This document provides an overview of Hawaiian mythology and legends. It defines key terms like myth, legend, and chant. It also outlines the common structure of myths through the "4 Hs": the catalyst, separation, journey, and return. Motifs that often appear like omens, sole survivors, and recognition tokens are also discussed. The document aims to inform the reader about the historical, cultural, and structural elements of Hawaiian oral traditions.

1. WEEK 2 LECTURE
HAWAIIAN MYTHOLOGY
HWST 104

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)