Edna Cabcabin Moran
The Sleeping Giant: A Tale from Kaua'i
Beach House Publishing, 2006

Ages 7+

The Sleeping Giant is a well-known ka'ao that explains the origin of Nounou mountain in Kaua'i, notable for being shaped like a sleeping man. Ka'ao is the lighthearted variety of Hawaiian folktale, intended to entertain with fanciful stories and outlandish embellishments, as opposed to mo'olelo, which are "legends with deep cultural meaning based on historic myth". Lighthearted and fun, this rendition by author/illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran is filled with cultural details that will entice any reader to learn more about the magic of Hawaii and its people — and send young ones an important 'believe in yourself' message.

One day a fisherman from the village of Kapa'a finds a weeping fish in his net and realizes he has caught an akua, a spirit of a divine, enchanted nature. A young girl suggests the crying fish must be hungry, but is promptly dismissed as just a "silly girl" by the proud fisherman. In no time, the entire village has gathered around to help feed the hungry fish — it seems the girl was right, after all — and the fish soon starts growing: as long as five houses, then ten houses... until sprouting legs and throwing off his fish scales, becoming a giant young man who continues to crave poi (the starchy Hawaiian staple made from the kalo, or taro, plant).

Eventually, a kahuna (a Hawaiian wise man) is summoned to help, suggesting that the giant's hunger is of a different nature: he is seeking a lost part of himself, that can only be restored with an oli chant — and it's up to the villagers to discover who can do the chanting. The process of finding the right person to perform the task teaches the proud fisherman a lesson in humility and the nature of true wisdom. The chanter's ensuing melody puts the giant to sleep so soundly that he becomes the famous mountain of Nounou, in Kaua'i.

Cabcabin's story is fanciful enough to delight even very young children, who may also be lulled by the rhythms of the 'oli' to dream about the lush Kaua'i landscape her rich illustrations depict. Readers of all ages will appreciate this fun and simple folktale (not to mention the glossary and pronunciation guide at the back) and will definitely come away having learned something about Hawaii's powerful magic.

Abigail Sawyer
January 2007