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InHawaiian mythology, theKupua are a group of supernatural entities which might be considered gods or spirits (see alsoAtua).
Hawaiianmyths andlegends abound with such characters. They are traditionally described asmonsters having the power of appearing in different kinds of bodies. They usually have cruel and vindictive characters and are ready to destroy and devour any persons they can catch. There are, however, many kupuas of kindly spirit who give watchful care to the members of their own families.
Many Hawaiian kupua are considered as gods having a double body, sometimes appearing as a man and sometimes being able to change shape, into an animal, vegetable, or mineral form. The latter form always possesses supernatural powers.William Westervelt mentions the following classification for kupua:
Mamala the surf-rider was a chieftess of kupua character. She might appear as a shark, a lizard, or a woman. Her surfing skills were so impressive that people would gather on the beach to applaud her performance. She was married to the shark-man Ouha, but later left him for a chief named Hono-kau-pu.[1]
In an oldHonolulu legend, a kupua, who is a dog-man, overthrows the government of Kahanai and becomes the ruling power betweenNuuanu Valley and the sea. He is acannibal, and many of the people are killed and eaten by him. He can appear at will either as a man or a dog.
InMaui, the king once had a kupua, arooster, which was very cruel and destructive. He could assume a different bird form for each magic power he possessed. This, with his miraculous human powers, made him superior to all the roosters which had ever been his antagonists incock-fighting.
InKauai, Akua-pehu-ale (god-of-the-swollen-billow) was a kupua who devoured his enemies and was greatly feared and hated even by his own tribe.
In the legend of thebread-fruit tree,Papa, one of the ancestors of the people living in all the islands now known asPolynesia, is described as a kupua. Her daughter Kap-ula-kinau also has kupua, or magic power.
Other Hawaiian kupua mentioned in the mythology include the famous trickstersMāui andKamapua'a,Iwa,Ono, andPekoi, amongst others.