Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 1996 — The epie tale of the pig god, Kamapua'a [ARTICLE]

The epie tale of the pig god, Kamapua'a

Bishop Museum Press announces the release of its newest publication, "A Legendary Tradition of Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian Pig-God", translated from Hawaiian by native Hawaiian scholar Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa. For centuries Hawaiians have passed down the tale of Kamapua'a, the Hawaiian pig god, from one generation to the next. Details were often changed to suit the purposes of the storyteller, new aneedotes of their own would be added to the list of his adventures. Kamapua'a ean change his body at will, one moment he is a virile youth, tempting divine women; in the next, he is a giant boar, ruthlessly devouring his enemies and defiant of all authority. Sometimes he is a nukunuku-a-pua'a fish, fleeing the burning wrath of Pele's lava; and sometimes he is a kukui tree or a elump of 'uhaloa grass, hiding in the forest from his enemies. He has a deep affection for his family, but rarely stays home. Kamapua'a's growth from a small pig into a god is exemplified in eaeh chapter of this story of his genealogy, journeys, battles and sexual encounters. This story has eveything a modern day action packed movie would provide for entertainment. Kamapua'a's adventures are brought to life with vivid block prints by renowned printmaker Dietrich Varez has pioneered the effort to translate the oral traditions of Hawai'i into striking visual images. He lives and works in Volcano, on the island of Hawai'i. Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa presents an

insightful, thoroughly annotated translation of "He Mo'olelo Ka'ao o Kamapua'a","A Legendary Tradition of Kamapua'a." The translation comes from version of the Kamapua'a epie that appeared anonymously in the popular Hawaiian-language newspaper Ka Leo o ka Lāhui in 1891. Kame'eleihiwa identifies the legends rich metaphor, strong sexual themes and the timing of its publication - just before the overthrow of the Hawaiian rebellion against increasing western dominanee. Kame'eleihiwa is an associate professor at the Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. She is the author of a pathbreaking history of land tenure in Hawai'i prior to the 1848 Māhele, "Native Land and Foreign Desires: Pehea Lā E Pono Ai?", published by Bishop Museum Press. Kame'eleihiwa is known for her role in the Hawaiian sovereignty movement as a citizen of Ka Lāhui Hawai'i, and for her political efforts in the development of Hawaiian language immersion schools. "A Legendary Tradition of Kamapua'a" is available in softcover ($22.95) and hardcover ($39.95) in bookstores throughout the state. Bishop Museum's Shop Pacifica is offering the softcover at a special introductory price of $20 through December 25. Bishop Museum is located at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu. Call Shop Pacifica at (808) 848-4134 for more information. Booksellers, libraries and other institutions may order the book through Bishop Museum Press, (808) 8484135.