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Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology) / Collected and translated from the Hawaiian cover

Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (mythology) / Collected and translated from the Hawaiian

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About This Book

A translated anthology of Hawaiian mythic narratives that personify volcanic forces and recount the deeds of Pele and other fire deities, offering traditional explanations for eruptions, lava flows, and landscape features through stories of rivalry, migration, and supernatural intervention. The text pairs a scientific foreword about volcanic formation with successive legends, place-tales, and origin accounts that describe sacred rites, local beliefs, and human interactions with the volcanic world. Organized as collected folklore, the narratives illuminate how mythic imagination shapes understanding of natural phenomena and community responses to volcanic danger and fertility.

About the Author

Westervelt, W. D. portrait

W. D. Westervelt

W. D. Westervelt was an American author and translator known for his significant contributions to the preservation of Hawaiian mythology and folklore. His works often focus on the rich tapestry of Hawaiian legends, reflecting the culture and traditions of the islands. Among his notable publications are "Hawaiian Historical Legends" and "Legends of Ma-ui—a demi god of Polynesia, and of his mother Hina." Westervelt's translations and collections serve as important resources for understanding the spiritual and cultural narratives of Hawaii, making him a key figure in the documentation of Polynesian mythology.

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