A Legendary Tradition of Kamapua‘a, the Hawaiian Pig-God
Kamapua‘a, the Hawaiian pig-god, can change his body at will. One moment he is a virile youth, tempting divine women; in the next, he is a giant boar, ruthlessly devouring his enemies, defiant of all authority. Sometimes he is a nukunuku-a-pua‘a fish, fleeing the burning wrath of Pele's lava, and sometimes he is a kukui tree or a clump of ‘uhaloa grass, hiding in the forest from his enemies. Powerful, mischievous, charming, and audacious, Kamapua‘a suffers no retribution and acknowledges no responsibilities. He has a deep affection for his family, but rarely stays home. He falls madly in love with beautiful women, but soon moves on to new adventures.
Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa presents an insightful, thoroughly annotated translation of He Mo‘olelo Ka‘ao o Kamapua‘a, a version of the Kamapua‘a epic that appeared annonymously in the Hawaiian-language newspaper Ka Leo o ka Luhui, in 1891.
More extensive and richer in mataphor than other written versions of the legend and quite different in tenor, Kame‘elehiwa identifies its strong sexual themes and the timing of its publication - just before the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy - as an expression of Hawaiian rebellion against increasing western dominance.
Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa is an associate professor at the Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and is well known for her roles in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement as a citizen of Ka Lahui Hawai‘i, and for her political efforts in the devleopment of Hawaiian language immersion schools.
Printmaker Dietrich Varez has pioneered the effort to translate the oral traditions of Hawai‘i into striking visual images. Here, he brings to life the adventures of Kamapua‘a with his vivid block prints. Varez lives and works in Volcan, on the island of Hawai‘i.
$19.95
isbn 978-0-930897-92-5
hardcover 6x9, 162pp.
$14.95
isbn 978-0-930897-60-4
softcover, 6x9, 161pp.
Available at Bishop Museum's Shop Pacifica (phone 808-848-4158, email at shop@bishopmuseum.org ) and other fine bookstores throughout the islands.
Tags: Bishop Museum Press, Dietrich Varez, Hawaiian Folklore, Hawaiian language, Kamapua‘a, Lilikala Kame‘eleihiwa
