Legends
Pokane or Night Marchers
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
There are stories found throughout the island of the Pokane, or night marchers (although the term Pokane is more of a literal translation, and has debatable meanings). The Night Marchers are said to traverse the islands over many trials, on different nights of the year. Some say they are fallen...read moreThe Cave of Makalei
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
On the slopes of Hualalai there lays a cave known as the Cave of Makalei. It is said that many years ago a man named Koamokumokuoheeia moved from Kauai to the Big Island of Hawaii with his family and his son, Makalei. Here he began growing crops, but needed water. The kamaaina (locals) told him...read morePueo
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Pueo, the Hawaiian Owl, is said to be an amakua (animal spirit) that protects people, and is often seen traveling over the saddle road, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Story tells of a man named Kapoi, who went gathering supplies to fix his roof one day. On his way home he came across seven owl eggs,...read morePohuehue and Kaunaoa
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Many places in the island you can find two plants, pohuehue and kaunaoa, growing entangled in each other. Legend has it that these two were actually two lovers at one point in time. Pohuehue and Kaunaoa were the best of friends and deeply in love, however one day they got in an argument. Pohuehue...read moreNanaue
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Nanaue is the man-shark born of Kamohoalii, the shark god, and Kalei, a young woman from the Big Island of Hawaii. Legend has it that Kamohoalii once took the form of a man, to woo a beautiful young woman near Waipio valley. The couple fell in love and had a child, which they named Nanaue. Nanaue...read morePele’s Arrival to Hawaii
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
It is said that Pele came to Hawaii from Tahiti. She was accompanied by some of her siblings, one of which being Kamohoalii, the shark god, who guided her canoe to the Hawaiian Islands. She first arrived at the northwestern islands of Niihau and Kauai, however, she was followed by here angry...read morePele and Poliahu
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
One day while Poliahu and her sisters were out holua sledding they were approached by a beautiful stranger who joined in they’re games. As the ground became hotter, Poliahu realized the stranger was Madame Pele, trying to destroy here. Poliahu ran to the mountain top where she turned on Pele and...read moreAumakua
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
There are many Hawaiian tales of the sacred aumakua (spirits) that can be found throughout the islands, and often take on natural forms, such as animals. These animals are looked to as signs of power, wisdom, direction, etc. The alii (chiefs) would often look to the aumakua animals for guidance in...read moreMokuola and the Ulu
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
There is a small Island in Hilo bay names Mokuola, after the son of Ulu. Ulu was a man who was said to have lived in Waiakea, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Ulu and his wife had a son, who was very sick and could not gain weight, no matter what Ulu and his wife did for him. Eventually, Ulu decided...read moreMenehune
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Throughout the Hawaiian Islands one can find stories of the menehune, the mythical little people of ancient Hawaii. It is said that the menehune were a small, husky, hairy people who performed all their work at night. They are credited with building massive structures, including walls, heiaus...read moreMaui and the Sun
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
It is said that Maui’s mother, Hina, lived in the cave behind Rainbow Falls. Hina was renowned for her beautiful, handmade kapa cloth. However, there never seemed to be enough sunlight to dry the cloth properly. This saddened Maui, so he asked the sun to slow down, for his mother. At first the...read moreNaupaka Flower
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
When traveling around the island you may come across a rather peculiar flower that appears to be missing half of its pedals. This unique flower belongs to a Hawaiian plant called Naupaka. Although there are several species of naupaka on the island, the beach and mountain varieties tend to get the...read morePaaiea’s Fish Pond and the Girls roasting Breadfruit
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
On the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii there lays a volcano called Hualalai. Years ago there was a vast fishpond at the base of the volcano that belonged to a chief named Paaiea. One day an old lady came down the mountain to ask for fish from the fishermen. The konohiki, or overseer, refused...read moreKipuka
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Kipukas are islands of forest or vegetation that have been surrounded by a lava flow, isolating them from the rest of the forest. Similar to the moolelo stories accounting for the Ehupuaa and Amau fern, Hawaiian stories describe the creation of the kipukas as yet another battle between Pele and...read moreEhupuaa
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Often times while driving around the Big Island of Hawaii, one can see a variety of ferns, one of the most prominent being the Amau fern. Sometimes, however, you may notice a brilliant red Amau fern frond, standing out in the sea of lush green. These red fronds are called Ehupuaa, meaning...read morePele and Kamapuaa
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Although Pele, the goddess of fire, is probably one of the best known goddesses in Hawaii, she is not the only one. Another prominent god in Hawaiian theology is Kamapuaa, the god of the rainforest. Kamapuaa is often referred to as the “hog god” and is believed to have been born part pig. Even...read moreOhia Lehua
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
It is said that once there lived two lovers, named Ohia and Lehua. These two had eyes only for each other and would have no one else. One day while walking through the forest, Ohia happened to come upon Madame Pele. Upon seeing Ohia, Pele became smitten by his handsome good looks, and...read moreManaiakalani (Maui’s Fish hook)
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Maui is a prevalent god found throughout most of Polynesia. Although each location has its own set of stories relating to Maui, there are many similarities connecting them all. One of those is the sacred fish hook of Maui, which he is said to have used to perform many feats throughout Polynesia....read moreKalupeakawelo
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
Story tells of a young boy named Kawelo, who’s grandparents took a liking to him and believed he would become a strong man. As a child, Kawelo one day saw one of his peers, Kauahoa, flying a kite and wanted one of his own. His grandparents granted this to him, and he then spent days flying his...read moreKekaomakalii
Posted: Dec 12, 2010
One of the stories associated with the Pleiades is that of the malicious chief Makalii, who was said to have lived on the Kona side of the Big Island. Legend says Makalii gathered all the food and crops in a large rope net and flung it into the night sky where it became stuck. As people began to...read moreMahina
Posted: Nov 11, 2010
In Hawaiian the moon is called Mahina, who was said to be the mother of Maui. Mahina was believed to live in a cave behind Rainbow Falls, on the Big Island. It is said that Mahina wanted some peace and quiet, so she climbed a rainbow into the heavens and took up residence on the moon, which now...read more
