Description:
In Hawaiian religion, Pele, goddess of volcanoes, is credited with controlling the lava flows of Kilauea. Known for her strength and enviousness, Pele was descended from Papa and Wakea, the ancient Earth Mother and Sky Father. To illustrate her importance, the author includes stories from history and notes on geology. Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes is a book by W. D. Westervelt.
Brief description:
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.