Myths and Legends of Hawaii (mass market)

Myths and Legends of Hawai’i is a one-volume selection from the four volumes of ancient Polynesian lore by the late Dr. William D. Westervelt, the most prolific and popular retellers of Hawaiian folk tales. The selections, edited for the enjoyment of the modern reader, embody the ethos of the Hawaiian people of old that can still be found in the islands today.

Here are the exploits of Maui, the demigod who fished up the islands from the sea, noosed the sun over the rim of Haleakala, and brought fire to the people of Hawaiii Nei. Here is his divine consort Hina, who fought the monster Kunamoo of the Hilo hills. Here is the saga of Pele, the volcano dweller; her faithful and enduring sister Hi’iaka; and the glorious other maidens of the fiery clan. Here are ghosts, ghost-gods, shark deities, and Milu, king of the underworld. Here are the enchanting tales of the menehune, dwarfish night-working builders; notable thieves, and magicians of forest and shore; and a dozen other creatures of fantasy. In all, close to fifty fascinating tales from Hawaii’s mythical past.

1. Maui and Hina
   • Maui the Fisherman
   • Maui Lifting the Sky
   • Maui Snares the Sun
   • Maui Finds Fire
   • Maui and Pea-pea the Eight-eyed
   • Maui Invents Kite Flying
   • Hina and the Wailuku River
   • Ghosts of the Hilo Hills
2. Pele and Her Family
   • Ai-laau, the Forest Eater
   • How Pele Came to Hawaii
   • Pele and Owl Ghost-god
   • Pele and Kama-puaa
   • Pele and the Snow Goddess
   • Pele’s Long Sleep
   • Hopoe, the Dancing Stone
   • Hiiaka’s Battle with Demons
   • How Hiiaka Found Wahine-omao
   • Hiiaka Catching a Ghost
   • Lohiau
3. Ghosts and Ghost-Gods
   • Maluae and the Underworld
   • A Giant’s Rock-Throwing
   • Lau-ka-ieie
   • Kauhuhu, the Shark God of Molokai
   • The Shark Man of Waipio Valley
   • The Strange Banana Skin
   • Hawaiian Ghost Testing
   • How Milu Became the King of Ghosts
   • A Visit to the King of Ghosts
   • Ke-ao-mele-mele, the Maid of the Golden Cloud
   • Puna and the Dragon
4. Myths and Legends of Old Oahu
   • Legendary Places in Honolulu
   • The God of Pakaka Temple
   • Legend of the Breadfruit Tree
   • The Water of Life of Kane
   • Mamala the Surfrider
   • A Shark Punished at Waikiki
   • The Creation of Man
   • The Chief with the Wonderful Servants
   • The Great Dog Ku
   • The Cannibal Dog Man
   • The Canoe of the Dragon
   • The Wonderful Shell
   • The Ghost Dance on Punchbowl
   • The Bird Man of Nuuanu Valley
   • The Owls of Honolulu
   • The Two Fish From Tahiti
   • Iwa, the Notable Thief of Oahu
   • Pikoi, the Rat Killer
5. A Longer Tale
   • The Bride from the Underworld

Author: W. D. Westervelt