Pele, the Fire Goddess
Pele, the Fire Goddess, told by Dietrich Varez and Pua Kanaka‘ole Kanahele, is a simple yet powerful rendering of a classic Hawaiian myth. From its mysterious beginning to its dramatic ending, this authentic narrative retains the spellbinding quality of a story that has been told over the centuries.
Even before she was born, the village elders knew Pele would be different from all other children. "When a great storm comes," they told her mother, "your ancestors will bring the spirit of your child." One night "when the earth shook, lightning split the sky, and thunder rolled down the green valleys," Pele arrived.
We follow this unusual child as she is taught the secret of fire by a wise uncle, and eventually is forced by her family to look for a new home. She sets out on a long sea voyage with her brothers and sisters, making her way to the fiery crater of Halema‘uma‘u, guided by the stars as her father advised. There, on the island of Hawai‘i, Pele encounters the Fire God, ‘Aila‘au, and battles him for possession of the volcano.
At Halema‘uma‘u, she dreams of a handsome young chief and sends her dearest sister, Hi‘iaka, to Kaua‘i to fetch him. But readers soon discover that Pele's love for her sister is matched by a jealousy and impatience that knows no bounds.
This is a captivating story that will delight children as well as adults. perfectly complemented by the handsome linocut prints of Dietrich Varez, it is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the ear.
Dietrich Varez, a native of Berlin, moved to Hawai‘i at the age of eight and has been immersed in local culture ever since. A pioneering artist and illustrator of Hawaiian material, Varez is known for his handsome linocut prints.
Pua Kanaka‘ole Kanahele is a master storyteller. A teacher of Hawaiian chant and hula, she comes from a famil whose history and traditions have been entwined with Pele for many generations.
$16.00
isbn 978-0-930897-52-9
hardcover, 9x11, 52pp.
Available at Bishop Museum's Shop Pacifica and other fine bookstores throughout the islands.
Tags: Bishop Museum Press, children's book, Dietrich Varez, Hawaiian folktales, pele, Pua Kanaka‘ole Kanahele
