Legends from the Pacific: Book 1 E-Book

Kamuela Kaneshiro

• Herausgeber: WS
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Serie: Legends from the Pacific
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 198

Beschreibung

Everyone’s heard of Zeus, but did you know Hawaii has a goddess of fire named Pele? Uncover astonishing myths and stories from across the Pacific.

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the terrifying Wendigo? How about tales from the Philippines of their very own shape-shifting vampire? Want to shiver with the certainty that Māori forest spirits lurk within the woods? Join award winning podcaster and researcher Kamuela Kaneshiro as he takes you on a thrilling trip through Asia, South America, and other fascinating cultures whose shores touch the planet’s largest ocean. And as you marvel at this captivating assortment of deities, monsters, and historical backdrops, you’re sure to have your imagination sparked by the wonders of the world.

In Legends from the Pacific, you’ll discover:

Ninety mesmerizing accounts featuring characters that will leave you quivering, intrigued, and appreciative of distant lands

The deadly Wendigo from North America’s indigenous folktales and how it ties into early settlers

Why you’ll think twice before answering a quiet call after learning about Japan’s girl in the well

How a Samoan princess turned into a goddess of fertility and a protector of bats

The power of the Chinese New Year to drive off demons, Australia’s creepy water spirit, striking stories from Micronesia, Vietnam, and Peru, and much, much more!

In this eye-opening compilation of mythologies, Kamuela Kaneshiro respectfully recognizes the traditions and heritage that have influenced history and storytelling around the world. And as you are entertained and educated by his well-researched revelations, you’ll devour each wonder-filled page for both famous and lesser-known fables that populate our modern culture.

Based on the podcast enjoyed throughout the world, Legends from the Pacific: Book 1 is the tantalizing first volume in the Legends from the Pacific mythology series. If you like exploring obscure parables, finding real-life connections to notable folk tales, and embracing humanity’s origins, then you’ll love Kamuela Kaneshiro’s magical collection.

Buy Legends from the Pacific to enjoy these cultural treasures today!

Leseprobe

Legends from the Pacific: Book 1 - Asian & Pacific Islander folklore and cultural history

Legends from the Pacific, Volume 1

Kamuela Kaneshiro

Published by Kamuela Kaneshiro, 2023.

COPYRIGHT

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

LEGENDS FROM THE PACIFIC: BOOK 1 - ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER FOLKLORE AND CULTURAL HISTORY

First edition. October 25, 2022.

Copyright © 2022 Legends from the Pacific LLC.

ISBN: 978-1732059726

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

ALOHA

INTRODUCTION | “I felt Asian and Pacific cultural stories were getting the bad 80s movie treatment, and no one knew or cared.”

