What is this book about?

This book compiles a diverse range of narratives passed down through generations of Hawaiians. It includes creation myths explaining the formation of the islands and the origins of the Hawaiian people, legends about powerful demigods and chiefs who governed ancient Hawaii, stories of significant battles and voyages, accounts of natural phenomena, and traditions surrounding important cultural practices like hula, chant (mele), and sacred ceremonies (hoʻomana). The book aims to preserve these stories, often drawing from historical documents, missionary records, and direct accounts from native informants, presenting them within the context of Hawaiian cosmology and societal values. It is less a strictly factual historical chronicle and more a treasury of the cultural imagination and memory of the Hawaiian people.