HONOLULU – Bishop Museum Press is about to let Hawai‘i ’s keiki in on “The Legend of Kuamo‘o Mo‘okini and Hamumu, The Great Whale.” For over 1500 years, this historic story has been ancestral secrecy. Now the legend of how the Mo‘okini Heiau, located on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, was constructed will soon be available to readers. Priced at $12.95, the hardcover book will be available at Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica and bookstores statewide starting December 15, 2004.

Known as one of the largest Hawaiian temples, Mo‘okini Heiau has a lively history of a legendary whale rider priest named Kuamo‘o who journeyed to the Big Island to create this sacred land. Authored by Kahuna Leimomi Mo‘okini Lum and illustrated by Kathleen Kam, the story is told in a wonderful 24-page children’s book providing a unique opportunity for Hawai‘i ’s keiki to better understand traditional Hawaiian legends and protocol for the islands numerous heiau sites.

Founded in 1892, Bishop Museum Press is the oldest continuous publisher of books in Hawai‘i, and one of the first scholarly presses in the Western Hemisphere. Proceeds from sales of Bishop Museum Press books further the Museum’s efforts in research, education and collections care. Books can be purchased at Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica, by phone (808) 848-4159, fax (808) 847-8249, e-mail shop@bishopmuseum.org, or by filling out an order form at www.bishopmuseum.org/press. Bishop Museum Association Members receive a 20% discount on all Bishop Museum Press books.

A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years; special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Association members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.