TRADITIONAL TALES: MYTHOLOGY & LEGENDS

Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site PUUKOHOLA HEIAU NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (Kohala District) War Temple to Ku Consecrated to the War God, Ku, and site of many human sacrifices. Some people come here to pray, maybe to the old Hawaiian gods. It is said that blood still seeps from the rocks, and there is a shark heiau under the blue waters of this peaceful-looking bay.

Photo credit State Parks Division, DLNR KUEMANU HEIAU Kahaluu Bay (Kona District) Surfer’s Temple A chief who loved to surf saw a beautiful naked woman expertly riding the waves, her long hair flying in the wind. They married. Their children became the rulers of Maui and Hawaii. Today surfers still pray here for the perfect wave. Some surfers may find the presence of a sacrificial bone pit an ominous touch!

© William Crowe KALALEA HEIAU South Point (Kau District) A Doorway to the Other Side Considered to be a power vortex, a rip in the fabric of time. There are many stories of UFO sightings here. A local resident covered a large area with macadamia nut shells to create a smooth landing strip. Build it, and they will come.

Kilauea Volcano KILAUEA VOLCANO Hawaii Volcanoes National Park A Home to the Goddess of Fire The Goddess Pele the lady with the unpredictable, volcanic personality. She often appears either as an old woman or a young girl. There are many stories of sightings before volcanic eruptions. Island lore tells that the power of the goddess extends beyond the shores of Hawaii. The fire that resulted from the 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of San Francisco was said to have had the unmistakable brand of Pele. Pele is a goddess who is still actively worshipped today. Note the offerings on the rim of the crater when you visit Kilauea Volcano.

© William Crowe NAHA STONE Hilo Town (Hilo District) The Excalibur Story of Hawaii Many years before the birth of Kamehameha the Great, a powerful kahuna (priest) prophesied that the man who moved the 7,000 pound Naha Stone would be the greatest king of Hawaii. Kamehameha, a boy of about fourteen years, moved this massive rock, then he lifted it and turned it over. As the prophet had foretold, Kamehameha I became Hawaii’s greatest king.

Source: Unless otherwise noted, photographs and text are excerpted from Exploring Lost Hawaii: Places of Power, History, Mystery & Magic with the permission of the authors, Ellie and William Crowe and with credit to Island Heritage, publisher of the book. To order this unique, informative, and critically acclaimed guidebook, visit Exploring Lost Hawaii.

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