Within this unique volume are 15 legends of Maui. Legends like: MAUI THE FISHERMAN, MAUI LIFTING THE SKY, MAUI SNARING THE SUN and twelve more captivating stories and tales from antiquity from the Polynesian people of the South Pacific. These legends are not only different from the myths of other nations, but they are unique in the character of the actions recorded. There are three centres for these legends, New Zealand in the south, Hawaii in the north, and the Tahitian group in the east. In each of these groups of islands, separated by thousands of miles, there are the same legends, told in almost the same way, and with very little variation in names and content. However, Maui's deeds rank in a higher class than most of the mighty efforts of the demi gods of other nations and races, and are usually of more utility. The Maui legends are full of helpful imaginations, which are distinctly and uniquely Polynesian in nature. Here you will find adventures from the great voyages of discovery which carry fragments and hints of wonderful deeds. The Maoris of New Zealand claim Maui as an ancestor of their most ancient tribes and class him as one of the most ancient of their gods, calling him "creator of land" and "creator of man" even sometimes "the sun himself," "the solar fire," and the "the sun god," while his mother Hina was called "the moon goddess." NOTE: MAUI (Ma-u-i, Ma-oo-e) is a Polynesian demi god. His name derives from “Mohyi” meaning "causing to: live" or "life," applied sometimes to the gods and sometimes to chiefs as "preservers and sustainers" of their followers. The Maui story probably contains a larger number of unique and ancient myths than that of any other legendary character in the mythology of any nation. They also form one of the strongest links in the mythological chain of evidence which binds the scattered inhabitants of the Pacific into one nation. They possess remarkable antiquity. YESTERDAY'S BOOKS FOR TODAY'S CHARITIES 10% of the profit from the sale of our books is donated to charities ---------- TAGS: Maui, Hawaii, Myths, Legends, Folklore, children’s stories, adventure, exploration, Maui's home, Fisherman, Lifting The Sky, Snaring The Sun, Finding Fire, The Skillful, Tuna, Brother-In-Law, Kite Flying, Oahu Legends, Seeking Immortality, Hina, Hilo, Wailuku River, Ghosts, Hilo Hills, Woman In The Moon, New Zealand, Maori, Polynesian, Pacific Ocean, South Pacific, Canoe,

Herein you will find 34 folk and fairy tales from the Hawaiian Islands. Of special note is the section on the MENEHUNES, or fairy folk, of Hawaii. Unsurprisingly the islands are often referred to as the Home of the Brownies. You will also find the tales of AI KANAKA; A LEGEND OF MOLOKAI, MAUI SNARING THE SUN, THE LOCATION OF THE LUA O MILU, KALELEALUAKA, LAKA'S ADVENTURE, KEKUPUA'S CANOE, THE BATTLE OF THE OWLS and many, many more. If you have interest in the native Hawaiian people, and indeed the Polynesian race as a whole, then you will do well to include this book in your library. However, if you are seeking märchen, different to the usual European diet of princes on white stallions dashing in to save a beautiful princess, then this volume is bound to keep you captivated for hours as well. This book was created in response to repeated requests from the public. The compiler, Thomas. G. Thrum, therefore presented in book form the series of legends that have were made a feature of "The Hawaiian Annual", originally published as early as 1875 and through to the 1970’s. The series has been enriched by the addition of several tales, the famous shark legend having been furnished for this purpose from the papers of the Hawaiian Historical Society. In similar vein Abela Publishing has also published “The Legends of Maui” a book containing the 15 legends of Maui’s exploits and adventures, under ISBN: 9781907256950. A second volume of Polynesian folklore is Polynesian Mythology Ancient Traditional History Of The New Zealanders (phew!) has been published under ISBN: 9781907256318 and has a shorter sub-title of Maori Folklore. The book contains 23 Maori myths and legends collected by Sir George Grey and published in 1945. Sir George Grey was twice appointed Governor General of New Zealand firstly from 1845 to 1853, and again from 1861 to 1868. He was later elected Prime Minister. So accurate was Sir George’s translations of Maori folklore that he was able to use the precedents in the folklore of this volume to settle disputes amongst the Maori. 33% of the net profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities. Tags: Hawaiian Folk Tales, Thomas Thrum, Polynesian Folklore, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Myths, Legends, Children’s Stories,Traditional Stories, Bedtime Stories, Hawaii, Ai Kanaka; A Legend Of Molokai, Maui Snaring The Sun, The Location Of The Lua O Milu, Kalelealuaka, Laka's Adventure, Kekupua's Canoe, The Battle Of The Owls, Hawaiian Annual, Shark Legend, Maui, Legends Of Maui, Polynesian Mythology, Snaring The Sun, Origin Of Fire, Pele And The Deluge, Pele And Kahawali, Hiku And Kawelu, Kona, Menehunes, Fairy Folk, Home Of The Brownies, Moke Manu, Kahalaopuna, Princess Of Manoa, Kanikaniaula, First Feather Cloak, Tomb Of Puupehe, Legend Of Molokai, Fish God Of Hawaii, Legend Of Ku-Ula, Story Of The Anae-Holo, Myth Of The Hilu, Hou, Snoring Fish

