Ke-Kai-a-Ka-Hina-Lie, the polynesian version of the deluge

Author:

Thorpe, Cora Wells

Title:

Ke-Kai-a-Ka-Hina-Lie, the polynesian version of the deluge

Periodical:

In the path of the trade winds

Year:

1924

Pages:

p.31-41

Subject:

Legends Hawaiian mythology

Summary:

This is a story of the great flood, Kekaiakahinalie, and a king named Konikonia whose land stretched from the restless waters of the great Pacific to the South, through the plains of Puna to the North, and touched the white-capped peaks of Mauna Kea. The legend tells of how the king's people were peace-loving, industrious, tireless farmers and patient fisher-folk until the day of misfortune when his Majesty's fishermen failed to capture a single fish for three successive days upon the fishing-reef Koalawaia. As explained to the king by Kuula, his sister, who was from under the sea and in love with an image by the name of Kane-Kii, was cutting the lines of the fisherman. This legend goes on to tell of how Kuula advised the king to attract his sister away from the image she called her husband, how it caused her to eat the food of the land, prevented her from ever returning to her life beneath the sea, and caused the water of the ocean to rise to Mauna Kea as her parents, Kahinalie and Hinakaauaumoana, searched the island for their daughter. Upon discovering that their search was futile, they returned to the to the bottom of the ocean after which time the waters receded and presented a land of beauty to King Konikonia and his new wife, the woman-from-under-the-sea, where they descended from Mauna Kea to the lands of Puna.

URL:

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/AFL2935.0001.001?view=toc

Collection:

Monographs