Hawaii may have been an idyllic Bali Hai or Shangri-La at one time in its ancient past. We cannot know. With no written language, only the chanted legacy of elders told the tale before the Europeans arrived with pen and paper. Then, almost immediately, Hawaii became a land ravaged by change. From "Lani E" the old gods sadly observe two lovers in the chaos. One beholds her floundering kingdom from a secret cave where aumakua animals talk to her. The other goes on a heroic journey to an alien world - to learn and bring back knowledge, to take responsibility, find forgiveness and save whatever is left of his beloved land. He is prepared to face down the wayward ali'i, the new government and the entrenched missionary, but his courageous efforts may be too late.