Hawaiian mythology Hawaiian religion refers to the indigenous religious beliefs and practices of native Hawaiians, also known as the kapu system. Hawaiian religion is based largely on the tapu religion common in Polynesia and likely originated among the Tahitian ...

, Kaupe is a

malevolent spirit In mythology and folklore, a vengeful ghost or vengeful spirit is said to be the spirit of a dead person who returns from the afterlife to seek revenge for a cruel, unnatural or unjust death. In certain cultures where funeral and burial or crem ...

that calls out to people at night to lure them to their deaths. According to legend, he used to rule Nu'uanu Valley.

Mythology

During his reign, Kaupe ate people on

Oahu Oahu () (Hawaiian language, Hawaiian: ''Oʻahu'' ()), also known as "The Gathering place#Island of Oʻahu as The Gathering Place, Gathering Place", is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is home to roughly one million people—over t ...

, then Maui. When he went to the island of

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

, he kidnapped the son of a High chief and took him back to Oahu so he could be sacrificed. Following them to Oahu, the High chief went to a

Kahuna ''Kahuna'' is a Hawaiian language, Hawaiian word that refers to an expert in any field. Historically, it has been used to refer to doctors, surgeons and dentists, as well as priests, ministers, and sorcerers. Background A ''kahuna'' may be ver ...

who taught him incantations and a prayer which he could use against Kaupe. At the

heiau A ''heiau'' () is a Hawaiian temple. Made in different architectural styles depending upon their purpose and location, they range from simple earth terraces, to elaborately constructed stone platforms. There are heiau to treat the sick (''heia ...

Lihue Lihue or Līhue is an unincorporated community, census-designated place (CDP) and the county seat of Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. Lihue (pronounced ) is the second largest town on the Hawaiian island of Kauai after Kapaa. As of the 2010 ...

, the father rescued his son. When Kaupe chased them, the father said the prayer, causing him and his son to run faster. As Kaupe caught up, the father said the prayer again and he and his son found a big rock to hide behind. On Hawaii, the father and son killed Kaupe. The spirit of Kaupe lingers on Oahu. According to mythology, Kaupe appears as an enormous man with a canine head and sharp claws. Kaupe has frequented two spots on the island of Oahu. Though he is said to originally been from Nuuanu Valley, he is more often encountered under Kipapa Bridge. Kaupe is often considered a "calling ghost" because he calls to his victims rather than searching them out or coming across them by coincidence. His technique is to mimic the sound of numerous wounded or dying people. When his victim runs to the scene to help, Kaupe reveals himself to the victim, silently slipping from the shadows.

Popular culture

In ''

Legends of Tomorrow ''DC's Legends of Tomorrow'', or simply ''Legends of Tomorrow'', is an American Time travel in fiction, time travel superhero fiction, superhero television series developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, and Phil Klem ...

'', the Kaupe is a hairy beast. One named Konane (portrayed by Darien Martin) is one of the magical fugitives that escaped from Mallus' realm where anyone who gets slashed by a Kaupe will become a Kaupe. He develops a relationship with a Time Bureau delivery girl named

Mona Wu ''Legends of Tomorrow'' is an American television series, developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Phil Klemmer, and Andrew Kreisberg, based on several characters from DC Comics. The series premiered in the United States on January 21, 2016, ...

(portrayed by

Ramona Young Ramona Abish Young (born in Los Angeles, California) is a Chinese American actress. She is known for her recurring roles on the television series ''Man Seeking Woman'', ''The Real O'Neals'', and ''Santa Clarita Diet''. Young is also known for he ...

). During a struggle with the Time Bureau operatives, Mona is slashed in the stomach. When Konane is killed by a Time Bureau operative, Mona transforms into her Kaupe form (portrayed by Sisa Grey) for the first time and avenges Konane's death. The Legends of Tomorrow took her onto their team.

References

{{reflist
''Hawaiian Mythology'', Martha Warren Beckwith, Katharine Luomala, pg 345
* ''Myths and Legends of Hawaii'' by William D. Westervelt. Copyright 1987 by Mutual Publishing. * ''Hawaiian Legends: Kaupe The Cannibal Dog Man'
Hawaiian Dog Man
Hawaiian legendary creatures