Pio, the Bird Bride of Hälawa

From "Pio, the Bird Bride of Hälawa" from Folktales of Hawai‘i by Mary Kawena Püku‘i and Laura C.S. Green.

Retold here by Joelle

INTRODUCTION:

Do you enjoy legends with beautiful Hawaiian birds and adventure? How about legends with people trying to find love? Well, if you like these kinds of legends then listen to the legend of “Pio, the Bird Bride of Hälawa” and see what’s behind each turn with the suspense and love of a courageous Hawaiian man and a beautiful woman.

This legend talks about a Hawaiian man named Manukula who lives on Moloka‘i. Manukula, had the gift of communicating with birds so he was sent to an island off the coast of Moloka‘i called Moku Ho‘oniki. On Moku Ho‘oniki with his beautiful Hawaiian birds Manukula’s happiness was complete except for one thing. He was very lonely. So he hops into his canoe and paddles back to Moloka‘i to consult the chief. When he arrives he asks the chief if he could be married, so the chief asks the Kahuna for an answer. After consulting the Kahuna the Kahuna said, no. Manukula can’t be married to any women known to him. He will know where he has to go to find his bride in a dream. Surprised and puzzled Manukula returns to Moloka‘i in seek for his bride.

Have any idea how Manukula’s bride is going to be? A bird? A human? Or something else? Is he even going to find his bride? With the help of his little bird friend he finds on the way, and a dream guiding him, Manukula will have to go to high measures and obstacles to find his wife. To find out more about Manukula and his wife listen to the legend “Pio, the Bird Bride of Hälawa.”