More
books by Joyce Hau'oli Carter
HAWAIIAN MYTHS
AND MYSTERIES
Legends from Old Hawai'i
Myths and Mysteries
is a compilation of twenty ancient and traditional legends carefully
chosen and interpreted by the author for young people.
A myth is defined
as a story about the activities of god-like beings; a legend
deals with heroes or other human beings and is believed to be
based on historical events. In ancient times, these stories
often originated with a small particle of truth. Having no written
language, the people told these tales to their children, passing
them down from generation to generation in order to keep them
alive. The stories attempt to explain those things which the
people did not understand, such as violent acts of nature: storms,
volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In the telling, the tales
were often expanded and exaggerated.
The stories in this
book are loosely based on myths and legends of old Hawai'i.
Many tales are similar to our own folktales as well as those
of other countries, showing that we are more alike than different.
Their content has been chosen as appropriate, appealing and
intriguing to children from the ages of eight though twelve.
