Aumakua (Guardian Ancestors) in the Context of Contemporary Hawaiian Religious Beliefs

Abstract

This paper concerns traditional as well as modern beliefs about Hawaiian 'aumakua, personal or family gods that originated as deified ancestors. They may take on physical forms such as spirit vehicles. An 'aumakua (plural, 'aumakua) may be manifested in a shark, owl, bird, octopus, selected plants, or even rocks.