Legends of Ma-ui—a demi god of Polynesia, and of his mother Hina

The collection presents Polynesian legends centered on the culture hero Maui and his mother Hina, gathering island narratives about supernatural feats such as hauling islands from the sea with a great fish-hook, lifting the sky, snaring the sun to lengthen the day, discovering fire, and other trickster exploits. Chapters compile variant local versions from Hawaiian and neighboring islands, interspersed with regional Hina stories, notes on pronunciation, and illustrative descriptions of landscapes and rituals. The tone is mythic and explanatory, arranging oral tradition into thematic episodes that trace creation, cultural practices, and quests for immortality.