LAKA WATER
Laka Water is more than just water.
"Laka" has a spiritual meaning to the Hawaiian culture.

"LAKA" THE GODDESS
“Laka’s themes are tradition, heritage, weather, and arts. Her symbols are lei flowers, dance, and the color yellow.
​
Laka is the Hawaiian Goddess of Hula, through which the myths, legends, and histories of the Hawaiian people are kept intact. Today She charges us with the sacred duty of collecting the treasures of our personal legacies and recording them for sharing with future generations.
​
In stories, Laka is the sister of Pele (the volcano Goddess) and a nature Goddess who can be invoked for rain. Artistic renditions show Her wearing yellow garments, bedecked with flowers, and always dancing.
The cherry blossoms of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Hawaii are spiritual, not real, symbolizing the power of tradition among the predominantly Japanese community. On this day people gather together and honor their heritage by participating in martial arts, Japanese dances, weaving, and arts competitions. So, if there’s any art or craft you learned from an elder in your family, take the time to display that craft or work on it today to commemorate Laka’s attributes.
​
If possible, get together with members of your family and begin creating a family journal that will record all the important events in your life. Cover the journal with yellow paper dabbed with fragrant oil to invoke tending care on the sacred documents.”
​
“Laka is most well known as the Goddess of the hula and the forest. Even today, in very traditional hula halaus, an altar or offering is prepared in honor of Laka with a very specific succession of plants.” [1] After the dance, “the altar is dismantled and every leaf is taken to the ocean or a deep stream as a way to honor Laka further.
​
She is also known as the Goddess of the wild woods and overall vegetation. Plants sacred to Her are: maile, Lama, hala pepe,`ie `ie, ki, `ôhia lehua, and palai. The maile flowers are commonly used to make Lei, which are draped over the neck. As a vegetation Goddess, She is associated with the nourishing elements of light and rain. Rain connects Laka to Her husband, Lono, the fertility god who descended to earth on a Rainbow to marry Her.”
​
“In some traditions of Hawaii, the hula was brought to the islands by a brother and sister, both named Laka. Although prayers are addressed to Laka in many hula performances, few, if any, hulas are ever dedicated to her. Because of many stories connecting Laka to impregnation and fruitfulness, Beckwith calls Her ‘the Goddess of love.’ The name laka means “gentle, docile, attracted to, to attract,” and there are old chants asking Laka to attract not only love but wealth. Of very different origin, She was nevertheless incorporated into the Pele religion. Due to Her associations with the forest, She represents the element of plants.”
​
The image below depicts the goddess "LAKA" by Kristine Provenza
​
Sources:
Flidai. The Goddess Tree, “Laka, Polynesian Fertility Goddess“.
King, Serge Kahili. Hawaiian Huna Village, “Hawaiian Goddesses“.
LAKA & HULA
One story tells of the goddess Laka giving birth to the Hula dance at a sacred place on the island of Molokai. Another tells that the goddess Hi'iaka created the dance to appease her sister, volcano goddess Pele.
​
The Hula, is sensuous mimetic Hawaiian dance, performed sitting or standing, with undulating gestures to instruments and chant. Hula is an important tradition of communication.
The Olis, or chants and dance moves are used to tell stories and were first used as ways to communicate with the gods.
The Hula dance was even a sacred ritual in selecting the best warriors. The Hula dance for the Hawaiian people is not just a dance, but a change in mindset in reminding them of what they have signed up for.
Hula 'Auana, meaning to wander, is the more modern version of the Hula that aligns with the Western Culture. Before Western contact in 1778, Hula had been a part of Hawaiian life for hundreds of years. Dancers would move to chants at temple ceremonies honoring gods and chiefs or tell stories explaining topics including weather patterns, the stars, and the movement of earth and lava.
​
Surfing in Hawaii wasn't only a sport but also an important part of the religion. The choice of tree was vital and religious rituals were practiced during the surf board shaping. The ceremonies served as protection and to secure the gods' goodwill - including Laka.