Hilo Legends

The charming legends associated with landmarks around the town of Hilo on the Island of Hawaii have been retold in words and pictures in this compilation of favorite stories. Two new stories about King Kamehameha have been added to this revised edition. The Story of the Naha Stone, tells the legendary tale of Kamehameha s connection to the historic Hilo relic that can be visited in front of the Hilo Public Library. A pivotal historical event on the coast south of Hilo resulted in Kamehameha proclaiming The Law of the Splintered Paddle, the Hawaiian Kingdom s first written law that has become a model for the protection of human rights during a time of war and upheaval. How Hilo Got Its Name interweaves historical lore with another tale of Kamehameha. The Story of Coconut Island and the Maui and Hina legends centering on Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots reflect the traditions of the famous demi-god and goddess immortalized in tales throughout Polynesia. Local myth about the Halai Hills illustrates the ancient Hawaiians celebration of place and the wealth of the oral tradition that connected generations of people to the land. These ancient stories celebrating the history and landmarks of Hilo will continue to entertain and enlighten for generations to come.