HEMA

[Polynesian] The father of Tawhaki and Karihi. He was killed by the Ponaturi, semi-spirits which lived under the sea by day but who came ashore at night, to spend the night in Hema's house. They had hung his skeleton under the eaves of his own house. The Ponaturi had saved Hema's wife Urutonga, but she had to stay outside during the night. She and her sons revenged his death by killing all but two of the Ponaturi. Hema was the son of the goddess Waitiri and Kai Tangata. In Hawaiian myth, Hema was the son of Mahina, the moon-goddess.