Maui Stories, The

A collection of three Hawaiian legends written in English and Hawaiian: Maui Hooks the Islands, Maui Slows the Sun, and Hina for kindergarten through second grade. These stories, written by elementary school librarian, Gabby Ahulii, introduce young kids to the demigod Maui and his mother, Hina.

Maui Hooks the Islands introduces kids to Maui the demigod who fished up the Hawaiian islands using a magic fishing hook.

Maui Slows the Sun tells the story of how Maui was able to extend the length of daylight in the islands.

The sun has been racing across the sky, preventing people from finishing their daily chores. Maui decides to confront the sun and races up Haleakala to greet him as he rises.

Using his olona rope, Maui lassoes one of the sun’s rays, holds him tight, and convinces him to slow his travels across the sky so Maui’s mother may have time to dry her kapa and people can enjoy the daylight longer.

The sun compromises and says he will slow his pace for half the year (summer) yet speed up the other half (winter).

Hina introduces kids to Maui’s mother, the goddess of the moon.

In simple, poetic language, these origin stories give small kids a taste of Hawaii’s rich history of storytelling.