Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology) Collected and translated from the Hawaiian

"Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes" by W. D. Westervelt is a compilation of early 20th-century Hawaiian myths focused on deities, especially Pele, the fire goddess, and the dramatic volcanoes of the Hawaiian Islands. The legends weave together natural events and cultural stories, providing insight into Hawaiian mythology and the important role volcanoes play in their beliefs. The book starts by introducing the relationship between Hawaiian legends and volcanoes, which forms part of their natural world. The beginning outlines how the Hawaiian Islands formed and prepares the reader for the myths that come next. The mythology is woven in with geological fact, explaining how the land was transformed by both. Pele's story begins by introducing Ai-laau, the forest eater, the god who battled Pele for the land.