This ancient saga begins with the goddess Pele's migration to Kīlauea and her spirit's search for a lover. The story details the quest of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele to find Pele's beloved Lohiʻauipo and bring him back to their crater home. Graced with a magical skirt and wielding supernatural powers, Hiʻiaka and her companions make their dangerous journey facing supernatural foes and cunning human ways. This engrossing account of love and lust, jealousy and justice, is complete with deities, demons, chiefs and commoners. Through the publication of The Epic Tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, the deep, complex and moving story of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, the favored younger sister of Pele, the enchantress of Kīlauea, is shared with the world.

This is the most complete telling in English of this traditional story of Hiʻiaka and her volcano-goddess sister, Pele. It includes a wealth of Hawaiian knowledge including place names, winds, plants, protocols and practices. Features 119 episodes with 375 hula chants and a chant index in Hawaiian and English.

Originally published in Ka Na’i Aupuni by Hoʻoulumāhiehie in 1905-1906

Translator: Puakea Nogelmeier

Softcover, 496 pp.