ELDERS VS SCHOLARS

PELE - HAWAIʻI’S GODDESS OF FIRE

DR. GLEN GRANT - HAWAIʻI’S GHOST MAN

THE MONSTER AND DEMON OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

BUNYIP - THE ABORIGINAL WATER DEVIL

LIMA’S LA CASA MATUSITA

PASADENA’S COLORADO STREET BRIDGE

RANGDA - BALI’S QUEEN OF DEMONS

BABA YAGA - RUSSIA’S BOGEYMAN

EL CALEUCHE - CHILOTE’S PHANTOM SHIP

OKIKU - THE JAPANESE SERVANT GIRL

KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT

HAWAIʻI’S NIGHTMARCHERS

KA‘AHUMANU - HAWAIʻI’S AMBITIOUS QUEEN

DUKE KAHANAMOKU

THE ASWANG – THE PHILIPPINES SHAPESHIFTING VAMPIRE

THE MĀORI PATUPAIAREHE

WASHINGTON STATE’S WALKER-AMES HOUSE

VANUATU’S MYSTERY ISLAND

AMAROK - THE GREAT WOLF SPIRIT

SAMOA’S GODDESS OF WAR—NAFANUA

MALAYSIA’S OILY MAN—ORANG MINYAK

BANGKOK’S GHOST WIFE—MAE NAK

CHILE’S AQUATIC TIGER MONSTER—EL CUERO

GHOST MONTH

JAPAN’S OBON FESTIVAL

THE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL

CHINA’S GRIM REAPERS

THE MELANESIAN FEMALE GHOSTBUSTER—RIINA

PRINCESS LEUTOGI - SOMOA’S GODDESS OF BATS AND FERTILITY

THE PACIFIC MOON GODDESS—HINA

ADI-MAILAGU—FIJI’S DARK SKY GODDESS

JAPAN’S FACELESS GHOST—THE NOPPERA-BŌ

HAWAIʻI’S FAMOUS HAUNTED HOUSE

HAWAIʻI’S MISSING DIVER

HAWAIʻI’S GREEN LADY OF WAHIAWA

HAWAIʻI’S GOD OF FERTILITY—LONO

THE SUN-EATING DEMON

JAPAN’S SNOW WOMAN—YUKI-ONNA

THE ARCTIC QALUPALIK

THE AURORA AUSTRALIS & BOREALIS

THE HAWAIIAN SNOW GODDESS—POLIʻAHU

THE WENDIGO

THE BUTTERFLY LOVERS

ʻŌHIʻA & LEHUA

SAMOA’S JEALOUS DEMON—TEINE SA

THE SLAVIC SORCERER—KOSCHEI

PELE’S SISTER THE SEA GODDESS—NAMAKA

EXTRA STORIES

ALSO BY KAMUELA KANESHIRO

KICKSTARTER BACKERS

About the Author

ALOHA

THIS BOOK CONTAINS variations of the original stories from episode 1–50 of the “Legends from the Pacific” podcast. While time, different cultures, and contradicting retellings altered many of these tales. My team and I meticulously researched these legends. I also treated these fables and their cultures with the utmost respect while writing our original stories.

I hope you and future generations enjoy our original stories, and my writing is close to the version share centuries ago.

Kamuela Kaneshiro

To hear our latest stories, listen to:

“Legends from the Pacific”

The Asian & Pacific folklore & cultural history podcast.

www.LegendsFromThePacific.com

INTRODUCTION

“I felt Asian and Pacific cultural stories were getting the bad 80s movie treatment, and no one knew or cared.”

WHEN I BEGAN WORKING on film and television projects in the mid-90s, cast and crew asked me to share stories about my culture. I shared childhood stories, personal experiences, and discovered some of Hawaii’s locals and Native Hawaiians knew little about Hawaii’s culture and past.

After many paranormal experiences and investigations, I met historian and storyteller Dr. Glen Grant. I became a regular guest on his weekly radio show, and he referred to me as the embodiment of his “Chicken Skin” stories. We formed a society that investigated Hawaii’s paranormal disturbances, while others conducted Dr. Grant’s tours.

In November 2004, before podcasting was a term, my friend Kenneth “Kento” Komoto, a professional comedian, and I started “Off the Air’s: Geek Nation”, a weekly 3-hour geek culture show. Geek Nation became a hybrid AM radio/internet show. After a few years, Kento understandably got burned out, and we stopped Geek Nation. But I knew I’d return to podcasting.

While productions continued asking about my culture. Movies, shows, streaming programs and the internet reworked cultural tales. These re-imaginings were entertaining, but many viewers weren’t aware of the original story, or knew how different the reinterpretations were.

Some renditions were like bad 80s films that were so loosely based on popular intellectual property, their films only shared the main character’s name, and sometimes the property’s title.

I felt Asian and Pacific cultural stories were getting the bad 80s movie treatment, and no one knew or cared.

However, bad 80s movies were not the only culprits. Time-blurred memories and storytellers, who accidentally or deliberately stripped a tale’s elements, created fractured shadows of stories.

In a crusade, some likened to creating the Asian and Pacific version of Grimms’ Fairy Tales, I researched these stories to restore them, and in February 2020, launched the podcast “Legends from the Pacific” to share my findings, promote cultural history, and awareness.

While I understand it is impossible to reconstruct all a story’s details. My goal is to provide a completed version of these stories close to their original telling, and hope they are cherished instead of lost to time.

