Kane (The God of Life)
Creation

He wai e ola! Translation: The water of life!

Kane (pronounced kah-neh) is believed to have come through the gateway of the rising sun at Ha'eha'e, the easternmost point in the Hawaiian islands. It is in honor of Kane that the front doors of many Hawaiian homes face east. He is the most revered of the 4 major gods: Kane, Ku, Kanaloa, and Lono. Unlike the others, Kane is not represented by a carved image, but is symbolized by an upright stone as the god of procreation.

One Hawaiian creation story says that Kane created man out of white clay, red earth, and saliva. The word kane means "man", wahine means "woman". In ancient Hawaiian cosmology, every male form has a female counterpart. Stories say that the first man and woman lived in a beautiful lush garden in the land of Kahikihonuakele (the land that moved off). Some of these stories say that woman was created from Kane's side; others say from his shadow.

All Kane stories describe his waters as the source of creation and renewal. Tales are also told of Kane traveling through the islands, often accompanied by Kanaloa, God of the Ocean, thrusting his digging stick into rocks, releasing gushes of fresh water wherever he goes.

The Hawaiian creation chant Kumulipo says, "'O Kane ia Wai'ololi, 'o ka wahine ia Wai'olola," meaning "man for the narrow stream, woman for the broad stream". The Maori of New Zealand have a story that says, "When the moon dies, she goes to the living water of Tane (Kane), to the water which can restore all to life, even the moon, to the path of the sky."

"Ua kapu ke ola na Kane" means "life is sacred to Kane". The waters of Kane bring refreshment and rejuvenation. Kane brings to our lives the dawn of a new day, the light of understanding, and the ability to begin again.

Dig under the surface to discover the source of what it is you are about to begin, for Kane is the "inner source that guides us to the well springs within our own psyches". When deciding if, what, or how to begin afresh, it is important to discover how the new situation, activity, or relationship taps into the nourishing springs of your soul.

Kane's digging stick releases waters which flow without force. Kane's waters restore energy and harmony.

When you are about to begin something new, ask yourself the following questions: Does what you are about to begin lead you to be refreshed and rejuvenated? Will it enable you to experience a renewed sense of well-being?

As all aspects of life are sacred to Kane, whatever you begin should allow you to float effortlessly with the flow of Kane's creation.