The Hawaiian Romance Of Laieikawai

"The Hawaiian Romance of Laieikawai" by S. N. Haleole is an engaging Polynesian story from the 1800s that follows the life of Laieikawai, a respected Hawaiian leader. Her experiences take her through both real life and a world of gods, and the story looks at ideas of love and worship using Hawaiian myths and legends. More than just a story, it also shows Hawaiian customs and the value of sharing stories orally. We start by seeing Laieikawai as a princess living in the beautiful, protected place called Paliuli, where a magical protector and nature watch over her. This start introduces us to the relationships she will have and the problems she will face, with both gods and people playing a role. The story also gives us an understanding of where it came from, noting the old Hawaiian traditions it keeps alive and thanking the people and stories that helped shape it. Haleole uses strong images of the people and places in his story to bring back old ways of storytelling, letting readers experience the lives, beliefs, and artistic skills of the Polynesian people.