Ok so Iʻve had this theory in the back of my mind for a long while and I think itʻs about time I shared it. Disagree with me if you want, this is just my idea. All images belong to their respective owners, I own nothing.

Have you ever been confused by why GameFreak decided to create an Ice/Fairy typed variation to Ninetales for this region based on Hawaiʻi? Why is it ice typed when Hawaiʻi seemingly has nothing to do with snow? And what the heck does that fairy type mean? Well Iʻm here to answer those questions.

So this is Poliʻahu, the Hawaiian snow deity (or akua) who is thought to live atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. She is said to blanket the sacred summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa with her kapa cloak of snow in the Winter time. Mauna Kea, the mountain mostly associated with Poliʻahu is a very sacred place, despite the numerous telescopes atop the summit. She is sometimes seen as a protector of the mountain. And somewhat similarly, many native Hawaiians have been trying to peacefully protect the mountain from further development in recent years. See? Hawaiʻi does occasionally get snow!

what does this have to do with Alolan Ninetales? Well itʻs characteristics match very well with Poliʻahu:

- Alolan Ninetales has the ability Snow Cloak (well thatʻs a little obvious).

- Mount Lanakila, which is based on Mauna Loa in the games, is where Alolan Ninetales are said to reside like how Poliʻahu lives atop Mauna Kea (actually, Mount Hokulani is based on Mauna Kea but that doesnʻt have snow in the games because I guess GameFreak wanted to show off mostly the telescopes).

- itʻs protective nature for its territory, much like Poliʻahu as a protector

- Even its fairy-type is a clue that nods to Poliʻahu being a part of Hawaiian Mythology (since Fairy-type Pokemon are typically based on folklore and “fairytales”)

Iʻve heard some ideas that Alolan Ninetales are fairy type because of it being a kitsune (what itʻs Kanto variant is based on) and that they’re mystical creatures like fairies. Although that does seem possible, I feel like my theory fits better. Again, this is just my interpretation of what itʻs origin is based on and I feel like thereʻs strong pieces of evidence to support this theory.

Mahalo nui loa no ka hoʻolohe ʻana mai iaʻu!