We’re venturing off our normal route to talk mythology. Sure, science and myths don’t always play well together, but there’s a lot you can take away from mythology. In this case, you see a culture that respects sharks and understands that they play a mutually beneficial role.

Right off the bat, the title is a little misleading. In Hawaiian mythology, there are a lot of gods. And among them, there are plenty of sharks. But, to keep things simple we’re taking a look at 7 of the main ones. These are the Hawaiian shark gods, together, they are the Guardians of the Ocean. 

Aumakua

Before getting into the gods themselves, we should do a quick brief on aumakua. The Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), believed that when you die your family could have your corpse transform into a shark. That’s the kind of afterlife I can get behind.

The body would slowly transform, becoming a shark with markings determined by their clothing and markings. Kind of like how the grandma from Moana became instantly awesome after turning into a giant manta ray.

With the transformation complete, the Kahuna would then tell the family how to identify it. This newly transformed shark is the family’s aumakua. It would steer fish towards their nets and would protect them from danger, even battling their enemies.

Several of the Hawaiian shark gods were aumakua.

Kamohoali’i - The Chief Shark God

Kamohoali’i is the chief of Oahu’s shark gods. Among Hawaiian shark spirits, he was like Odin to the Vikings, Zeus to the Greeks, or Superman to the Superfriends. He was the brother of Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes who created the islands.

Much-adored as a fun-loving spirit, Kamohali’i was a mighty god with a bunch of useful powers. Namely, the abilities to transform into any type of fish, and navigational prowess.

Kamohoali’i has the ability to travel anywhere. The discovery of Hawaii is credited to his navigational powers. He is said to have lead Polynesian voyagers to Hawaii.

As well, he was known for helping lost ships return home. When ships are lost at sea, Kamohoali’i appears. He breaks the surface and shakes his tail. Recognizing his appearance, the Kahuna would give him an offering of awa (an intoxicating drink brought over by the  Polynesians). In exchange for this offering, the shark leads them home.

For a seafaring culture, this promise of a safe return earned Kamohoali’i plenty of devotion. His followers would learn to not harm, bother, or eat any sharks. That’s a concept we can get behind. 

Although he can travel anywhere, Kamohoali’i keeps a home base in an underwater cave in Pearl Harbor.

Ka-ahupahau - The Queen of the Sharks

Ka-ahupahau is second only to Kamohoali’i. The queen shark of Oahu is the island’s guardian spirit. Her and her brother, Kahi’uka (Smiting Tail), were born human but transformed into sharks. In some stories, another shark god causes this. But other versions go darker, with her mother believing she miscarried and dumping the fetus to the ocean, where it transforms into a shark.

Although they were upgraded from human to shark, they never lot their compassion for people. A path, we hope the cyborgs of the near future will follow.

Ka-ahupahau and her brother patrolled the entrance and coasts of Pearl Harbor. They would keep out any “bad” or man-eating sharks to protect the island’s inhabitants. People with a fear of sharks would use her name as a blessing for protection.

She had the power to use an alternate body, in the form of a net, to capture any sharks she didn’t want to enter the harbor. Then her brother would use his power, a giant tail, to whack them until they left or died. 

Between herself, her brother, and the sharks that followed her, she protected the islanders from attack. Either keeping bad sharks away or helping people escape.

In exchange for this protection, the people of the island would offer them food and clean barnacles from their bodies.

Ka-ahupahau also lived in an underwater cave in Pearl Harbor, along with her brother and children. When the US Navy tried built a dry-dock over this legendary location. When it was finally complete, over $3 million and years of construction later, the dock collapsed. Under the destruction was found the skeletal (cartilaginous) remains of a 14 ft shark.

It was determined that the cause of the destruction was tremors that would prevent any structure from resting on the bottom. The rumour, however, is that the destruction was really from Kahi’uka and his smiting tail. 

Whichever you believe, the Navy played it safe and built a floating dock. Letting the shark spirits rest peacefully.

Kane’apua - The Trickster Shark God

Every good mythology needs it’s own Loki. Their tricks humble the other gods, making them a little more likeable. They can be good, bad, neutral, or swap around between all three. Either way, it’s satisfying watching the Hulk rag-doll them around.

Like a lot of tricksters, Kane’apua was the youngest child. His two older brothers, Kane and Kanaloa, had the bodies of birds, while he had the body of a shark. Although they all had the ability to change forms. Also, their grandma was a giant turtle. That’s not going to come up here, but hey, there it is.

Kane’apua could do magical feats and tricks to entertain, amaze, and amuse. Although he wasn’t all fun and games. One time he gave a gift which resulted in everyone in Hawaii getting slaughtered.

This brings us pretty comfortably into our next one.

Kane’i’kokala - The Rescuer

Kane’i’kokala, is the saviour of shipwrecks and the mortal enemy of Pepsi. He is a kindly amakua with a reputation for saving the survivors of shipwrecks. When ships go down, he finds the survivors and guides them back to shore. He’s a real bro.

Although he’s a shark, the kokala (Hawaiian Porcupine Fish) are sacred to him. His ancestors, and those who revere him, will not eat kokala or any food that’s been in contact with them. Many will not even cross through the smoke of a fire where they are being cooked.

And frankly, it’s smart to use caution with the porcupine fish. Cute as they are, they have formidable, pufferfish defences. The kokala can puff up as big as a basketball. That’s enough to deter most smaller predators, and even sharks may avoid them, as they can choke to death on the puffed-up fish.

Along with being the sensei of balloon-style defence, the porcupine fish has poisonous spikes that protrude out when inflated. The poison is powerful enough to cause paralysis or even death in humans within 24 hours. There’s no cure for a sting, but artificial respiration can keep you alive until the poison runs its course.

And then, despite all that, tiger sharks still eat them. Because tiger sharks don’t care, tiger sharks just eat.

And just because, here’s a video of a pufferfish deflating (definitely recommend sound):

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q_MJjweRVU&w=560&h=315]

Keali’ikau ‘o Ka’u - Hero of the Great Shark War

There was a persistent belief of ongoing wars between friendly sharks and man-eaters. Keali’ikau ‘o Ka’u held a special place in the hearts of the Ka’u people. Keali-ikau (Kelwas the hero of the great shark war.

Known as a friend of man, Keali’ikau and his 4 shark companions were known to travel the Hawaiian islands. They sought out and killed any sharks that attack people. He was the son of Kua, the ancestor of the Ka’u people.

Kūhaimoana - The Giant Shark God

Of all the Hawaiian shark gods, few could match the powers of Kūhaimoana. And none could match his size. Kūhaimoana is 55 meters long, over 10 times the size of the average megalodon. Suffice to say, it’s a good thing this guy was on the side of the humans during the great shark war.

Kepanilā and Mikalolou - The Evil Shark Gods

It takes two sides to fight a war, and on the side of the man-eaters were Kepanilā and Mikalolou. Known as the evil sharks, these two hunted together and had powers of their own.

Although they lost the shark war, they were formidable adversaries. They even called out Kūhaimoana. Sure, it was two on one, but two regular-sized sharks taking on a predator the size of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is still pretty ballsy. 

And straight-up, they put up a good fight. Although it wasn’t enough. After an epic battle, the friendly shark gods of Hawaii won the day.