The ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Legend is that, by the fire of Pele the Kīlauea Volcano Goddess, ʻŌhiʻa, a young warrior, was transformed into the burnt appearing ʻŌhiʻa tree for his love and devotion to Lehua. ʻŌhiʻa held Lehua up above himself to protect her from the lava, and as he turned into a tree, Lehua turned into the burning red blossom that resembled the lava that consumed them.