Mo'o (MO-oh)
The Lizard God-

Unlike the other gods in our story, the Mo'o is not a single character; there were many Mo'o who were often worshiped as aumakua (ow-ma-koo-ah), family gods who were more approachable than the great gods and could warn, advise and assist a clan in time of trouble. The typical Mo'o guards a waterfall and pond and is anything but the cute little gekko-lizard often portrayed today. Rather, Mo'o were gigantic creatures who lived mainly in the spirit world, rarely seen by human eyes. Mo'o often took on alluring earthly forms to entice humans, as does the waterfall goddess in this production.

Pele (PAY-lay)
The Goddess of the Volcanoes-

Even Islanders who know nothing of Hawaiian mythology know of Pele. She is the goddess with the eyes of fire and the hair of molten lava who causes volcanoes to erupt, a powerful and dangerous enemy who jealously guards her preserves. Woe to the one who picks berries on her land without offering her some first. But Pele is also a wise crone who can befriend and assist humans who treat her properly. Islanders often see her in the guise of an old woman seeking a ride on a lonely stretch of road.

Lauhuki (low-HOO-kee)
Goddess of Kapa Beaters-

Hawaiians were the most skillful kapa-makers in Polynesia, capable of turning a strip of tough bark into a gossamer-thin sheet of fabric. The process of stripping the bark of the paper mulberry tree, soaking it in sea water to soften it and beating it with wooden mallets was the exclusive preserve of women, as we see in 'Ulalena. Every kapa maker prayed and made offerings daily at kuahu (koo-ah-hu, occupational shrine) to Lauhuki, usually an upright stone set near the kapa-beating area. Any who failed to do so were likely to see their kapa rot and tear. Another goddess, La'ahana, oversaw the process of printing the kapa with dye.

Maui (MOW-ee)
The Trickster God-

Maui is the most famous of Polynesia's demi-gods and his stories are told throughout the Pacific. In each one, he is the invincible hero who beats natural forces and spiritual enemies, always to the betterment of his people. Briefly portrayed in 'Ulalena, is Hawaii's favorite among these stories in which Maui, in the guise of a fisherman, pushes up the heavens and snares the sun in a fishnet to give the people more daylight in which to plant crops and gather food, and captures fire so they can cook their meals.

Hina (HEE-na)
Goddess in the Moon-

Though Pele is better known today, Hina was arguably Hawaii's most important goddess, central to Hawaiian cosmology. Hina (sometimes called Haumea) is the female form of the god Ku; she the "leaning down" goddess of the afternoon, he the "rising up" god of morning. Hina took many forms both on land and below the sea. The moon story, which has many versions, has Hina exhausted from earthly work, leaping into the heavens pursued by her husband and eventually settling in the moon, where she can be seen today.