Kū is one of the major gods of the traditional Hawaiian pantheon, revered as the god of war, strength, and energy. As the consort of the goddess Hina, their names reflect a powerful dualism: Kū means “to stand,” while Hina can mean “to fall,” symbolizing balance and the cyclical nature of life.
Among his many forms, Kū was worshiped as Kū-ka-ili-moku, “The Seizer of Land”, a fierce feather-covered war god and the personal guardian of King Kamehameha I. Unlike the rituals of other Hawaiian gods, those honoring Kū sometimes involved human sacrifice, reflecting his formidable role in warfare and conquest.
Kū, along with Kāne and Lono, is one of the uncreated gods, eternal beings who caused light to enter the world. Together, they represent the foundations of life, divine order, and cosmic power in Hawaiian spirituality.
Please check out our ABOUT TIKI GODS page to learn more.
