The Pueo

This story is about owls, or pueo. They are known to be the guardians of the Hawaiian people. A friend of mine named Kaleo told me about his experiences with pueo. One night, as he was driving on the freeway in Honolulu, a pueo flew in front of his windshield. He was so happy because this was the first time he had seen a pueo. And so he decided to follow it.He did follow it for several minutes as it guided him off the freeway and into a small neighborhood, then the pueo slowly flew off into the darkness. Kaleo returned to the freeway and continued driving home.

Kaleo lived on the back roads of Kahaluu where there were very few lights.When he reached his neighborhood, Kaleo realized that all lights were out, indeed there had been a blackout, making it impossible to see his way. Suddenly yet another pueo was standing right in front of his car. Amazed, something told Kaleo to follow the pueo. He did and the pueo guided him safely to his home, by flying close to the ground.

Once there, he was greeted by his girlfriend who was relieved that he was home as the blackout had terrified her. There had been reports of a five car accident on the freeway where Kaleo had been driving. Kaleo was shocked by the news. Later that night, he had phoned his mother to tell her what had happened. She told him that the pueo was an aumakua, or a family god. She was thankful that the pueo had been out that night and assured her son that the pueo will always be there to help and protect him.

This Hawaiian legend was told by Kohokuahiahi Tibayan from Oahu.

We at 9Isles thank Kohokuahiahi Tibayan for sharing this legend with us.