No Punia me ka Lua Ula – Punia and the Lobster Cave (Hawaiian Version)

When Punia and his mother are left weakened by hunger, Punia takes it upon himself to hunt for ula (lobster) in a dangerous lobster cave surrounded by a gang of hungry sharks. This traditional Hawaiian story tells of the crafty young boy’s battle of wits with the deadly shark ali‘i, Kai‘ale‘ale, off the shores of Kohala, Hawai‘i.

This book is available both in bilingual and all-Hawaiian language versions.

William H. “Pila” Wilson is a professor with Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, and has been part of the effort to revitalize the Hawaiian language as a medium in education from its inception.

Brook Kapukuniahi Parker is a recognized and well-respected Native Hawaiian artist. Raised in Kahalu‘u, O‘ahu, Brook has illustrated numerous books and has an impressive list of clients including the University of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Board of Education, the Pacific American Foundation and Kamehameha Publishing.

The ‘Aha Punana Leo, Inc. was established in 1983 to revitalize the Hawaiian language, primarily through schools taught entirely in Hawaiian. In 1896, a law was passed banning the use of Hawaiian as a medium of education in Hawai‘i’s classrooms. After 90 years, this law was reversed in 1986. The ‘Aha Punana Leo has grown to include eleven preschools, three K-12 sites, a scholarship program and other educational programs that promote the growth of Hawaiian as a daily language. For more information, visit www.ahapunanaleo.org.