Mahalo nui loa for your support in helping us spread cultural awareness,

Kamuela Kaneshiro.

ELDERS VS SCHOLARS

THE HAWAIIAN OKINA (ʻ) looks like a backward inverted apostrophe, but it is a consonant, treated as a pause like a music rest. The okina changes Hawaiian words, and while dictionaries and other reference material suggested certain words included an okina, Hawaiian elders disagreed.

This book follows the Hawaiian elder’s recommended spellings.

PELE - HAWAIʻI’S GODDESS OF FIRE

PELE IS ONE OF HAWAIʻI’S most active deities. It’s customary to offer food, tobacco, and gin to gain her favor. She appears as a beautiful young maiden or an old woman asking for help, usually before her beloved Kilauea volcano erupts. Whoever helps Pele is spared from her devastating lava.

Those who take her volcanic rocks are plagued by misfortune. This is Pele’s curse, which is lifted when the souvenirs are returned. People who ignored the curse often mail their rocks back to the Big Island along with an apology letter detailing their misfortune and where to replace the rock.

Pele wanders through all the islands, sometimes with her big white dog. They frequent Oahu’s Pali Highway, where it is forbidden to travel with pork. Motorists with pork have experienced misfortune and car problems. When the pork is removed, their vehicles resume functioning.

Pele’s sister is the ocean goddess Namaka. Before Pele was a goddess, she lived in Tahiti and seduced Namaka’s husband. When Namaka found out, Pele fled Tahiti and created land to protect her from Namaka. This is one story of how the Hawaiian Islands were created.

ORIGINS

Inspired by folklore

In the beginning, there was the Pacific Ocean. A canoe broke the horizon, piloted by Pele, a beautiful Polynesian maiden who dominated the waves until she felt safe to stop. Pele used a digging stick given to her by her uncle to make a pit of molten lava that was cooled by the sea and became an island.

The ocean goddess’s eyes narrowed as she towered over Pele, her sister who seduced her husband. The goddess defeated Pele, extinguished the firepit, and left her sister for dead.

But the hotheaded maiden forced her battered body into her canoe and sailed east. The sisters fought several more times on Pele’s new islands until the goddess killed her adulterous sister.

Pele’s soul flickered, and she became the goddess of fire.

During a present-day Hawaiian luau, a tourist looking for the smoking section encountered a Polynesian maiden. He offered her a cigarette. She accepted and lit it with fire from her finger.

PELE AND THE SUGARCANE FIELD

Inspired by folklore

One night while driving through Oahu’s North Shore sugarcane fields, a man hit a woman in a white dress. He slammed on his brakes. Her folded body remained on the hood of his car. As he tried figuring out where the woman came from, she lifted her head, smiled, and floated into the sky.

PELE’S DOG AT THE PALI

Inspired by collected testimony

When I was younger, my friends and I were in my friend’s truck going over the Pali from town to Kailua. I was riding in the bed with others, and the clouds were low like fog, which was strange because Hawaiʻi doesn’t really have fog.

While the fog streamed around the truck, I noticed a white cloud in the middle of the road. The cloud was following us. I thought it was the moon or light reflected from the truck. But the cloud was getting bigger and closer. Then I realized the cloud was a big white dog.

My friends also saw it.

“Pele’s dog is chasing us,” a friend yelled to the others riding inside.

The driver gunned it. We pulled away as the dog returned to the fog.

We were scared because we saw Pele’s dog, so she must be around. But we didn’t see her. 

PELE THE HITCHHIKING GHOST

Inspired by collected testimony

Decades ago, on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, a man drove home from his graveyard shift. The inconsistent hours and taking the kids to school or whatever they were doing blurred his days. He rubbed his face and struggled, keeping his tired eyes focused on the desolate road.

His unbuckled seat belt clicked against the door.

Smoking kept him awake, but his two remaining cigarettes wouldn’t cover the trip. He should have fixed his broken radio, but that money went to his family. Even if he had a radio, it’d probably just catch static. But static might keep him awake.

