Customer Reviews

Unwritten Literature of Hawaii: The Sacred Songs of the Hula

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This is an amazing history written as it was about to be lost forever, (Due to the shortsightedness of the missionaries to recognise the chants as the essence of the Hawai'ian people), at the turn of the century. Thanks to the insight of this son of a missionary in chronicling what he was able to find himself privy to, this vital information will live on. For anyone who is now or in the future involved in hula, this is an incredible resource of knowledge of the Hawai'ian chants, legend, and the essence of the beautiful Hawai'ian people. Another valuable resource is: Myths and Legends of Hawaii also written around the turn of the century and is also a first hand account of history.

Emerson was the son of missionaries, and was raised among Hawaiians, becoming fluent in the language of the culture he loved. We are so fortunate to have access to these works written side by side, in English and Hawaiian, a treasure for capturing the poetry, abundant with 'kauna', or hidden meaning as imagery of nature effortlessly moves between person and place, or beautiful flower. His other book, Pele and Hiiaka, is also a beautiful read-- compared by others as profound a classic as beautiful as Homer's epic poems.