The KUMULIPO
An Hawaiian Creation Myth

The Kumulipo belongs to Na Kanaka
This is your heritage

Queen Lili`uokalani stated in her Introduction to the KUMULIPO, ... "the translation of which pleasantly employed me while imprisoned by the present rulers of Hawai`i ... being nothing less than the genealogy in remote times of the late King Kalakaua, who had it printed in the original Hawaiian language, -- and myself."

"This is the very chant which was sung by Puou, the High Priest of our ancient worship, to Captain Cook ..." "... and as it is the only record of its kind in existence it seemed to me worthy of preservation in convenient form."

Lili`uokalani

"It is hoped that this will be a useful tool for modern Hawaiians attempting to understand, preserve, and revitalize Hawaiian culture ... Kalakaua, interested in providing a more substantial and dignified presence than the election afforded him, used the Kumulipo genealogy to establish himself as a descendant of the ancient chiefs of Hawai`i ... To ensure a Kalakaua dynasty, he named Lili`uokalani as his heir."

"It was during the period between the end of the Hawaiian monarchy and the annexation of Hawai`i by the United States that Lili'uokalani finished the translation and had the KUMULIPO published. Its publication was both personal pleasure and an act of policy by Lili`uokalani. It refuted the claim popular as a proannexation argument that Hawaiians were ignorant savages and had had no culture prior to the arrival of Captain Cook. The culture evoked in the rich and haunting lyrics of the Kumulipo is as viable today as when first published ... The study of history CAN lead to action, not just reverie."

Kimo Campbell
Publisher, Pueo Press 1997