According to legend, Pele once encountered a striking warrior named ʻŌhiʻa and asked for his hand in marriage. However, ʻŌhiʻa had already given his heart to a woman named Lehua and refused Pele’s proposal. Enraged by his rejection, Pele transformed ʻŌhiʻa into a gnarled tree. Lehua was devastated by the loss. Moved by her sorrow, the gods intervened. To right the wrong and reunite the lovers, they changed Lehua into a blossom on the ʻŌhiʻa tree, allowing them to remain together for all time.