Pronounced: Kah-nay

Also known as: Tane (pronounced Tah-nay)


Origin: Polynesia

Classification: Akua

Kane is among the most foremost deities of Polynesia. In parts of this far-flung region, he is considered the supreme Creator, sometimes in conjunction with Kanaloa. Kane was lonely and longed for female companionship but there was one problem: women hadn’t yet been invented. Finally, Kane literally took matters into his own hands, forming a woman from moist red beach sand. He breathed life into her and named her Hine-hau-one, “Earth Formed Maiden.” They made love and became the ancestors of humanity.


Kane is considered the Lord of the Akua. He is a spirit of procreation. As Kana loa is the spirit of the sea, so Kane is spirit of land and in particular lord of the forests and its creatures. Birds serve as his messengers.

Manifestation: Kane can manifest any way he wishes; however, typical forms include a handsome man, lightning, hailstones, and rainbows.

Direction: East (Kane rests in the west and moves towards the east)


Birds: Crows; owls

See also: Akua; Hina; Kahoupokane; Kanaloa; Lilinoe; Poliahu; Waiau