Polynesian Legends

How Maui Fished the Islands of Tonga

[The Tongan Tale of Maui; how he fished the islands of Tonga]

Maui heard of the wonders of the Tui Manu'a. The great King of Manu'a whose empire stretched from the islands of Manu'a in Sāmoa out to the islands of Kapingamarangi, to the shores of the eastern isles of the Cook Islands and throughout the surrounding islands. Known was this empire as the Manu'atele, the Great Manu'a. It's name under many languages, the Manuka, Manuatere, all referring to the same.

The great king was known also as a great creator of lands and islands that he added to his great empire. With his magical fishhook, the great fisherman pulled islands out of the depths of the seas.

Maui desired the hook of the Tui Manu'a and traveled to the Manu'a islands to find it.

When he arrived, the Tui Manu'a was absent. Only his wife, Tavatavai-Manuka, stayed at the home of the great king. There, Maui and the wife of the Tui Manu'a "went wrong".

Tavatavai-Manuka then told Maui the secret of the great hook of legend. She told him of the Manu'a's challenge. The challenge to pick the hook.

She told him that there was a house full of hooks. Some made of gorgeous materials. Some crafted in great designs. But the hook that held the power to fish islands from the sea floor was the the most inferior hook in appearance.

Maui left with this advice and soon met with the Tui Manu'a who was returning from a voyage.

The Tui Manu'a announced his trials to Maui, to pick amongst all the hooks in the house and try to choose the magical fish hook. Maui immediately chose the inferior hook, like he was advised. The Tui Manu'a was appalled that his challenge was completed and so quickly. He instantly suspected betrayal! And only his wife knew the secrets; she had betrayed him.

Her name, "Tavatavai manuka", became a saying that has lasted the generations as "someone who betrays secrets."

The Tui Manu'a, honoring his challenge, allowed Maui to wield his hook, as he chose correctly. This, under one condition, to name the lands he pulls out of the sea henceforth after his title, "Tonga-Fusi-Fonua," "Tonga, the land-puller."

Maui-kisikisi set out and pulled the islands out of the sea. With his promise to the great king in mind, he named the islands he pulled "Tonga", now known as Tongatapu or Tonga'eiki.