Long ago, the ancient Hawaiians sat beside candlenut fires and told stories about the natural wonders they found in their tropical home. Like many early cultures, they believed in a multitude of gods that controlled the mortal world around them. They told stories of a fiery goddess that lived in the volcano and about a mighty hero that captured the sun.

Here are six of those legends, and the real stories about the beautiful islands where the Hawaiians made their home.

How Maui Pulled the Islands from the Sea - a fishing tale that tells how the Hawaiian Islands were formed. Learn some geophysics and play our "Name That Island" game.

The Story of Ohia and Lehua - Here is the tale of two lovers parted by Pele, the fiery goddess of volcanoes. Learn about one of our beautiful native trees and take our Native Birds of Hawai'i quiz.

How Maui Slowed the Sun - Here's a good story about why our days are so long in our tropical home. Learn about day length and make your own sun dial.

The Woman in the Moon - This tale adds a twist to the "man in the moon" story, as the beautiful goddess, Hina, searches for a place to rest. Take our 360 degree virtual tour of the phases of the moon.

How Maui Found the Secret of Fire - This is an unusual tale about that involves a selfish bird. Learn about one of Hawaii's endangered native birds, and take our Endangered Species Survey.

The Story of Kamapua'a - Pua'a means pig in Hawaiian. Learn about the damage from alien species to our native habitat. Then, have fun with our Legend Who's Who Game.

We'll take you on a guided tour through all the stories, facts and games, so click below and come with us as we listen to . . .