Something along the road caught his eye. An old Hawaiian lady hobbled on the shoulder. Her white dress reflected his headlights as he pulled over.

“Eh, you need a ride?”

“Yes,” the woman said. “Mahalo.”

He unlocked the passenger door. But the woman went to the back door. He unlocked it, and she opened it with a smile.

“You can sit in the front,” he said.

“No, I’m fine.” The woman settled in and closed the door.

He nodded and pulled back onto the grim road.

He offered her a cigarette. She accepted it, and he took his last one. He offered her his lighter.

She waved it away. “ʻAʻole pilikia. No problem.” The lady held her finger to the cigarette. A flame appeared on her fingertip, and she lit her cigarette.

The man lit his. I must be tired.

The lady’s silhouette dominated his rearview mirror. Her cigarette illuminated her face when she took a draw. Then the darkness reclaimed her. 

He cleared his throat. “Where do you live? I don’t mind taking you home.”

Smoke loomed around her.

His unbuckled seat belt clicked against his door.

She faced Kilauea, silhouetted against the predawn horizon. “The volcano looks strange.”

He chuckled. “The volcano is dormant. It hasn’t erupted in years.”

“The volcano looks strange.” She faced the rearview mirror. “You need to place ti leaves around your house. Do that. Okay?”

“Okay? Hey, what was your name?”

The shadows claimed the lady and her glowing cigarette.

The man slammed the brakes. His back seat was empty. He left his car and scanned the deserted road. “Pele,” he whispered. He jumped back into his car and sped home. His family didn’t believe him and worried he needed to sleep more.

Days later, Kilauea volcano erupted. Lava rivers destroyed roads, reclaimed the developed land, and threatened residential areas. Many evacuated, some stayed and cried while lava consumed their homes. Amid this, a lava stream split in half and avoided a house surrounded by Hawaiian ti leaves.

DR. GLEN GRANT - HAWAIʻI’S GHOST MAN

DR. GLEN GRANT WAS from Los Angeles, California. His father, Cliff Grant, worked on special effects for many famous Hollywood films. Dr. Grant smiled when telling me about his dad and times when he and his siblings were allowed to play with the flying monkey masks used in the Wizard of Oz. Dr. Grant proudly displayed a miniature cannon used in 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and talked about his brother Robby the Robot from the film The Forbidden Planet, who’d make cameos in other science fiction productions.

Dr. Grant received his master’s in education from the University of Hawaiʻi and a doctorate in American studies. He taught at UH and the Hawaiʻi Tokai International University, where he also served as vice chancellor.

Dr. Grant collected Hawaiian and Asian ghost stories and took people on ghost tours. His company was called Chicken Skin, which is Hawaiian pidgin, or local slang, for goose bumps. He wrote several books, including The Obake Files, and had a weekly radio show, Chicken Skin Radio.

Because of Dr. Grant’s passion for Hawaiʻi’s supernatural stories, people called him the Obake man. Obake is Japanese slang for ghost. He opened a coffee shop, the Haunt, where he began his tours. But while Dr. Grant took people on bus tours to haunted areas or guided them through graveyards in the middle of the night, he’d be the first to admit that he was the world’s biggest chicken and he hated when people on his tour would see something behind him.

He’d see the group’s eyes widen and wait for him to finish his story.

One would point behind him. “Dr. Grant, what’s that?”

Dr. Grant dreaded turning around, and if something was there, he’d be the first to run for their bus.

Dr. Grant passed from cancer. His business partner, Jill, experienced a lot of challenges. I helped her with the Haunt and was honored to host Mōʻiliʻili’s annual storytelling night, which Dr. Grant normally did.

Jill closed the Haunt after a falling-out with associates, and others registered the Chicken Skin business name.

Jill, the ghost hunters, and I miss Dr. Grant. We conducted a séance but got nothing. We still hope he is at peace.

DR. GRANT AND THE GRAVEYARD

Inspired by a true story

On a clear night, Dr. Grant took a few people to a graveyard. As the moon emerged from the clouds, a shimmering, elongated apparition drifted between the graves. Everyone screamed, piled into their car, and sped to town.

