Hilo Legends [Paperback]

Frances Reed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1987

The charming legends associated with landmarks around the town of Hilo have been retold in words and pictures in this compilation of favorite stories. Included are "How Hilo Got Its Name," "The Story of Coconut Island" and the Maui and Hina legends centering on Rainbow Falls and The Boiling Pots. For many years Frances Reed was a children's Librarian at the Hawaii County Library and used these tales in her story-telling hours. Jan Moon is a well-known Hilo artist and illustrator. Both women had lived in Hilo for 30 years when they worked together to create an enchanting book that will be enjoyed by both adults and children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 52 pages
• Publisher: Petroglyph Pr Ltd (September 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0912180455
• ISBN-13: 978-0912180458
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,625,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The OTHER Side of the Island, July 28, 2000

By 

Bill Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hilo Legends (Paperback)

Much has been written about the stories of the goddess Pele, the volcano and the Kona side of the Big Island in Hawai`i. Yet the Hilo side has it's own rich set of mythologies. Given the abundant rainfall on the Bid Island's east side, more of the mythology naturally revolves around fresh water. One of the best examples is the story of how Hilo got its name.

One time, while camped at the mouth of the Wailuku River, King Kamehameha decided to visit a powerful friend and chief who lived a short way up the river. Leaving his bodyguards behind, he instructed them to make sure that his canoe was not stolen or carried away by the tides. The king did not return. His men, fearing for his safety, wanted to search for him, but had no way to secure the King's canoe. One of them, being from Waipio, quickly taught the others to make rope out of twisted ti leaves to tie down the canoe so they could leave in search of the king. Upon seeing what his people had done, King Kamehameha named the place "Hilo," meaning "twisted."

Other stories cover most of Hilo's well-know spots - Rainbow Falls, Coconut Island, the Halai Hills, the Wailuku River and the Boiling Pots. They are all well-written, with beautiful pen and ink illustrations by Jan Moon.