Akamu and the Revenge of the Matu

Chapter 6 Questions

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1. In Chapter 6 the women are subjected to a memory test. Keeping in mind that the ancient Hawaiians had no written language, do you think they as a group had a keen memory. Why?

2. How did Ele learn to memorize so well. Is the idea of imagining yourself walking through a forest or building and picturing items you see as things you want to memorize used today to help people memorize?

3. In modern day Hawaii there is an important highway on Oahu called the Pali Highway. What does Pali mean?

4. A thousand years ago the Hawaiian people had no written language. How did they remember the past to learn from their parents and grandparents?

5. King Afu was a hard leader of people. What does the Hawaiian word Afu mean in English?

6. How do you say the English word “yes” in Hawaiian?

7. The village of Polihale is mentioned in the book, Akamu and the Revenge of the Matu. Does the town of Polihale exist today?

8. How do you think Ele handled herself in the Matu memorization test? How many items could you memorize?

9. In the book, Akamu and the Revenge of the Matu, Ele is described as a “little bird.”  Why is she called a little bird?

10. Do you think Ele wanted to help the Matu King?