Myths and Legends of Hawaii is a one-volumn selection from the four volumes of collected tales of ancient Polynesian lore by Dr. William D. Westervelt, the most prolific and popular of the retellers of Hawaiian folk tales. The selections have been edited for the enjoyment of the modern reader. Many of the tales embody the ethos of the Hawaiian people that is still to be found in the islands today.
Here are the exploits of Maui, the demi-god who fished up the islands from the sea, noosed the sun over the rim of the crater of Haleakala, and brought fire to the people of Hawaii 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 Hiiaka; and the glorious other maidens of the fiery clan. Here are ghosts, ghost-gods, shark deities, and Milu, king of the underworld. Here are 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, here are half a hundred exotic stories from the dark backward of Hawaii.
- Publisher : Mutual Publishing; thirthy-eighth edition; Later Printing (January 1, 1994)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 266 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0935180435
- ISBN-13 : 978-0935180435
- Item Weight : 5.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.44 x 0.81 x 7.02 inches