Question of the Day!

There are several Hawaiian urban legends, but this one may be my favorite. And full disclosure ... I am not Hawaiian, so if someone reading this is, and my telling is inaccurate, please correct me!

In Hawaiian mythology, Lehua and 'Ohi'a were young and madly in love. Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, was also in love with 'Ohi'a, but because he was so in love with Lehua, 'Ohi'a rejected Pele's advances. In a fit of jealousy, Pele (known to have a fiery temperament) transformed 'Ohi'a into a tree. As you can imagine, Lehua was devastated. She begged Pele to change him back into 'Ohi'a, but Pele refused. Feeling sorry for her, other gods (who couldn't cross Pele) decided to turn her into the red Lehua flower, placing her on the 'Ohi'a tree so she and 'Ohi'a would never be apart.

It is said that if a Lehua flower is picked, rain will come, symbolizing the separated lovers' tears.

Another interesting factoid: The 'Ohi'a tree is the first tree to spring up after a recent lava flow.