Ancient Hawaiians lived in a world where all of nature was alive with the spirits of their ancestors. These aumakua have lived on through the ages as family guardians and take on many natural forms, thus linking many Hawaiians to the animals, plants, and natural phenomena of their island home. Individuals have a reciprocal relationship with their guardian spirits and offer worship and sacrifice in return for protection, inspiration, and guidance. Hawaiian Legends of the Guardian Spirits is told in words and pictures by award-winning artist Caren Loebel-Fried. The ancient legends are brought to life in sixty beautiful block prints, many vibrantly colored, and narrated in a lively "read-aloud" style, just as storytellers of old may have told them hundreds of years ago. Notes are included, reflecting the careful and extensive research done for this volume at the Bishop Museum Library and Archives in Honolulu and at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. A short section on the process of creating the block prints that illustrate the book is also included. The matching poster of "A Chance Meeting with the Iiwi" measures 22 x 28 inches.

When the storytellers of ancient Hawaii gathered by the light of candlenut torches, they told tales that explained the world around them. These tales described how the gods created the earth and its life, how the stars were created, and why the days are longer in summer. Other stories recounted the pranks of Kamapuaa the Pig-Man, the origin of the tapa tree, the death of the monster reptile mo-o, and the home of the volcano goddess, Pele. From this rich body of mythology, author Vivian Thompson has drawn twelve myths. She retells them with the true flavor and simplicity of the storytellers of long ago. Thompson's words are accompanied by the illustrations of Hawaii artist Marilyn Kahalewai, who has captured the delight and drama of the ancient tales.

A collection of legends of the various Hawaiian Islands.

Preserving the qualities of oral storytelling - in fifty stories recorded from eighteen storytellers on eight islands and atolls - the tales in this collection relay the importance of traditional Marshallese values and customs. The collection includes profiles of the storytellers, a glossary, and a pronunciation guide.

Ku and Hina—man and woman—were the great ancestral gods of heaven and earth for the ancient Hawaiians. They were life's fruitfulness and all the generations of mankind, both those who are to come and those already born. The Hawaiian gods were like great chiefs from far lands who visited among the people, entering their daily lives sometimes as humans or animals, sometimes taking residence in a stone or wooden idol. As years passed, the families of gods grew and included the trickster Maui, who snared the sun, and fiery Pele of the volcano. Ancient Hawaiians lived by the animistic philosophy that assigned living souls to animals, trees, stones, stars, and clouds, as well as to humans. Religion and mythology were interwoven in Hawaiian culture; and local legends and genealogies were preserved in song, chant, and narrative. Martha Beckwith was the first scholar to chart a path through the hundreds of books, articles, and little-known manuscripts that recorded the oral narratives of the Hawaiian people. Her book has become a classic work of folklore and ethnology, and the definitive treatment of Hawaiian mythology. With an introduction by Katherine Luomala.

Forty-five tales, stories and legends adapted from various sources about the natural history of Hawaii and the customs, crafts, arts and history of Polynesian Hawaiians. Includes one original story by the compiler.

The latest contribution of beloved artist Dietrich Varezto interpreting and illustrating stories from Hawaiian folkloreis presented in 'Iwa, The Hawaiian Legend.When the fisherman Kea'au, renowned for catching octopus,finds two beautiful and rare red cowry shells hethinks they must be a gift from the goddess Hina. After hefashions them into a lure, the octopus swarm to the magicalshells and he gathers more than enough to feed his wholevillage. The bounty is short lived when chief 'Umi learnsof the magical shell lure and demands to have it for himself.Thus begins the tale of how the boy-thief, 'Iwa, whoexhibits the same thieving traits as his namesake, the GreatFrigatebird, is invited to the island of Hawai'i to retrievethe precious lure. There he encounters the high chief 'Umi,famous historical ruler of Hawai'i island, who puts 'Iwa'stalents to the test.The rich imagery of Hawai'i's diverse environment, itssea life, plants and animals is depicted alongside Varez'sinterpretation of the human aspect of this classic tale.