L Legends of Ma-ui, a Demi God of Polynesia, and of His Mother Hina W. D. Westervelt

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Legends of Ma-ui, a Demi God of Polynesia, and of His Mother Hina

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About this book

Across Hawaii, New Zealand and other Pacific islands, stories of Maui give extraordinary explanations for familiar parts of the world. W. D. Westervelt gathers these accounts alongside legends of Maui's mother, Hina, comparing versions from different island groups. Maui fishes up islands, lifts the sky, captures the sun and discovers fire. His supernatural powers sit beside ordinary household concerns, giving the collection a hero who can be resourceful, troublesome and very human.

The chapters follow separate episodes rather than a single continuous plot. In one account, Maui confines winds in caves; in another, he calls winds to help fly his kites beside the Wailuku River near Hilo. Tales of Hina connect her with the moon and Hawaiian places. Published in 1910, these retellings offer readers a way to compare shared motifs and local variations across Polynesian traditions.