[Transcript]

The Legend of Maui and the Sun

According to Hawaiian legend, the mighty god Maui not only fished up the Hawaiian Islands with his magic hook, but he also captured the sun. Whoa! Captured the sun! How did that happen? Well, just sit back and let me tell you the story. Legend has it that one day as Maui was preparing to go fishing, he noticed his mother Hina was very sad, unlike her normal cheerful self. 

Curious and concerned, Maui asked his mother why she was so sad. Hina explained that her clothes wouldn't dry because the days were just too short. Hina also told Maui that people were complaining that their crops weren't growing fast enough. 

Maui's Declaration and Plan

Maui declared that he would force the sun to travel more slowly across the sky. Hina warned Maui to be careful and not anger the sun, because the ruler of the day is a powerful god. Devising a clever plan, Maui cut down numerous coconut trees and braided strong ropes out of the fiber. 

Then, in the dark of night, he traveled to the top of Haleakala, where the sun made his home. There, Maui sat upon the crater rim and waited. When the first light of morning emerged over the crater, Maui stood up and held in his hand the strong rope he had made. 

Before the sun could notice him, Maui lassoed and trapped the sun's first leg with his rope. The sun was powerful and angry and pulled hard to snap the rope. But the rope held strong. 

Confronting the Sun

Maui then trapped the sun's second leg and then the third, and before long, all sixteen legs of the sun were tied up by Maui's rope. Unable to move and trapped, the sun asked Maui why he had done this and what he wanted. Maui told of his mother's sadness and then threatened to cut off all the sun's legs unless he promised to move more slowly across the sky.

The Sun's Promise

The sun made a heavenly promise to Maui, and then Maui set it free. So, now you know the legend of how Maui captured the sun and forced him to travel more slowly across the sky. Because of Maui's great feats, fishing up the Hawaiian islands and making the days longer, hey, he's often called the Hawaiian Superman.

I know it's a lot, the hair, the bod, when you're staring at a demigod. What can I say except you're welcome, for the tides, the sun, the sky. Hey, it's okay, it's okay, you're welcome, I'm just an ordinary demigod.

Maui's Feats

Hey, what has two thumbs and pulled up the sky, when you were waddling yay high, this guy. When the nights got cold, who stole you fire from down below, look at him, yo, oh. Also, I lassoed the sun, you're welcome, to stretch your days and bring you fun.

Also, I harnessed the breeze, you're welcome, to fill your sails and shake your trees. So, what can I say except you're welcome, for the islands I pulled from the sea. There's no need to pray, it's okay, you're welcome, I guess it's just my way of being me.

Maui's Accomplishments

You're welcome, you're welcome, well, come to think of it, kid, honestly, I could go on and on, I could explain every natural phenomenon. The tide, the grass, the ground, oh, that was Maui just messing around. I cut an eel, I buried its guts, sprouted a tree, now you got coconuts.

What's the lesson, what is the takeaway, don't mess with Maui when he's on a breakaway. And the tapestry here on my skin, is a map of the victories I win. Look where I've been, I make everything happen, look at that, me, me, me, Maui.