Case file · Folklore / legend
Keōua's warriors and Pele, Kīlauea
In 1790 an explosive eruption of Kīlauea killed part of the army of the chief Keōua Kūʻahuʻula as it crossed the summit; Hawaiians took it as a sign that the volcano goddess Pele favoured his rival Kamehameha.
1790 CE · 19.40, -155.28 · status: official
The account
Footprints preserved in ash in the Kaʻū Desert have long been linked to the event. The deaths weakened Keōua and helped Kamehameha unify Hawaiʻi Island.