Cinderella in Hawaii

Group AA Hawaiian Cinderella StoryGroup B

A long time ago, when kings ruled the islands, there lived a young couple and their lovely daughter, Maile. She was as beautiful as the sunset and as fragile as an orchid. They were all very happy living on the island of Hawaii,

However, one day this all changed. While Maile’s father was out deep sea fishing one day, his boat capsized and he was lost at sea. Maile and her mother were very sad and lonely.

Maile’s mother knew it would be nearly impossible for her to work and raise Maile by herself. So her mother looked for a new husband and a father.

Finally, after 7 years, the mother met a haole, named Peter who was a widower. After a while they got married. Now Peter also had a daughter named Hilda who was about the same age as Maile. She was very plain looking and was tall and lanky.

Hilda was very jealous of Maile and convinced her father that Maile should do all the cooking, cleaning and housework.

So every day from sunup to sundown poor Maile worked and worked. She did all the work as well as wait on Hilda and her father.

Maile’s mother still mourned the loss of her first husband and eventually died of a broken heart.

One day when Hilda’s father went to Hilo he heard from the other villagers that King Kamehameha was planning a huge luau and celebration. The king was inviting all the young maidens from all the islands to come and meet his son the prince. The king hoped to find the perfect bride for his son the future king of Hawaii.

Peter wasted no time finding the best muumuu for his daughter to wear to the luau. Every young maiden was planning to attend and would not pass up this opportunity. Everyone, that is except for Maile, who did not have any fancy clothes to wear and couldn’t possibly attend the luau.

On the night of the event Maile sneaked out of the house, too saddened by the thought of not being able to attend the celebration. She went to the top of Mt. Kilauea, which was kapu. She sat and wept. Suddenly, the volcano began to erupt and out of the volcano came Pele the goddess of fire! At first Maile was frightened but when she looked up she saw a kind friendly face.

“My keiki, do not be afraid,” said Pele.” I have come to help you to attend the luau.”

“But I have nothing to wear and no way to get to the luau,” replied Maile.

“Go to the Black Sand Beach and find three pieces of lava rock and bring them back to me,” Pele instructed Maile.

Maile did as she was told and brought the rocks to Pele.

When she offered Pele the first rock, Maile torn, shabby, dress was immediately transformed into a flowing white muumuu. With the offering of the second rock, Maile looked and noticed that on her feet were the most beautiful sandals she had ever seen. When the third rock was offered to Pele, a beautiful flower covered coach arrived to take her to the luau.

Before the coach, transported Maile to the luau, Pele warned her that she must be home before sunup when the conch shell sounds.

When she arrived, all eyes turned to look at her. Nobody had ever seen anyone so beautiful and radiant. Everyone wondered who she could be! The prince was immediately taken in by her beauty and charm and invited her to dine with him at the royal table. Maile and the prince danced the night away.

All of a sudden, Maile heard the faint song of the conch shell and remembered what Pele had told her. Rushing out of the door and down the stairs she dropped one of her sandals. The prince tried to stop her but she managed to slip away.

The prince found Maile’s sandal and was determined to find her. The next day the king sent several of his men to check all the homes to find the owner of the sandal. Finally, on the seventh day they arrived at Maile’s home and she was able to fit her foot into the sandal. When she showed the men the other sandal they knew they had found the right young girl.

Maile was taken immediately back to the palace where she was reunited with the prince. The following week they were married at Iolani Palace and there they lived happily ever after for many years to come.

The End

Glossary

• haole - non islander usually referring to a caucasian

• kapu - forbidden

• keiki - child

• muumuu – long flowing dress worn by Hawaiian women