Hawaiian Antiquities (BERNICE PAUAHI BISHOP MUSEUM SPECIAL PUBLICATION)

``This volume offers a singular account of Hawaiian culture and society in pre-Christian times. This eengrossing study, completed in 1839, tells us of the material world of Hawaiians, as well as their origins, myths and beliefs. Born in 1795 and raised among chiefs, priests, artisans and scholars in the court of Kamehameha I, Malo provides one of the few authentic sources of information on the ancient beliefs and practices of Hawaiians. Malo was among the first Hawaiians to study with the missionaries. Although he was influenced by Christian teachings, he had been brought up under the traditional Hawaiian kapu system and his writings embody Hawaiian patterns of thought."