Maui (Sculpture) Maui (Sculpture) View 1

The Hawaiian demigod Maui is famous for his many legendary feats of strength and bravery. His most famous achievement is believed to have taken place at Haleakala, "House of the Sun."� Our Native Hawaiian community is familiar with the oral history of a place called Kalapawili, "to lasso or snare the sun." It is here that Maui had battled the sun (La) after snaring its rays to slow its path. The result of the battle between Maui and La was a compromise which became the two seasons of Hawai'i. Ho'oilo (the wet season) came to belong to the sun and Kau (the dry season) came to belong to Maui. As stated in the oral traditions, this compromise made Hawaii livable for its native people by lengthening the day so that Maui's mother Hina could dry her kapa (a cloth made from plant bark).

This figure is a representation honoring Maui and his achievements. Native Hawaiians will always have a connection spiritually, culturally, and historically to Haleakala, reflected in the stewardship and interpretation of natural and cultural resources here in the national park.

This Maui figure was created by Sam Ka'ai, an artist, noted scholar, and teacher of Hawaiian traditional cultural practices throughout the Pacific. The figure is considered both an ethnographic object and a work of art.