Hoku's haku

This is a Tahitian folk tale. It was the day before Christmas in Tahiti.  Narii, a young boy, was feeling sad because his parents could not afford to get him a gift.  All he wanted was a pair of shoes to wear to school.  On his way back from school, he met a family friend who asked him why he looked so unhappy.  With a sigh, Narii confided in him how he wished that Santa would bring him a gift.  And he also wished for snow.  Since the houses in Polynesia did not have a chimney, Narii thought that Santa did not stop by.  That night, in his sleep, Narii dreamed that Santa came to his house.  And when he woke up on Christmas morning, to his surprise, he saw a new bike under the Christmas tree!  And a pair of wooden shoes made by his friend! Narii could not believe the sight in front of him.  Tahitian gardenia flowers were scattered on the floor, making it look like snow! About the Tahitian gardenia: The Tahitian gardenia ...

Long ago, lived a princess named Hina in Polynesia.  Her father, a chief, instructed her to go and meet her future husband in the mountains.  Upon her arrival, she was faced with a giant eel named Puhi. Horrified, she fled.  Puhi said to her that even though she was running away from him, "one day, you will kiss me on the lips, drink my blood, and eat my heart."  Hina ordered to have the eel killed.  The eel's heart was wrapped in leaves and given to her to take to a wise person.  She set out on her journey with her female companions.  It was a hot day.  They walked by a river.  Her friends jumped in for a swim.  Hina could not resist the temptation and decided to join them.  A few moments after she put the package down, the earth suddenly opened up and swallowed the package.   A tall tree with large fronds and coconuts grew.  More coconut trees grew.  Later, Hina married a man named Teva.  Together, th...