Back Home and then Back to Exile

The Legends and Myths of Hawaii, by David Kalakaua, has the subtitle “The Fables And Folklore Of A Strange People.” Published in 1888 by David Kalakaua, the penultimate Hawaiian monarch,  he tells the story of his people from ancient times to the early contact with Europeans.  He makes some interesting moves. He incorporates the history of the Hawaiian people with biblical history.  Many of his stories are about knights and princes who rise above their station in the fractured Hawaii before it was governed by Kamehameha, the first monarch.  A beautiful princess is usually involved.  There is a Victorian ring to their tone and structure. This book should be read at a leisurely pace.  Many of the stories are similar.  For most people, the names will be very similar as well.  No doubt this is a vital historical source for native Hawaiians. 

the paperback at Two Step, Hawaii

My particular paperback went along to our trip to the Big Island in early 2020.  While there, I noticed it had a stamp from Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu, Hawaii, which is on Maui.  When we drove north on the Big Island, we could see this side of Maui across the channel.  The book was ordered from Maryland.  It was originally in the library of the national park until at least 1998. After 1998 it left its home. In 2020 it has made its way back to its home, if only for two weeks.  Who knows, maybe this was not the paperback’s first trip to its homeland?  Maybe it will get back there again?