Hawaiian Historical Legends

"Hawaiian Historical Legends" by W. D. Westervelt is a compilation of Hawaiian stories that blends history with myth. Woven into the pages are tales of wonder focusing on beings with god-like power like the demi-god Maui, alongside noteworthy leaders and people who influenced the Hawaiian islands’ history. The book starts by telling the reader of Maui, a central figure in Polynesian legends. The story tells of his extraordinary powers and brave actions, describing his mischievous side, his family life, and the amazing stories about his feats, like lifting the sky and pulling islands from the sea. Maui’s mixed nature, part human and part god is detailed as he goes through trials showing the values and beliefs of old Hawaiians, paving the way for the legends shared in the collection.