Hawaiian Folk Tales
A Collection of Native Legends
Compiled by
Thos. G. Thrum
With sixteen illustrations from photographs
Chicago A. C. McClurg & Co. 1907
Copyright, 1907 By A. C. McClurg & Co.
Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England Published March 1, 1907
The Lakeside Press R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company Chicago
PREFACE
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.
T. G. T.
Honolulu, January 1, 1907.
NOTE
In response to repeated requests, the compiler now presents in book form the series of legends that have been made a feature of "The Hawaiian Annual" for a number of years past. 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.
The collection embraces contributions by the Rev. A. O. Forbes, Dr. N. B. Emerson, J. S. Emerson, Mrs. E. M. Nakuina, W. M. Gibson, Dr. C. M. Hyde, and others, all of whom are recognized authorities.
T. G. T.
Honolulu, January 1, 1907.
CONTENTS
I. Legends Resembling Old Testament History. Rev. C. M. Hyde, D.D. 15
II. Exploits of Maui. Rev. A. O. Forbes
I. Snaring the Sun 31 II. The Origin of Fire 33
III. Pele and the Deluge. Rev. A. O. Forbes 36
IV. Pele and Kahawali. From Ellis's "Tour of Hawaii" 39
V. Hiku and Kawelu. J. S. Emerson 43
Location of the Lua o Milu 48
VI. Lonopuha; or, Origin of the Art of Healing in Hawaii. Translated by Thos. G. Thrum 51
VII. A Visit to the Spirit Land; or, The Strange Experience of a Woman in Kona, Hawaii. Mrs. E. N. Haley 58
VIII. Kapeepeekauila; or, The Rocks of Kana. Rev. A. O. Forbes 63
IX. Kalelealuaka. Dr. N. B. Emerson 74
X. Stories of the Menehunes: Hawaii the Original Home of the Brownies. Thos. G. Thrum 107
Moke Manu's Account 109 Pi's Watercourse 110 Laka's Adventure 111 Kekupua's Canoe 114 As Heiau Builders 116
XI. Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa. Mrs. E. M. Nakuina 118
XII. The Punahou Spring. Mrs. E. M. Nakuina 133
XIII. Oahunui. Mrs. E. M. Nakuina 139
XIV. Ahuula: A Legend of Kanikaniaula and the First Feather Cloak. Mrs. E. M. Nakuina 147
XV. Kaala and Kaaialii: A Legend of Lanai. W. M. Gibson 156
XVI. The Tomb of Puupehe: A Legend of Lanai. From "The Hawaiian Gazette" 181
XVII. Ai Kanaka: A Legend of Molokai. Rev. A. O. Forbes 186
XVIII. Kaliuwaa. Scene of the Demigod Kamapuaa's Escape from Olopana. From "The Hawaiian Spectator" 193
XIX. Battle of the Owls. Jos. M. Poepoe 200
XX. This Land is the Sea's. Traditional Account of an Ancient Hawaiian Prophecy. Translated from Moke Manu by Thos. G. Thrum 203
XXI. Ku-ula, the Fish God of Hawaii. Translated from Moke Manu by M. K. Nakuina 215
XXII. Aiai, Son of Ku-ula. Part II of the Legend of Ku-ula, the Fish God of Hawaii. Translated from Moke Manu by M. K. Nakuina 230
XXIII. Kaneaukai: A Legend of Waialua. Thos. G. Thrum 250
XXIV. The Shark-man, Nanaue. Mrs. E. M. Nakuina 255
XXV. Fish Stories and Superstitions. Translated by M. K. Nakuina 269
Glossary 277
ILLUSTRATIONS
Hawaiian Girl of the Old Régime Frontispiece
A Lava Cascade 40
View in Wainiha Valley, Kauai 66