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Akua Hawai`i: Hawaiian Gods and their Stories
ARMITAGE, Kimo, Illus. by Solomon Enos. Akua Hawai`i: Hawaiian Gods and Their Stories. Honolulu, HI: Bishop Museum Press, 2005. 72p. ISBN 1-58178-042-7 (hc). $16.95. Bib., Illus. (col). Acid-Free.
Gods and goddesses play an important role in traditional Hawaiian society. They are believed to control the elements, harvest, fishing, and other things vital to human life. According to Akua Hawai`i: Hawaiian Gods and Their Stories, “Many Hawaiian gods are superhuman … To earn their favor was to be victorious in battle or successful in harvest. To incur their wrath meant severe hardship (2).” In this book, Kimo Armitage introduces readers to over 30 Hawaiian gods and goddesses, like Kumulipo and Po`ele, creators of the natural world; Haumea, the goddess associated with childbirth; Kanaloa, the god of the ocean, sailing, and voyaging; among many others.
The style of writing in Akua Hawai`i is straightforward, without a lot of extraneous details. It can be overwhelming for readers with little or no experience reading Hawaiian words because Armitage does not shorten them – for example, he uses the full names of sisters Namakaokaha`i and Pelehonuamea, simplified to Namaka and Pele in other readings. There are also numerous names of places, chiefs, and people referenced throughout the book. This book does not include an index, but there is a list of sources on the back page where readers can find other versions of the stories told in the book.
Kimo Armitage is an author, playwright, poet, lyricist, University of Hawai`i Hawaiian Studies Assistant Professor, and “a life-long student of Hawaiian culture”. Some of his works include children’s books: Limu the Blue Turtle, Where is Kahele?, Manuli`i and the Colorful Cape, Mahalo e Grandpa, Ho`omalamalama: A Hawaiian Language Primer, Na Olelo Noeau No Na Keiki, and He Mau Nane Hawai`i: Hawaiian Riddles. Akua Hawai`i won the 2006 Ka Palapala Po`okela award (Hawai`i Book Publishers Association award).
Solomon Enos is a well-known local muralist, painter, book illustrator, activist, comic strip creator, and educator. He had a comic strip called Polyfantastica in the Honolulu Advertiser, and is currently talking about developing it into a graphic novel. His artworks in Akua Hawai`i are just as important as the words, as they work with the stories told by Armitage to express the importance of the akua. Enos is also the illustrator of Epic Tale of Hiiakaikapoiopele.
This book is not recommended for those who are looking for information on a specific god or goddess, but rather a sampler of some. The gods and goddess are briefly described (origins, duties, abilities), and certain others are accompanied by short stories. Although Akua Hawai`i is cataloged under juvenile literature, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Older children can take delight in the beautiful watercolor paintings of illustrator Solomon Enos, while young adults and adults can enjoy learning about the akua. Akua Hawai`i would be a great addition to libraries specializing in Hawaiian culture or legends, myth, and folklore.
Gods and goddesses play an important role in traditional Hawaiian society. They are believed to control the elements, harvest, fishing, and other things vital to human life. According to Akua Hawai`i: Hawaiian Gods and Their Stories, “Many Hawaiian gods are superhuman … To earn their favor was to be victorious in battle or successful in harvest. To incur their wrath meant severe hardship (2).” In this book, Kimo Armitage introduces readers to over 30 Hawaiian gods and goddesses, like Kumulipo and Po`ele, creators of the natural world; Haumea, the goddess associated with childbirth; Kanaloa, the god of the ocean, sailing, and voyaging; among many others.
The style of writing in Akua Hawai`i is straightforward, without a lot of extraneous details. It can be overwhelming for readers with little or no experience reading Hawaiian words because Armitage does not shorten them – for example, he uses the full names of sisters Namakaokaha`i and Pelehonuamea, simplified to Namaka and Pele in other readings. There are also numerous names of places, chiefs, and people referenced throughout the book. This book does not include an index, but there is a list of sources on the back page where readers can find other versions of the stories told in the book.
Kimo Armitage is an author, playwright, poet, lyricist, University of Hawai`i Hawaiian Studies Assistant Professor, and “a life-long student of Hawaiian culture”. Some of his works include children’s books: Limu the Blue Turtle, Where is Kahele?, Manuli`i and the Colorful Cape, Mahalo e Grandpa, Ho`omalamalama: A Hawaiian Language Primer, Na Olelo Noeau No Na Keiki, and He Mau Nane Hawai`i: Hawaiian Riddles. Akua Hawai`i won the 2006 Ka Palapala Po`okela award (Hawai`i Book Publishers Association award).
Solomon Enos is a well-known local muralist, painter, book illustrator, activist, comic strip creator, and educator. He had a comic strip called Polyfantastica in the Honolulu Advertiser, and is currently talking about developing it into a graphic novel. His artworks in Akua Hawai`i are just as important as the words, as they work with the stories told by Armitage to express the importance of the akua. Enos is also the illustrator of Epic Tale of Hiiakaikapoiopele.
This book is not recommended for those who are looking for information on a specific god or goddess, but rather a sampler of some. The gods and goddess are briefly described (origins, duties, abilities), and certain others are accompanied by short stories. Although Akua Hawai`i is cataloged under juvenile literature, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Older children can take delight in the beautiful watercolor paintings of illustrator Solomon Enos, while young adults and adults can enjoy learning about the akua. Akua Hawai`i would be a great addition to libraries specializing in Hawaiian culture or legends, myth, and folklore.
Submitted in October 2009 by Tara Otomo, LIS Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa
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