IMUA 8-92 - PCC 50th Anniversary

AULTURALLYSPCAKNGOIaui is a folk hero ofthePolynesians with islands,speciaJ landmarks and seasnamed after him. He is animportant figure in their m1,ths,legends, genealogies and chantsthe r;tories featuring himproviding srorytelling pleasure,irtistic inspirarion and moralexample.i\,laui's renown extendsover en area ofabout thirteenmillion square miles in thePaci6c. I-'le is described as neitherabsolutell eood or absoluteiybad. He is Iess than a god, butmore ofa man; therefore, he canperform marvelous feats but isflawed as a serious god wirhtrick-playing antics andcapriciousness.There is no one trueMaui. He is a combination of amain hero figure, probably a verysuccesslul navigator-captain orpriest-chief, and local heroeswhose names and deeds wereinterchanged with Maui's foreffect and presrige.The Mauitraditionsliken his feats to those ofThor,Hercules, Merlin, Ulysses andOsiris. They credit him withfishing up island chains,regulating the sun, controllingthe wind, stealing fire,performing feats of strength,altering Iandscapes, foundingdynasties, making usefulinventions and killing hbulousmonsters.Maui best personifiesPolynesia. His deeds havebridged the oceans beween theislands, his life has broughtundersranding of human virruesand vices, his mana has linkedthe ancient past to the changingpresent, and his playfulnesscontinues to uplift the daily livesofPolynesians.