They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and perhaps a book writing about the aftermath of an hurricane on a small Hawaiian island should be as visual and expressive as possible.

However I loved the caption writing that supported these photographs and wished there was more of it. It is like the coulis you really prefer around a staid pudding. Myles Ludwig emits an air of sanguine lackadaisicality, whilst emanating a barely suppressed passion and sensitivity for his surroundings.

I'll keep an eye out for any other work from this talented writer.

Kauai Tales is a wonderful collection of books detailing the mythos of old Kauai. Wether you're a history buff or just interested in what the original residents of Kauai thought about all those beautiful landmarks like The Sleeping Giant, or my personal favorite, Pohaku O'kane. Now, this review is biased, becuase F.B. Wichman is my grandfather, but I'm sure you'll get a great experience from this book.

These stories, based on the ancient legends of the Hawaiian people, are among the first writing to reach the U.S. on surfing as a sport, and the legends behind it, with photographs depicting Hawaiian scenes at the turn of the last century.

This book truly speaks to the soul of a being, child and adult. It is full of character, love, lessons and truth. The pictures inspire the imagination and make the words come alive. A wonderful story for children of all ages.

This book grabs your attention right from the start and is a joy and pleasure to read. I couldn't put it down till finished. I highly commend the authors on their good taste and wonderful imagination. I personally can't wait for the next book to come out.

Great job!

Valeri's Kingship and Sacrifice is a well researched and thoroughly documented study of the ritual practices and beliefs of the state religion of Hawai'i prior to Christianization and subsequent colonization (you make the connection). This classic is an essential for those interested in the indigenous religious practices of Kanaka Maoli (the Native Hawaiian), specifically those of the ruling class or ali'i and consequently the participation required by the maka'ainana (watcher of the land). He relies extensively on oral histories recorded and/or translated by Native speakers, as well as other documents authored by Native Hawaiians primarily in the 1800's. These written sources are unique because Kanaka Maoli are rare among indigenious peoples as they were able to record their history in their mother tongue and English. In fact prior to the American backed coup that toppled the legitimate government of Hawaii in 1893, Native Hawaiians were the most literate nation in the world. Today Kanaka Maoli Nation is considered the most illiterate ethnic group in the American colony known as the State of Hawai'i. Politics aside, to Valeri's credit he consistantly avoids judgement of what might appear to be questionable cultural practices/values to some Western eyes (although let that reader first take the log out his own). On a metaphysical plane, Kingship and Sacrifice is a study of an alternative and (in its a time) viable reality. We are reminded that reality is not arbitrary construct or an absolute, but rather a mutable creation of the human mind and as such any reality functions because as an individuals within a society we give our conscious or unconscious consent. We are also given opportunity to reflect upon how Spirit was made manifest or channeled within a particuliar society, and noteworthy is the belief that mystery of Spirit imbued every aspect of life. The influence of this ancient way of being is still felt within contemporary Hawaiian culture.

This books is, in my opinion, the most accurate souce of information ever written on Hawaii's Japanese community. Other authors, such as Takaki, have also written excellent historical guides; however, they are usually mainland-born and don't/can't understand life in Hawaii. "Kodomo No Tame Ni" is a virtual encyclopedia of many lesser-known aspects of the Issei generation, and illustrates the past which has created the atmosphere of modern Hawaii.

Anyone interested in discovering the true past of Hawaii's Japanese (as well as Hawaii's other ethnic groups) should definitely get their hands on this collection of stories, which-- due to the growing mainland-ish "Americanization" of Hawaii-- will soon be forgotten.

In this day and age, I don't think another book of this sort will ever be written.

A Lei for Tutu is a lovely book. My daughter enjoyed it immensely. The story is exciting, touching, and educational. I look forward to reading this author's next book.

Although this book was hard to read at times, I feel like I am a better person for having read it. Father Damien is truely a remarkable individual and his Christlike devotion to the lepers of Hawaii is what made this book so compelling for me. I loved reading about this wonderful,humble man. He loved these people with all his heart and soul. He absolutely changed everything for them, and he not only built churches for them with his bare hands, but he also was their doctor their priest and their friend. When no one would go to the lepers and give them the just the bare necissities of life, Father Damien was a willing and humble servant. I loved this book and know you will come away from reading it, amazed as I was at what this great man accomplished in his short life.

A collection of warm and enthusiastic words of wisdom from 40 residents of Hawaii. Each inspiring story is told in the first-person, usually in a uniquely Hawaiian form of "pidgin" English and accompanied by one or more wonderful black and white photos of the speaker. The individuals you will meet are "ordinary people" with extraordinary character and strength; people of widely differing life experiences and yet each displays a passion for life and an inner peace which is best described as the Aloha spirit.