Aumakua

In Hawaiian mythology, Aumākua refers to a family or personal god, often a deified ancestor. The aumākua frequently manifested as an animal, such as a shark or an owl. Aumākua were worshipped, often at localities or rocks where they were believed to 'dwell'. The appearance of an animal one regarded as an aumākua was often believed to be an omen, to be noted and interpreted for good or ill. There are also many stories of aumākuas, in animal form, intervening to save their descendants from harm. It was extremely bad luck to harm an aumākua animal.
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[Polynesian] Means "Ghost of your ancestors". Huna, the religion of early Hawaii, taught that each person had two souls. When one died the earthly soul (unihi-pili) remained earth-bound and descended to the the underworld. The aumakua (higher soul) ascended to the heavens to rejoin the deceased ancestors. This Hawaiian god guides the souls of the deceased on their journey to the afterworld.