A language learners’ forum

Can you recommend some online books about Polynesian mythology? My son would like to know more about Maui but I did not find enough to answer his questions.

For Hawai`i, the books that get the most respect are:

Hawaiian Mythology. Martha Warren Beckwith (1940) (Has a chapter on Maui)

The Legends and Myths of Hawai`i. David Kalākaua (1888). A collection by the last king of Hawai`i. He was the one who reversed the Christian ban on hula.

Hawaiian Antiquities: Mo`olelo Hawai`i. David Malo (1838). People still refer to this book a lot; David Malo was born in the old religion and converted to Christianity. The book deals a lot with culture and practices, but contains a fair amount of mo`olelo (stories)

The Epic Tale of Hi'iakaikapoliopele. Puakea Nogelmeier. 2012. This is the epic 500-page story of the battle between the goddesses (and sisters) Pele and Hi`iaka for the love of the mortal Lohi`au, who was apparently the hottest guy ever. This was originally serialized in Hawaiian newspapers; Puakea made the first English-language translation in 2012. There have been hulas, plays, musicals, and modern dance interpretations; a group is currently working on developing a version for Broadway! (we saw some early previews). It's a very popular story here.

There are probably on-line public-domain versions out there of the older books.

Nā Kau a Hiʻiaka (with English subtitles)

Part 1


Part 2

Thank you very much Kanewai.

Eteroa : mythes, légendes et traditions d'une île polynésienne, (Trad. du tahitien par Michel Brun. Préface d'Edgar Tetahiotupa, avant-propos et notes de Michel Brun) collection « L'aube des peuples », Gallimard, 2007.

et

Mythes tahitiens (Textes réunis par Teuira Henry. Trad. de l'anglais par Bertrand Jaunez. Édition d'Alain Babadzan), collection « L'aube des peuples », Gallimard, 1993.