The Legend of Naupaka
Those who are familiar with the
sturdy Hawaiian plant called "naupaka" (see
logo charm) can tell you that there are actually two kinds:
one grows near the sea and the other in the mountains. Each
bears what appears to be half of a blossom and only when placed
together do they form a perfect circular flower.
There are several ancient Hawaiian
tales about these curious blossoms. One story tells of two
lovers who become forever separated by the jealous wrath of the
volcano goddess, Pele.
Pele desired the young man and
appeared before him as a beautiful stranger. However, the
lovers remained inseparable. Enraged at being refused, Pele
pursued the man into the mountains, hurling fiery lava after him.
Seeing this, Pele's gentler sisters took pity on the man.
To save him from death, they transformed him into the mountain naupaka.
But Pele then turned on the young woman, chasing her to the sea.
Again, the sister goddesses intervened, changing the maiden into
the beach naupaka.
And so, the two lovers exist today,
each blooming as a half flower never to be united again.
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