THE LEGEND OF OHI'A AND LEHUA

Ho'okahi no mea aloha...'o ke aloha.

Once there was a handsome Hawaiian chief named Ohi'a who was in love with a beautiful maiden named Lehua. One day, Pele, the volcano goddess, saw Ohi'a and wanted him for herself. Approaching him, Pele said, "I am the goddess Pele and I want you for my husband." "I cannot marry you," Ohi'a said, "for I have already given my heart to Lehua." Pele was furious. "How dare you defy me!" she cried. "If I can't have you then no one will!" She then cast a spell and turned Ohi'a into a twisted tree. When Lehua saw what Pele had done, she begged her to change him back, but Pele ignored her and left in a fury. At the base of the tree, Lehua sobbed, "How can I live without Ohi'a, I would give my life to change him back." When the other gods heard Lehua, they took pity on her but Pele?s magic was too powerful to change him back. The gods then cast a spell that changed Lehua into a beautiful red flower on the Ohi'a tree. Ohi'a and Lehua would be joined together forever and Pele could never separate them again. That is why it is believed, that whenever anyone picks a Lehua blossom, it will rain because the lovers have been separated.

Limited edition signed by the artist Nelson Makua of Hilo, HI and custom framed by Tom Itomo, Artrageous Fine Framing. Measures 14" x 37.5".