Hawaiian Women

The legends of Kelea, Laie-i-ka-wai, and the Bird Maiden all use surf riding as a “catalyst for love and desire” (p.17). In “Kelea-nui-noho-‘ana-‘api’ api,” Kelea’s unmatched skill and grace on the wave are cause for both her marriages. In “The Story of Laie-i-ka-wai,” Laie-i-ka-wai uses surf riding as a test of merit, and the Bird Maiden in “Faithless Lover Is Turned to Stone” fell in love with Ka-hiki-lani for his determination to surf the difficult waves of Pau-malu Bay. The theme of surf riding as a catalyst for love and desire is obvious among these three legends, but after further reading one can’t help but see another more refined theme. These three heroines are a representation of Hawaiian women.

Each of the heroines’ actions, inactions, and decisions during their legends shape the general character of Hawaiian women. Qualities such as respect, independence, equality, and beauty are expressed throughout. The first heroine, Kelea was a chiefess who didn’t show weakness or protest to being wife-snatched. After being kept isolated for ten years, her husband, the king, respected her request to sightsee and understood that she couldn’t be caged on land forever. Upon witnessing Kelea’s grace while surf riding, her next suitor didn’t hesitate to offer the shirt off his back to cover her nakedness as she came ashore. The following heroine, Laie-i-ka-wai, makes the decision to marry the king only after seeing him. While surfing alongside the king, she questions his repeated riding of short waves. She chooses the true king in her eyes, Hala-aniani, for proving his ability to ride long waves rather than simply boasting of it. The last heroine, The Bird Maiden, lives in a cave without mention of any family. She falls in love with Ka-hiki lani, but he absentmindedly accepts a kiss from another woman. He turns to stone after being faithless and attempting to return to The Bird Maiden. The women of Hawaii are portrayed as being free to lead their lives according to their own standards and are respected for it.