They calmed down and talked about how something seemed off about what they’d seen. They returned to the graveyard, found the shimmering form, and approached. It was water from a sprinkler, reflecting the streetlights or moon.

DR. GRANT, THE GHOST HUNTERS, AND I

Based on true events

The coffee shop’s creaking door was something from a haunted house. It announced my arrival to people at the tables on the left, while others pursued the bookshelves on my right. A posted menu advertised drinks, snacks, and this Saturday’s dinner and a movie. Beside it, Dr. Glen Grant leaned on the countertop, waved to me, and resumed listening to his customer.

I closed the door as the customer ended his story.

Dr. Grant stood. “See, what I’d like to do is make a group. A ghost hunter society people and businesses could call to investigate their disturbances.”

I approached. “If you create such a group, I’ll be the first to sign up."

He smiled. “Neat.”

We talked, and he was impressed I was a magician with a background in film, a member of the American Society for Psychical Research, and that I conducted my own investigations.

I became a regular on his radio show, where he introduced me as the embodiment of the Obake Files. Obake is Japanese slang for ghost.

We formed the Hawaiʻi Ghost Hunters Society and helped residents and businesses with their paranormal problems. The Society unofficially met at Dr. Grant’s Haunt during its Saturday-night dinner-and-a-movie event.

Dr. Grant had others do his bus tours, so we’d watch the tour leave, discuss our next investigation over dinner, and enjoy an old movie. We had about two dozen members. I ensured some were skeptics, but toward the end, everyone had a few unexplainable incidents.

During our official society meetings, Dr. Grant briefed us about our case and included the location’s history. He joined us a couple of times but avoided fieldwork.

When Dr. Grant passed from cancer, we had a few cases, but things were difficult because people couldn’t contact us, and we spent a lot of time researching locations. The Society was disbanded.

Dr. Grant once asked if I’d be interested in doing tours for him. I was honored but politely declined, and he understood that someone needed to investigate Hawaiʻi’s paranormal stories and experiences.

DR. GRANT AND THE PALI

Inspired by a true story

It had been a while since Dr. Grant did his Pali Highway bus tour, but he soldiered on with his stories. As the bus pulled onto Pali Road, Dr. Grant’s guests were leaning forward in their seats, listening to his story.

Banging ran across the top of the bus.

Dr. Grant screamed and dove into his front seat.

The banging was low-hanging vines thumping along the bus.

THE MONSTER AND DEMON OF CHINESE NEW YEAR

THE MONSTER

Inspired by folklore

The expiring day’s long shadows added fear to the panicked villagers. They were supposed to be in the mountains by now. Urgency hastened their packing, and fussy children worked on everyone’s last nerve.

An old beggar entered the chaotic village, but his request for food and water fell on deaf ears.

The village elder took in the beggar and fed him.

“Why is everyone packing?” the beggar said. “It’s the new year. They should be celebrating.”

The elder lowered her head. “The night’s new moon brings a monster from the sea. It attacks our village and devours anyone it grabs.”

The beggar nodded. “For the hospitality you’ve shown me, I’ll rid you of your monster.”

“No, I didn’t ask for this. It will kill you. Join us in the mountains.”

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine. You be with your people. I must stay and prepare.”

The night brought the new moon and the monster from the sea. The creature scurried into the village. A dwelling adorned in red paper made the monster rear back.

The beggar emerged from the dwelling, dressed in red, making as much noise as he could.

The ruckus assaulted the monster’s senses. It thrashed and struggled to flee.

The beggar lit fireworks.

The explosions startled the creature, and it scrambled away.

The beggar laughed as he lost sight of the monster. The villagers returned and thanked him for saving their village.

Ever since, on Chinese New Year, people wear red, hang red paper on houses, and light fireworks to ensure a good year.

THE LANTERN FESTIVAL

Inspired by folklore

In times past, a sacred bird materialized in our realm. Hunters, unaware the bird was from the heavenly plane, killed it. This infuriated the Jade Emperor, who ordered the gods to burn our realm.

