The legend of the coconut tree.

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, they had 2 daughters.  One day, a severe drought occurred.  People were starving.  Hina's health was deteriorating.  The only tree that was alive around their house was the coconut tree.  Desperate, Teva picked one up and husked it.  The coconut had 3 roundish markings on it: 2 were right next to each other and identical; the one below them was perfectly round.  Teva poked through it and presented the coconut to Hina.  She grabbed the coconut and brought it to her lips.  As she was quenching her thirst, she could hear Puhi's words the day she ran away from him: "One day, you will kiss me, drink my blood, and eat my heart."

For Pacific islanders, the coconut tree gives life.

• Its trunk is used for building houses and furniture.  In the past, it was used to make canoes.
• The fronds are used to make roofs, house partitions, and decoration.
• The husk of the coconut can be used as brushes.  It is an excellent  mosquito repellent when burned.  
• The shell is used to make dishes, decorations, jewelry, and even as part of a costume for female dancers.
• The meat is nutritious and refreshing.  When grated and squeezed with a cheesecloth, it gives this out-of-this-world milk!  
• The juice is healthily delicious!
• The heart is perfectly shaped and tasty!