Legends of Old Honolulu (Mythology) / Collected and Translated from the Hawaiian

by W. D. Westervelt

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.

These interesting legends, some of which are very old, furnish almost a history of the Hawaiian thought.—Int. Review of Missions, Edinburgh, 1915.

Those who are interested in the distant possessions of the U.S. will welcome this volume of “Legends of Old Honolulu” by W. D. Westervelt. They depict the typical native life of Hawaii. Other volumes are in press.—So. Atlantic Quarterly, Durham, N.C., Jan., 1916. [[288]]

The Hawaiian Legends have a quality of their own. The book is pleasing in design with many illustrations.—Dial, Chicago, Dec. 1, 1915.

Thanks to Mr. Westervelt the reading public has learned more of the natives of Hawaii and their folk-lore. The book is handsomely designed and illustrated.—Pittsburgh Chronicle, 1915.

The stories tell of the struggles, triumphs and wanderings of the people and while they are full of interest as merely stories, they have a special value to all who are concerned with the study of comparative folk-lore.—Bookseller, London, Aug. 10, 1915.

All the legends are fresh and charming and help to give glimpses into the workings of the thought and imagination of the simple dwellers in the Isles of the South Seas. Mr. Westervelt is to be congratulated on his new contribution to our better knowledge of the fast-dwindling people whom he knows and loves so well.—Herald, Glasgow, Sept. 23, 1915.