Most of Colum's stories take place on the islands of Hawaii, although in some cases the setting extends to the south and west as far as Tahiti or even New Zealand. Several stories are set in mythical lands under the sea or in the sky.

Colum vividly evokes the diverse geographical features of the islands— the beaches, cliffs, mountains, volcanoes, clearings, groves, jungle, running rivers, and waterfalls. In many stories the sea plays a key role. Colum also describes the trappings of traditional Polynesian life—thatched houses, tapa cloth, flower leis, traditional foods, canoes, weapons, and the war helmets and elaborate feather capes worn by the men. During his visit to Hawaii, Colum was particularly impressed by the labor and craftsmanship evidenced in the making of these capes.

Colum's stories generally reflect the Polynesian social structure, though he omits many details about violence and sexual mores...