Lovers of legendary Folk-lore may feast upon this collection of traditional tales of the Hawaiian people and their origin as first told by the old Hawaiian and sometimes touched up by the Hawaiian story-teller. Mr. Westervelt, a resident of Honolulu, was president of the Hawaiian Historical Society for some time.—Boston Transcript, Aug. 11, 1915. [[213]]
All these legends have their own particular appeal and the book may be classed among the rare offerings of the year.—Buffalo Courier, Aug. 29, 1915.
He writes as one well versed in his subject and some of the legends which he presents are of great beauty and show a fine and delicate imagination in their authors.—London Times, Sept. 23, 1915.
Mr. Westervelt is a historian of recognized standing and has given much time to the study of the Hawaiian Folk-Lore.—The Friend, Sept., 1915.
His contribution to folk-lore is as important and valuable as his books are attractive and interesting to read.—San Francisco, Cal., Jan. 8, 1916.
These legends show no lack of imagination on the part of the Hawaiian. They are simple, filled with superstition and largely concerned with wonderful chiefs and animals with extraordinary powers.—Christian Science Monitor, Aug., 1915.
Mr. Westervelt has made a noteworthy contribution to legendary literature.—Bellman, Minn., Sept., 1915.
Some entertaining stories are told by Mr. W. D. Westervelt in his collection of “Legends of Old Honolulu.”—Spectator, London, Oct., 1915.
These legends will prove of unusual interest to the general reader and especially to the scholar, thinker and poet. They describe vividly and strongly the triumphs and wanderings of the people of Hawaii.—Overland Monthly, San Francisco, Oct., 1915.
Mr. Westervelt has long been an active observer of the aboriginal condition of Hawaiian life and the stories he has discovered have added not a little to our knowledge of the Polynesian race as it was before the dawn of history.—Scotsman, Sept., 1915.