Hawaiian Mythology

By Martha Beckwith

[1940 (no Renewal)]

This is Martha Beckwith's monumental study of Hawaiian mythology.
Beckwith utilized numerous texts which are today rare or hard to obtain to construct this study.
She gives all available variants of each myth or legend, including versions from other Pacific islands including Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa and others.
This is primarily a critical edition of the key Hawaiian myths, and Beckwith largely does not attempt to interpret the texts, rather to examine both variant narratives and core folklore motifs.
The book covers every significant theme in Hawaiian mythology, from the origin myths of the Hawaiian gods and goddesses, to more recent legends of star-crossed lovers.
She also covers such topics as Kahunas (sorcerors) and Menehunes (fairies).

Title Page

Contents

Preface

Part One: The Gods

I. Coming of the Gods

II. Ku Gods

III. The God Lono

IV. The Kane Worship

V. Kane and Kanaloa

VI. Mythical Lands of the Gods

VII. Lesser Gods

VIII. Sorcery Gods

IX. Guardian Gods

X. The Soul After Death

Part Two: Children Of The Gods

Xi. The Pele Myth

XII. The Pele Sisters

XIII. Pele Legends

XIV. Kamapua'a

XV. Hina Myths

VI. Maui the Trickster

XVII. Aikanaka-Kaha'i Cycle

Xviii. Wahieloa-Laka Cycle

XIX. Haumea

Part Three. The Chiefs

Xx. Papa and Wakea

XXI. Genealogies

XXII. Era of Overturning

Xxiii. Mu and Menehune People

XXIV. Runners, Man-Eaters, Dog-Men

XXV. The Moikeha-La'a Migration

XXVI. Hawaiiloa and Paao Migrations

Xxvii. Ruling Chiefs

Xxviii. Usurping Chiefs

Part Four. Heroes And Lovers In Fiction

Xxix. Kupua Stories

XXX. Trickster Stories

XXXI. Voyage to the Land of the Gods

Xxxii. Riddling Contests

Xxxiii. The Kana Legend

Xxxiv. The Stretching-Tree Kupua

XXXV. Romance of the Swimmer

Xxxvi. Romance of the Island of Virgins

Xxxvii. Romances of Match-Making

Xxxviii. Romances of the Dance

Xxxix. Wooing Romances

References