One of the great epics of Hawaiian mythology is the story of Pele, goddess of Hawai`i's volcanoes, and her youngest sister, Hi`iakaikapoliopele. Pele was driven out of her homeland after a quarrel with her older sister Namakaokaha`i, a sea goddess. She readied her great double-hulled voyaging canoe and left Kahiki, sailing to Hawai`i. She was accompanied by a number of relatives, including her youngest sister, Hi`iaka, the heroine of our story. None of the islands seemed to suit Pele until she reached Hawai`i, the largest island. In the upland region, Pele settled into the fiery lava pit of Kilauea, and our story begins there. While in a dream state, Pele followed the sounds of hula pahu drums and traveled to Kaua`i, meeting the handsome young chief, Lohi`au. Pele asked her youngest sister, Hi`iaka, to undertake a journey to fetch her new lover. Hi`iaka, with her companions, encountered many adventures on her journey; battling reptilian mo¿o, healing people in need, making new friends and traveling throughout the islands. This is a passionate story of love, healing, betrayal, and reconciliation, culminating in the reunion of parted lovers, lavishly illustrated by one of Hawai`i¿s most celebrated artists, Dietrich Varez.