My grandma once told my mother that in Hawai’i, many Hawaiians would help those in need (especially old women). This was because of Pélé.

Pélé is the goddess of fire, volcanoes, wind, and lighting. She lives in the crater of Halema’uma’u, at the summit of Kīlauea. Pélé would often walk down from the Halema’uma’u crater, disguised as a fatigue old woman.

Here she would test the generosity and patience of Hawaiians by approaching on going cars. When a car stop she would ask for a ride, if accepted, she would climb in and vanish before the car stops at her destination.

Pélé is the cause for volcanic eruptions and those who showed her a small act of kindness, house would be spared by the wrath of the eruption, while those unfortunate would experience her wrath.

There’s an old Hawaiian saying that says the you should never be mean to an old woman, she might be Pélé in disguise. 

Tags: #personal Tags: #Hawai'i Tags: #urban legend