Hawaii Park Ranger, Volcano God Descendant

In the Hawaiian religion, Pele is the goddess of volcanoes, fire, and lightning. She is believed to have created the Hawaiian islands, and is considered to be a sacred, primordial force.
Like many native Hawaiians of his generation, Keoni Kaholoʻaʻā, a park ranger at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, wasn’t exposed to much information about his indigenous roots. “I never grew up learning the culture,” Kaholoʻaʻā says in Bradley Tangonan’s short documentary Kaholoʻaʻā. “It left a massive void in me.”
Recently, he discovered the true meaning of his family name-“flow of jagged rock”-which, according to tradition, makes Kaholoʻaʻā a direct descendent of Pele. This understanding has renewed Kaholoʻaʻā’s sense of purpose. When the volcano Kilauea erupted in 2018, Kaholoʻaʻā joined other native Hawaiians in welcoming and expressing reverence for the deity, rather than fearing the damage the lava flow might cause.
“In the Hawaiian belief system, kanaka 'oiwi, or Hawaiian people, are descendants of the deities that constitute the natural world,” Tangonan told me. “Humans are a small component of this system of natural entities and processes, whose complex operation relies on a delicate balance. The reverence that Keoni bears toward Pele reflects the humility that Hawaiians believe we owe to nature as a whole.”
Spectacular time lapse footage of Kilauea eruption: bit.ly/KilaueaE...
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[@annievance8073]

This is so incredibly beautiful. This just goes to show the power of the NPS in preserving the heritage and culture of indigenous peoples. The National Parks are truly America's best idea.

[@DarkKaij]

I would make a change in the title to "Godess", since Pele is defined by the her worshipers as Female.

[@AlexisSmithFilms]

Amazing video as always. I love these stories.

[@lovely-mk4rt]

Aloha from Hawai’i. Very grateful for this film. And the many that have come before this one. Perfect timing for a re- birth, mahalo 🌺

[@thinkabout288]

may the SPIRITS be with you and with the planet EARTH and ALL its inhabitants 🌋 🌎🌏🌍 🎆 🎇 🔆

[@SoFia-ev2rb]

That was so beautiful, thank you for making these video and helping me learn about Hawai'ian culture. It is amazing to see how in touch he is with his culture, i wish i was more like this.

[@jahz7087]

Arghh this made me cry

[@gilbertescalante4284]

Acts 17:29 "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"

[@rtoniniakahp]

Sounds like my grandfather:)

[@TigerlilyQueen]

This is a beautiful explanation of his connection to Pele

[@uluhottie]

All the feals! Mahalo for sharing, means so much to me.

[@ThomasJamesBeauchene]

Great documentary! Aloha! Hawaii Pacific University rocks!

[@kevm.1306]

Oh noes I think I saw a snowflake in the heat of the comments

[@olgaz2498]

what is that at 3:05

[@TheHippie60]

Uluhe Fern

[@emilecrowther8594]

Wow. So Beautiful.

[@lmo7724]

Aloha Keoni!

[@stoneyll]

"God" can be defined in many ways..
There are a variety of gods available to those that seek divine intervention..
Personally, I believe in nature and science for an explanation of what I do not fully understand.