
PREFACE
MARTHA WARREN BECKWITH. - COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY,
ILLUSTRATIONS
INTRODUCTION - I. THE BOOK AND ITS WRITER; SCOPE OF THE PRESENT EDITION
II. NATURE AND THE GODS AS REFLECTED IN THE STORY - 1. POLYNESIAN ORIGIN OF HAWAIIAN ROMANCE
2\. POLYNESIAN COSMOGONY
3\. THE DEMIGOD AS HERO
4\. THE EARTHLY PARADISE; DIVINITY IN MAN AND NATURE
5\. THE STORY: ITS MYTHICAL CHARACTER
6\. THE STORY AS A REFLECTION OF ARISTOCRATIC SOCIAL LIFE
A lush Hawaiian myth unfurls in this beautifully rendered romance, where the world’s verdant islands pulse with gods, demigods, and ancient customs. The tale opens with the birth of a high‑born princess whose fate is marked by celestial signs, prompting her guardians to whisk her away to the enchanted valley of Paliuli, a hidden paradise of fragrant flowers and magical birds. There, the princess meets the brave chief Aiwohikupua, whose daring spirit and heartfelt songs set the stage for a courtship woven with supernatural challenges and daring contests.
The narrative blends lyrical prose with traditional chants, giving listeners a vivid sense of Polynesian cosmogony and aristocratic life. As the lovers navigate a series of trials—ranging from mystical guardians to fierce animal battles—the story celebrates the intimate bond between humanity and the natural world. Richly atmospheric and steeped in cultural detail, this romance invites you to linger in a timeless world where love, honor, and the divine intersect.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (831K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-10-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

A leading Native Hawaiian writer and historian of the Kingdom of Hawaii, he is best remembered for The Hawaiian Romance of Laieikawai, widely noted as the first fictional work of literature by a Native Hawaiian. His writing helped preserve Hawaiian storytelling traditions in print at a turning point in the islands' history.
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