Legends of Maui (1910) is a collection of Hawaiian folktales and myths anthologized by W. D. Westervelt. Paying homage to the importance of Maui across Polynesian cultures, Westervelt introduces his groundbreaking collection of legends on Hawaii's founding deity.

Westervelt's collection connects the origin story of Hawaii to the traditions of other Polynesian cultures, providing an invaluable resource for understanding the historical and geographical scope of Hawaiian culture. Drawing on the work of David Malo, Samuel Kamakau, and Abraham Fornander, Westervelt, originally from Ohio, became a leading authority on the Hawaiian Islands, publishing extensively on their legends, religious beliefs, and folk tales.

With a beautifully designed cover and professionally designed manuscript, this edition of W. D. Westervelt's Legends of Maui is a classic of Hawaiian literature reimagined for modern readers.

Westervelt, W. D.

W. D. Westervelt (1849-1939) was an American minister, historian, and folklorist specializing in Hawaiian mythology. Born in Oberlin, Ohio, he obtained his B.A. from Oberlin College before completing his B.D. from Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1874. In 1899, after serving as a pastor in Ohio and Colorado, Westervelt settled in Hawaii, where he married Caroline Dickinson Castle. A member of the Hawaiian Historical Society, he served as secretary, treasurer, and president, gaining a reputation as a leading scholar of Hawaiian folklore. Throughout his career, he wrote numerous articles and several anthologies on Hawaiian myths and legends, which continue to be recognized as some of the most reliable sources on the subject written in English.