Hawaiian Historical Legends

Spanning mythic origins, migration traditions, and the turbulent era of European arrival, this collection traces the transformation of Hawaiian society through its legendary narratives. Set against the consolidation of political power across the islands, the book explores the decline of the ancient tapu system that governed chiefs and priests, alongside the cultural upheaval brought by contact with technologically advanced outsiders.

Drawing from traditional Hawaiian lore, the work places these stories within the broader history of cultural encounter, adaptation, and political change in the Pacific world. William Drake Westervelt presents legends that illuminate shifting authority, spiritual beliefs, and the emergence of a new civic order in Hawaii.

Rich in historical and cultural insight, this volume offers readers a compelling perspective on how oral traditions preserve the memory of a society navigating profound transformation.