Hawaiian Mythology (Annotated)

Discover The Polynesian Myths and Legends Surrounding Hawaiian Volcanoes

By: William D. Westervelt

Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston, James Francis Markert

Length: 5 hrs

Publisher's summary

Great collection of the Hawaiian legends and Polynesian myths with geological facts at the time.

Unique to this title are:

• A historical introduction to the author, his life, and his works
• A study of themes in Hawaiian mythology

Be ready to immerse yourself into the myths and long forgotten stories of the Hawaiian people.

The traditional name of the Hawaiian people is Kānaka Maoli. Hawaii was settled at least 800 years ago with the voyage of Polynesians from the Society Islands. They have a rich and colorful culture as well as vibrant stories which emerged from the volcanoes and planted their roots to inspire their descendants for generations.

This audiobook will cover some of the most interesting legends as well as geological facts about the volcanoes which give an interesting perspective as to how those stories were formed. In Hawaiian religion, Pele, goddess of volcanoes, is credited with controlling the lava flows of Kilauea. Known for her strength and enviousness, Pele was descended from Papa and Wakea, the ancient Earth Mother and Sky Father. To illustrate her importance, the author includes stories from history and notes on geology.

Sneak peek of chapters inside:

Part One: Legends

1. Ai Laau, the Forest Eater
2. How Pele Came to Hawaii
3. Pele and the Owl Ghost-God
4. The Hills of Pele
5. Pele and the Chiefs of Puna
6. Pele's Tree
7. Pele and Kaha-Wali
8. Pele and Kama-Puaa
9. Pele and the Snow-Goddess
10. Genealogy of the Pele Family
11. Pele's Long Sleep
12. Hopoe, the Dancing Stone
13. Hiiaka's Battle with Demons
14. How Hiiaka Found Wahine-Omao
15. Hiiaka Catching a Ghost
16. Hiiaka and the Seacoast Kupuas
17. Lohiau
18. The Annihilation of Keoua's Army
19. Destruction of Kamehameha's Fish-Ponds
20. Kapiolani and Pele

Part Two: Geological Facts

1. The Crack in the Floor of the Pacific
2. Hawaiian Volcanoes
3. Volcanic Activity
4. Changes in Kilauea Crater
5. Foundation of the Observatory

About the author:

William Drake Westervelt has written many books as well as magazines covering the history, legends and mythology of Hawaii. Rev. William D. Westervelt was born on December 26, 1849 in Oberlin, Ohio. His interest in Hawaiian mythology was an avocation that led to numerous magazine and newspaper articles, many reprinted in his several collections. A century after its publication, this book is still a great reference to Hawaiian mythology.

Indulge yourself and give this audiobook a listen! Close your eyes while the narrator guides you through a time of erupting volcanoes and the birth of Pele and her great legends as the creator of the Hawaiian islands!

Public Domain (P)2023 Chronos Publishing

Geology

The stories were interesting but I never really got into the book. The last third was more about the geology and history of the land than the mythology. I thought this part was written in a more intriguing manner. I personally found the narrator difficult to understand in parts.

I was given this book as a review copy but these thoughts are my own.

Hawaiian legends and geological facts

I enjoyed listening to this compilation of Hawaiian mythology, legends, and information about the Hawaiian volcanoes.

William D. Westervelt presented the stories in a logical way. It was very obvious to me that he has a very detailed knowledge of the history of Hawaii and it was wonderful to experience the stories.

Jim D. Johnson did a great job with the narration. He has a very matter of fact way of narrating and I did enjoy it.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

If you enjoy mythologies this book is for you

Before listening to this title, I knew very little about Hawaiian mythology. This book provides an interesting look at the stories surrounding volcanos and Hawaiian culture. The narrator can definitely make or ruin an audiobook and personally, I really liked Jim D. Johnston, his narration didn't distract from the stories at all. If you like mythology then you will want to try this audiobook.

I received this book for free at my request and chose to leave a review because I enjoyed the book.

The language is being butchered

He is very articulate with his English but for the Hawaiian portions, it’s a hard no. I would be happy to re-read this book for Audible because the Hawaiian language is totally being butchered.

Hawaiian Legends and a Bit of History

This is a very interesting set of stories. The first portion is all Pele stories but there's quite a bit on the Ghost gods and a variety of other interesting gods, goddesses and other creatures and some interesting historical information including details on the establishment of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Interesting.informative and well presented.

offensive

I couldn't listen to the offensive way of mispronounced names. Our culture is preserved in out language so to hear someone try to explain about Na Akua are God's and goddesses. To not pronouce correctly and to have someone with no vocal awareness of this is unacceptable. disgusted.

Terrible!!

The Hawaiian pronunciation in this book is so bad as to be offensive. Make sure narrators can pronounce the language before paying them for a truly offensive performance.

Interesting stories

I have always been a big fan of mythology so it was a lot of fun hearing mythologies of a people that I don’t know much about. The stories shed some light on the current cultural situation. The narration was expertly performed and helped bring the stories to life.

Pedantic and dry. Written 50 yes ago.

I thought it would be good to learn about Hawaiian mythology before traveling there. However, this book a 50 year old academic treatise, and it sounds like that. It is a dry and pedantic list of Hawaiian gods who battled here and there, then battled more. I don’t get any sense of how the mythology influenced culture.