Pele Finds A Home - Traditional


There is a pit in the east
Made red hot by Pele’s fire
How did the goddess find a home
On the slopes of Mauna Loa
On Hawai`i nei
Island where Wakea sleeps


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reached the island of Ni`ihau before dawn
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Halali`i
I Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Ni`ihau, a home for Pele?
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole
The sands of Halâli`i
Will cover your fire
Ni`ihau is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reach Kaua`i just at dawn
The sound of digging in the cliffs
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Ke`e
I, Pele, came the answer
A fire pit on Kauai, a home for Pele?
I am digging a pit to find fire
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole
The waters of Kawaikini
Will drown your fire
Kauai is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reached Oahu as the sun rested on the horizon
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Alia-pa`akai?
I, Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Oahu, a home for Pele?
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole
The salty water of Alia pa`akai
Will drown your fire
Oahu is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reach Moloka`i at mid-morning
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Mauna Loa?
I Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Molokai, a home for Pele?
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole at Mauna Loa
The fearless people of Kalae
Will fill your pit with stones
Molokai is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reached Lanai at high noon
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Palawai?
I Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Lanai, a home for Pele?
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole
The green palawai will grow
And smother your fire with pond scum
Lanai is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reached Kaho`olawe at mid-afternoon
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Moaula?
I Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Kahoolawe, a home for Pele?
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole
Heavy gusts of the south wind
Will blow out your fire
Kahoolawe is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reached Maui in the late afternoon
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Haleakala?
I Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Maui, a home for Pele?
Not so, said Wakea
Each time you dig a hole
In this place that is too large
The cold winds will chill you
Maui is no place for you,
Move on!


Pele’s canoe with red sails
Reached Hawai`i as the sun floated upon the sea
The sound of digging on the plain
Woke Wakea from his sleep
Wakea asked:
Who is digging there at Kilauea?
I Pele, came the answer
I am digging a pit to find fire
A fire pit on Hawai`i, a home for Pele?
Oh yes, said Wakea
Dig yourself a firepit at Kilauea
Dig a deep pit so the fire
Will warm you there in your home
Stop digging
I want to sleep


There is a pit in the east
Made red hot by Pele’s fire
The goddess has found a home
On the slopes of Mauna Loa
On Hawai`i nei island
Where Wakea sleeps
Warmed by Pele’s fire


Source: Verse #1 - Wakea is the ancestor of Hawaiians, Verse #2 - Halali`i was famed for the sugar cane growing in the sand with leaves protruding, Verse #3 - Kawaikini (mulititude of water) is highest peak on Waialeale, one of wettest spots on earth, due to heavy rainfall, Verse #4 Alia Pa`akai (Salt Lake), the viscid matter from Pele’s eyes formed the salt. Tunnel in the center connected the lake to the sea, Verse #5 - Natives of Kalae had reputation for not respecting kapu of others, Verse #6 - Palawai is dark green slippery fresh-water algae