The Epic Tale of Hi`iakaikapoliopele: Woman of the Sunrise Lightning-skirted Beauty of Halema'uma'u

This ancient saga, translated to English for the first time, details the quest of Pele's younger sister, Hi'iakaikapoliopele, to find the handsome Lohi'auipo and bring him back to their crater home. Graced with a magical skirt and wielding supernatural powers, Hi'iaka and her companions make their way through dangers and ordeals, facing spectral foes and worldly wiles. It is a very human account of love and lust, jealousy and justice, peopled with deities, demons, chiefs and commoners. This captivating five-hundred-page translation of Ho' oulumahiehie's original, articulated with 375 chants and lavish illustrations, showcases his profound cultural knowledge and engaging style for English audiences. It highlights Hi iaka's role as a healer, source of inspiration, and icon of the hula traditions that embody the chants and dances of Pele and Hi'iaka. This is the most extensive form of the story every documented, offering a wealth of detail and insights about social and religious practices, poetry and hula, the healing arts, and many other Hawaiian customs. This magnificent work is also available in a volume presented exclusively in the Hawaiian language.