Editing Laka (section)

== Hawaii ==
[[File:Old Lahaina Luau 2009-07.jpg|thumb|[[Hula dance]]rs in a [[Luau]] in [[Lāhainā]], in traditional [[palm lily|''kī'' leaf]] skirts]]
Four deities of this name can be differentiated:<ref>[[Martha Beckwith]]: ''Hawaiian Mythology''. Yale U Pr, 1940. p. 569</ref>
*(1) Ku-ka-ohia-LAKA, male patron of the hula-dance<ref>Martha Beckwith : ''Hawaiian Mythology''. Yale U Pr, 1940. p. 40</ref> Ku-ka-ohia is the god of Hula dancing and canoe building. He is married to Hina-lula-ohia. In temple, he is shown as a feather god and worshiped with the other Ku gods.  He is associated with ohia lehua tree, and the flowers are used for decorations on altars during performances. 
*(2) Papa-o-LAKA, the '[[aumakua]] world of [[Kumu-Honua]]<ref>Martha Beckwith : ''Hawaiian Mythology''. Yale U Pr, 1940. pp. 161-162</ref>
*(3) LAKA, goddess of forest growth. Laka is the goddess of Hula. Laka is said to be the inspiration a person thinks of while they dance. She is what causes the movement while the dancer is moved. She is also the goddess of the forest. She has reproductive energy which is said to help the forest grow and thrive. Laka is associated with the Lama tree, the Maile Vine, and the a’ali’i plant. They are her kinolau, which means they are the form she can be found in. These are very cherished and treated with high levels of respect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kumukahi.org/units/ke_ao_akua/akua/laka |title=Laka |publisher=Kamehameha Publishing |access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref> 
*(4) LAKA, son of Wahie-loa