2. TERMINOLOGY
KAʻAO
Myth
Fanciful story or tale; usually fiction
An embellished moʻolelo
MOʻOLELO
Legend
Historical in nature
Documentation
MELE
Chant/song form of kaʻao or mele
More poetic in nature
3. HAWAIIAN MYTHS &
LEGENDS
Distinction between kaʻao as fiction and
moʻolelo as fact would lie in the intention of
the story. Kaʻao are composed to tickle the
fancy versus moʻolelo, which are composed to
inform the mind as to supposed events.
Hawaiian legends and myths occupy an
important place in both the history of the
islands and in the understanding of Hawaiian
culture today.
4. 4 H’s of Myth
Hua (The Catalyst)
Haʻalele (The Separation)
Huakaʻi (The Journey)
Hoʻina (The Return)
5. HUA:
The Catalyst
The call to adventure
The hero usually starts off in a mundane situation of
normality from which some information is received
that acts as a call to head off into the unknown
Some people refuse the call to adventure and thus,
are destined to mediocre lives of survival and
convention
Those who accept the call to adventure may do so
alone or with assistance
Often receives supernatural aid in the form of a protective
figure that provide special tools and advice for the
adventure ahead
6. HAʻ ALELE:
The Separation
The point at which the main character
separates from the community and embarks on
the journey
It means leaving the familiar landscape or the
environment in which one is comfortable into
an unknown realm where the rules and limits
are unknown
7. HUAKAʻ I:
The Journey
The main character often undergoes a series of tests,
tasks, ordeals or challenges that he/she is required to
accomplish as part of the adventure
Experiences and lessons are learned that leads us to our
ancient selves
Typified by a trail or path
If the path is steep, it often alludes to difficulties
The main character may meet up with a mentor
Mentor: people you meet along the way who assist you such as an old
lady/man, talking animals, fairy godmother, relatives, etc.
Everything and everyone in a journey are necessary for
growth
8. HOʻ INA:
The Return
After answering the call to adventure and
meeting its trials, the main character must
return and integrate back into the community
The main character returns to the ordinary
world with an item or awareness that will
benefit the society left earlier
The main character returns to tell his/her story
and to serve as inspiration for others who have
not yet answered their call
9. DIFFERENT FACETS TO
CONSIDER IN HAWAIIAN
MYTHS & LEGENDS
Historical Elements
Documentation of Place Names
Names have a lot of mana (spiritual power/force). They are
incorporated into myths/legends/mele for a reason.
1st hula, important events, etc.
Biographical Elements
Gods, goddesses, deities, etc.
Characters of the story
The meaning of people’s names often have a lot of mana
and can add insight into the character
10. DIFFERENT FACETS TO
CONSIDER IN HAWAIIAN
MYTHS & LEGENDS
Cultural Elements
Culture of family
Social protocol
Oli (chants)
Social order
Medicine
Arts and crafts
11. COMMON MOTIFS IN
HAWAIIAN MYTHOLOGY
Hōʻailona
Omens or predictions within a story
A prophecy of what is to come
Names of characters or place names often provide
insight into the characters’ attributes, personality
and/or the plot of the story.
ie: Wailuku is the name of a river in Hilo. Wailuku
literally means “destructive water,” so it gives you an idea
of the kind of river it is
12. COMMON MOTIFS IN
HAWAIIAN MYTHOLOGY
Sole Survivor
The remaining survivor who is left behind to tell the story
or report what happened to others
Recognition Token
Magical things of power belonging to certain people
Special items given by a chief to a mistress
The items are often given with the instructions that any child born
of the affair is to present them to the chief to gain recognition that
he is his child
Typical items include things that are worn, such as malo, lei, capes,
etc.
13. COMMON MOTIFS IN
HAWAIIAN MYTHOLOGY
Birth/Death/Rebirth
Mo`okū`auhau, or genealogy, is very important to
the Hawaiian people. Most myths & legends begin
with some form of genealogy
In mythology, births may be supernatural
Rebirth - To experience another existence such
as the changing from one life form to another
Reincarnation (animal, live being)
Transformation (stones, cliff heads)