Lohiʻau is one of only 26 original illustrations commissioned for the landmark publication, The Epic Tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, as told by Hoʻoulumāhiehie, translated by M. Puakea Nogelmeier and illustrated by Solomon Enos.

“Lohiʻau (Languid) is also known as Lohiʻauipo (Lohiʻau-the-lover) “from the Hala groves of Naue by the sea. “ Kalohi (The-slow-one) is another name for him. He is the ruling chief of Kauaʻi, an expert in dance and chant, and the handsomest man in the island chain. Lohiʻau was Pele’s lover, eventually returning with Hiʻiaka to Kauaʻi, where they lived together.” (435)

Media: Graphite on paper
Dimensions: 11” (h) x 14” (w) unframed
Year: 2006

The Epic Tale of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele is a grand tale about the youngest sister of the volcano goddess - the great quest through the island chain to bring Pele's lover back to their crater home in Kīlauea Caldera.  This saga was written by Hoʻoulumāhiehie as a serial account in the newspaper Ka Naʻi Aupuni in 1905-1906.  Translated by Puakea Nogelmeier in collaboration with Sahoa Fukushima and Kamaoli Kuwada, Hiʻiakaikapoliopele was the first product of the translation training established through Awaiaulu: Hawaiian Literature Project.