But the gods didn’t agree with the Jade Emperor and told the villagers of his plan.

People hung red lanterns to trick the Jade Emperor into believing their villages were on fire.

When the Jade Emperor looked down on our realm, he believed the red lanterns were flames consuming everything, and he was pleased.

THE CHINESE ZODIAC

Inspired by folklore

The Jade Emperor created a long-distance race for the world’s animals. The first twelve to finish would be honored with its own year.

The rat was clever and tricked his friend the cat into thinking the race was the next day. The cat napped to prepare for the race while the rat began the contest.

The rat encountered an ox who started early because he knew the journey would be difficult.

The rat waved to the ox. “Your legs are more suited for this race than mine. Can you please carry me?”

The ox agreed.

The rat rode the ox, motivating him to go faster.

As they neared the finish line, the rat jumped from the ox and claimed first place.

The ox took second.

The cat missed the race.

This is why cats are not in the Chinese zodiac and are enemies of rats.

THE DEMON

Inspired by folklore

Parents stay up at night to protect their children from a demon. If the demon taps a child’s head three times, a fever will develop. If the child survives, they will suffer mental trauma.

A mother illuminated her son’s cold room with a fresh candle. She smiled as she passed her husband sitting in a chair. She closed the window beside her son’s bed and placed the fragile light on the stand beside him.

Their son fidgeted in bed.

His father suggested their son needed something to tire him and gave him several shiny coins.

His mother provided red paper and told him to wrap the coins, open them, and repeat the process.

The candle burned low. Drowsiness tugged the parents’ heads.

The father woke.

His son slept in bed.

Embarrassment burned the father’s cheeks. I should be a better father and stay awake for my son.

Something moved beyond the open window. It was the demon, and it peeked into the room.

The father tried to stand, but he was paralyzed.

The demon blew out the candle. Darkness filled the room.

The father’s eyes adjusted.

The demon’s tail flicked as its wings filled the room. Its yellow eyes and white teeth pierced the dark as it approached the sleeping child.

The father struggled against his unresponsive body.

The demon licked its lips and raised a fist over the child.

The father tried screaming. Silence remained.

The demon’s knuckle tapped the boy’s head three times.

The father’s heart sank. Tears welled up. But his paralysis was broken. He lunged at the demon.

The fiend laughed and leaped for the window.

Its tail slid across the father’s palm. His fingers curled around the tail.

His son coughed.

He faced his child. The demon’s tail slipped through his fingers, and the fiend flew out the window.

The father cradled his son. He burned with a fever.

The father cried, begging his son to fight the sickness.

A hand grabbed the father’s shoulder. He woke to his smiling wife.

The room was lit. The window was closed, and his son slept in bed beside a low-burning candle.

“You had a nightmare,” his wife said. “Go to sleep. You had a long day and have to work in the morning.”

He shook his head. “I just need to wash my face.”

The mother checked on their son. The dissolving candle extinguished. The red paper beside her child’s head glowed in the faint ambient light, and the coins reflected her image.

The room brightened. Her husband entered with a lantern and replaced the candles.

Something fell in the outer room.

The parents exchanged glances and left.

The demon opened the window, blew out the fresh candle, and approached the sleeping child.

The parents’ footsteps approached.

The demon made a fist, but the red paper beside the child scared it, and the coins reflected the monster’s image.

The fiend recoiled.

Mother and father rushed into the room.

The demon cowered in the corner, hissed, then flew out the window.

Ever since, it has been customary to give children money wrapped in red paper to keep demons away and encourage good luck.

BUNYIP - THE ABORIGINAL WATER DEVIL

BUNYIP MEANS devil or evil spirit, but these monsters are also called dongu, yaa-loo, and wowee-wowee. They appear as a seal, hippopotamus, or reptile, with claws and feathers. They have magical abilities and dwell in watering holes, eating animals or humans who get too close.

Aboriginals believe the bunyip was a man from their time of creation who ate his totem animal, breaking the Rainbow Serpent’s law.

THE OUTLINE

Inspired by folklore