--4--textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka-----0-1l--11-haw-Zz-1---Zz-1-home-%25ca%25bbahu--00-4-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-00-0utfZz-8-00&q=poli%CA%BBahu&fqv=textpukuielbert%252ctextmamaka&af=1&fqf=ED
One tradition tells of a Hawaiian sled race between Poliʻahu & a stranger, who reveals herself to be Pele after opening lava flows in order to secure the fiery goddess' victory. The race concludes with clear territorial lines drawn. The north for Poliʻahu and the south for Pele.
In Keaomelemele, Poliʻahu enchants Kūkuluokahiki (husband of Paliuli) and steals him from his wife. To summarize, Poliʻahu elopes with Kūkuluokahiki at Mauna Kea for a time, until Paliuli becomes more powerful and he desires her once again.
In Lāʻieikawai, Poliʻahu gets involved with ʻAiwohi, who, unbeknownst to her, was already engaged to another: Hina. Long story short, Poliʻahu discovers this and freezes Hina. Some versions say she also kills ʻAiwohi (in snow or fire). https://www.huapala.org/Po/Poliahu.html
In a mele I heard from Lanakila Mangauil, "ʻO Poliʻahu ka wahine kapu," he sang of her family. Lilinoe (mist), Waiau (flowing water), Kāne, and Moʻoinanea are all mentioned. It also mentions the Kīpuʻupuʻu rains and her white cloak.
My time at Puʻuhuluhulu allowed me to experience the presence of this cold goddess. One morning I woke to find that the interior of my tent was just above 30°F. And more than once I found myself singing her song, just for the Kīpuʻupuʻu to come pouring down on us after.
