Pele: Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes [Paperback]

Herb Kawainui Kane (Author)

Book Description

Myths, legends, romances and folktales of the most fascinating goddess of old Hawaii. Pele lives in Hawaiian hearts and minds as the personification of volcanic majesty and power. Having the power to create new land, she has a volcanic personality - an impetuous, lusty nature, jealous, unpredictable, capable of sudden fury and great violence. Yet she can also be gentle, loving and as serene as her forests of verns and flowering trees.

Editorial Reviews

Review

No reviews, however this little book has sold over 80,000 copies. No advertising but word of mouth. Increasing mail orders to Kawainui Press from the U.S. and overseas suggest that there appears to be a growing world interest in the overall concept of goddesses. -- From the Publisher --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Herb Kawainui Kane (pronounced KAH-ney) is an artist-historian of Hawaii. Clients include many private collectors, The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, The National Park Service, National Geographic Magazine and other major publishers. He has designed stamps for the U.S. Postal Service and foreign philatelic agencies. He served as designer and first captain of the voyaging canoe replica Hokulea, which has logged more than 60,000 miles, navigated without instruments. Named a Living Treasure of Hawaii, he was a founding director of the Native Hawaiian Culture & Arts Program, and awarded the Charles Reed Bishop Medal from the Bishop Museum. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Kawainui Pr; Revised edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943357012
• ISBN-13: 978-0943357010
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #536,399 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #75 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Folklore & Mythology
  • #100 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Earthquakes & Volcanoes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Introduction to Hawai'ian Mythology, September 30, 2000

By 

Spitz (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pele: Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes (Paperback)

This small but beautiful book is a marvelous introduction to Hawai'ian mythology through the volcano goddess Pele. Also contains information about the other Hawai'ian gods, which were largely imported from Tahitian myths. The book presents the reader with the facts and fallacies behind the lore of Pele through very readable and enjoyable text and beautiful paintings. Of special interest is the list of stories about Pele sightings that have occured since the beginning of Hawai'ian history and which continue to this day. Also contains much fascinating information about Hawai'ian culture (which tourists often take for granted), including the cultural and spiritual importance of the hula dance. Highly recommended!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pele, April 26, 2000

By 

Jeannemarie (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pele: Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes (Paperback)

Pele Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes is a wonderful book full of the myths and legends of a powerful Goddess who rules over the Hawaiian islands. With strinking pictures that explain all of the gods and put faces to the names. It disproves false myths such as human sacrafice and brings it all alive. Reading this book is a must before visiting the vocanoes in Hawaii, it makes it all mean so much. I definately recommend this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pele revealed, February 10, 2004

By 

L O'connor (richmond, surrey United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pele: Goddess of Hawaii's Volcanoes (Paperback)

A fascinating history of the goddess Pele in legend and history, telling her story from ancient Hawaii to the present. Particularly interesting is the author's description of people returning rocks taken from Hawaii in the belief that they have been cursed. It seems Pele's presence is still very much felt in Hawaii. The book is full of absolutely gorgeous illustrations, it would be worth buying for those alone, but the text is absorbing too. If you want to know about Pele, this book will tell you everything about her.