Hawaiian Legends & Myths is a collection of books by William Drake Westervelt, one of Hawaii's foremost authorities on island folklore. It contains five books Westervelt wrote about Hawaiian legends, folklore and mythology. "Legends of Maui" includes numerous myths of Māui, Polynesian demi god of Polynesia and Hina who is sometimes in myths his mother, and sometimes his wife. These myths and legends originate from various island groups around the Pacific and they are pesented in a clear and thorough manner. "Legends of Old Honolulu" is collection of ancient Hawaiian folktales which also includes some information about where the Hawaiians came from and the sacred places in Honolulu. As might be expected in stories originating on a small island, many of them feature the sea, boats, sea creatures or water. "Legends of Gods and Ghost-Gods" focuses on Polynesian mythology, taking a close look at Hawaiian folktales, mythology, and the history of the polytheistic practices still in place to this day. "Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes" – The first part of this book focuses on the legends of Hawaii and its volcanoes. The second part considers the geology of the region and discusses the crack in the floor of the Pacific, Hawaiian volcanoes, volcanic activity and the changes in the Kilauea crater. It also looks at the foundation of the observatory. "Hawaiian Historical Legends" take the reader through Hawaiian history from ancient times to becoming an American state. He adds that Hawaiian people are not overly concerned with dates but that these stories are all related one to another.

The Hawaiian island of Maui is the origin of one of the greatest myths, wherein the demigod Maui creates Hawaii by hauling the islands up from the ocean, and sees that this new land prospers. Maui's many exploits are given in this translation, which is adapted from the original Hawaiian script derived from the telling of the Maui legend through many generations. Though no exact date for the origin of the Maui story can be known, it is certain that the fundamental structure of his narrative dates back centuries, with various stories and other exploits being added by successive storytellers over many generations. Evidence for the mythos is found on most of the larger Hawaiian Islands, with the entire culture knowing and perpetuating the Maui with great consistency. The great strength and benevolence of Maui is told; while ostensibly a chieftain, he possesses supernatural powers that allow the harnessing of the ocean and sun for his own ends. In many respects Maui is an outsized version of an ideal, traditional Hawaiian in his prime; with a fantastic understanding of the weather; outstanding skill at fishing; and a benevolent leader to his family and clan. Even in acts that seem destructive - his killing of the long eel Tuna - a new sprout blossoms; the burial of Tuna's body results in the first coconut tree.

Four brothers, each bearing the name of Maui, belong to Hawaiian legend. They accomplished little as a family, except on special occasions when the youngest of the household awakened his brothers by some unexpected trick which drew them into unwonted action. The legends of Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti, New Zealand and the Hervey group make this youngest Maui "the discoverer of fire" or "the ensnarer of the sun" or "the fisherman who pulls up islands" or "the man endowed with magic," or "Maui with spirit power." The legends vary somewhat, of course, but not as much as might be expected when the thousands of miles between various groups of islands are taken into consideration. Maui was one of the Polynesian demi-gods. His parents belonged to the family of supernatural beings. He himself was possessed of supernatural powers and was supposed to make use of all manner of enchantments. In New Zealand antiquity a Maui was said to have assisted other gods in the creation of man. Nevertheless Maui was very human. He lived in thatched houses, had wives and children, and was scolded by the women for not properly supporting his household. The time of his sojourn among men is very indefinite. In Hawaiian genealogies Maui and his brothers were placed among the descendants of Ulu and "the sons of Kii," and Maui was one of the ancestors of Kamehameha, the first king of the united Hawaiian Islands. This would place him in the seventh or eighth century of the Christian Era. But it is more probable that Maui belongs to the mist-land of time. His mischievous pranks with the various gods would make him another Mercury living in any age from the creation to the beginning of the Christian era. The Hervey Island legends state that Maui's father was "the supporter of the heavens" and his mother "the guardian of the road to the invisible world." In the Hawaiian chant, Akalana was the name of his father. In other groups this was the name by which his mother was known. Kanaloa, the god, is sometimes known as the father of Maui. In Hawaii Hina was his mother. Elsewhere Ina, or Hina, was the grandmother, from whom he secured fire. The Hervey Island legends say that four mighty ones lived in the old world from which their ancestors came. This old world bore the name Ava-iki, which is the same as Hawa-ii, or Hawaii. The four gods were Mauike, Ra, Ru, and Bua-Taranga. It is interesting to trace the connection of these four names with Polynesian mythology. Mauike is the same as the demi-god of New Zealand, Mafuike. On other islands the name is spelled Mauika, Mafuika, Mafuia, Mafuie, and Mahuika. Ra, the sun god of Egypt, is the same as Ra in New Zealand and La (sun) in Hawaii. Ru, the supporter of the heavens, is probably the Ku of Hawaii, and the Tu of New Zealand and other islands, one of the greatest of the gods worshiped by the ancient Hawaiians. The fourth mighty one from Ava-ika was a woman, Bua-taranga, who guarded the path to the underworld. Talanga in Samoa, and Akalana in Hawaii were the same as Taranga. Pua-kalana (the Kalana flower) would probably be the same in Hawaiian as Bua-taranga in the language of the Society Islands.