Hawaiian Folk Tales: With Original and Classic Edition Illustrated

It is becoming more and more a matter of regret that a larger amount of systematic effort was not established in early years for the gathering and preservation of the folk-lore of the Hawaiians. The world is under lasting obligations to the late Judge Fornander, and to Dr. Rae before him, for their painstaking efforts to gather the history of this people and trace their origin and migrations; but Fornander’s work only has seen the light, Dr. Rae’s manuscript having been accidentally destroyed by fire.The early attempts of Dibble and Pogue to gather history from Hawaiians themselves have preserved to native and foreign readers much that would probably otherwise have been lost. To the late Judge Andrews we are indebted for a very full grammar and dictionary of the language, as also for a valuable manuscript collection of meles and antiquarian literature that passed to the custody of the Board of Education.There were native historians in those days; the newspaper articles of S. M. Kamakau, the earlier writings of David Malo, and the later contributions of G. W. Pilipo and others are but samples of a wealth of material, most of which has been lost forever to the world. From time to time Prof. W. D. Alexander, as also C. J. Lyons, has furnished interesting extracts from these and other hakus.The Rev. A. O. Forbes devoted some time and thought to the collecting of island folk-lore: and King Kalakaua took some pains in this line also, as evidenced by his volume of “Legends and Myths of Hawaii,” edited by R. M. Daggett, though there is much therein that is wholly foreign to ancient Hawaiian customs and thought. No one of late years had a better opportunity than Kalakaua toward collecting the meles, kaaos, and traditions of his race; and for purposes looking to this end there was established by law a Board of Genealogy, which had an existence of some four years, but nothing of permanent value resulted therefrom.Fornander’s manuscript collection of meles, legends, and genealogies in the vernacular has fortunately become, by purchase, the property of the Hon. C. R. Bishop, which insures for posterity the result of one devoted scholar’s efforts to rescue the ancient traditions that are gradually slipping away; for the haku meles (bards) of Hawaii are gone. This fact, as also the Hawaiian Historical Society’s desire to aid and stimulate research into the history and traditions of this people, strengthens the hope that some one may yet arise to give us further insight into the legendary folk-lore of this interesting race.CONTENTSI. Legends Resembling Old Testament History.Rev. C. M. Hyde, D.D. II. Exploits of Maui.Rev. A. O. ForbesI. Snaring the Sun II. The Origin of Fire III. Pele and the Deluge.Rev. A. O. Forbes IV. Pele and Kahawali.From Ellis’s “Tour of Hawaii” V. Hiku and Kawelu.J. S. Emerson Location of the Lua o Milu VI. Lonopuha; or, Origin of the Art of Healing in Hawaii.Translated by Thos. G. Thrum VII. A Visit to the Spirit Land; or, The Strange Experience of a Woman in Kona, Hawaii.Mrs. E. N. Haley VIII. Kapeepeekauila; or, The Rocks of Kana.Rev. A. O. Forbes IX. Kalelealuaka.Dr. N. B. Emerson X. Stories of the Menehunes: Hawaii the Original Home of the Brownies.Thos. G. Thrum Moke Manu’s Account Pi’s Watercourse Laka’s Adventure Kekupua’s Canoe As Heiau Builders XI. Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa.Mrs. E. M. Nakuina XII. The Punahou Spring.Mrs. E. M. Nakuina XIII. Oahunui.Mrs. E. M. Nakuina XIV. Ahuula: A Legend of Kanikaniaula and the First Feather Cloak.Mrs. E. M. Nakuina XV. Kaala and Kaaialii: A Legend of Lanai.W. M. Gibson XVI. The Tomb of Puupehe: A Legend of Lanai.From “The Hawaiian Gazette” XVII. Ai Kanaka: A Legend of Molokai.Rev. A. O. Forbes XVIII. Kaliuwaa. Scene of the Demigod Kamapuaa’s Escape from Olopana.From “The Hawaiian Spectator” XIX. Battle of the Owls.Jos. M. Poepoe