Hawaii Books

After reading this book, I felt it was a little "dated" but, overall, it's a great guide for the Gay and Lesbian Traveler to Hawaii. Many lists of what, where, why and when to go to Paradise!

I urge everyone to buy this book right away. It's the best damn book on Hawaii I ever read.

I urge everyone to buy this book right away. It's the best damn book on Hawaii I ever read.

Matthew Link presents a unique side to Hawaii in a complete, fun, and entertaining manner. The book is very well researched, and is suitable for anyone travelling to Hawaii or has been to Hawaii and wants to relive their experiences.

Rainbow Handbook Hawaii covers history, gay communities,interviews with local gays and lesbians, places to see, trivia, and photos. Also included in Rainbow Handbook Hawaii: detailed city and island maps - the same-sex marriage battle - homo bed and breakfasts - bars and clubs - eco-tours - restaurants - shops - vacation rentals - Hawaiian language glossary - and loads of gay island facts and pictures!

". . . medieval sources do not allude to specific Shaolin fighting methods, Indeed they neither mention how Shaolin monks fought, nor which weapons they employed in battle. Attributing their descendant's martial arts to Tang Shaolin monks would be anachronistic." (The Shaolin Monastery. M. Shahar, pg. 52)

This is a serious, academically critical, look at Shaolin Monastery, and a
good critic of what is being practiced at Shaolin today.

Rik Zak
[...]

This is a deep and throughly researched book detailing the true aspects of Shaolin history and it's strange but interesting link between religion and martial arts.
Everything you needed to know about ancient Shaolin that can be found in ancient records is detailed here.
Other books do not come close and even lie.

A much more readable book than the previous review suggests, desoite its thoroughness, and a welcome antedote to the self-serving mythology that passes for history in most book about Shaolin. Meir's discussion of the roots of some of the most familiar Shaolin-based styles of will be especially absorbing for fans of kung fu movies.

I came to this work as both an academic and a practitioner of a Shaolin style of pushing hands. The evolution of the Shaolin arts from staff fighting to unarmed styles is explored in great detail from a variety of sources (many of which are primary and have been translated here for the first time).

This is one of the first books I've read that makes a scholarly attempt at explaining how the Buddhist monks of Shaolin successfully negotiated the cognitive dissonance caused by commitment to Buddhist principles of non-violence on one hand and mastery of martial arts on the other.

The book also succeeds in recognising and clarifying the role of Daoist thought and cultivation practices (namely the Dao Yin) in the development of Shaolin Gung Fu.

Some of the conclusions (especially in relation to the unarmed styles) lend some support to Nathan Johnson's (2000) thesis 'Barefoot Zen'. After long and careful study of the forms of Shaolin Gung Fu and Karate Kata, Johnson contended that these arts were never intended for fighting (whereas Shahar would likely contend that fighting was not their sole purpose, p.180 and p.200).

Meir is the foremost expert outside of China (and possibly even within China) on the history of the Shaolin Temple. An academic book by an amazing scholar, and a must read for anyone serious about learning the in-depth history of Shaolin, and martial arts, as he traces the history back 1500+ years. Scholarly, well written, peer reviewed, with loads of annotations...

A great book if you're seeking insight of the origins of Kung Fu If you are not seriously interested in martial arts, and their Shaolin China roots, this book is probably not for you.

When I lived in Maui, this was my favorite restaurant (A Pacific Café, on South Kihei Road, in Kihei.) This stunning cookbook, leaves me longing to be back, just so I can dine their once again.

Perhaps when I get a bigger apartment, I may try some of these adventurous recipes. Jean Marie Josselin is one of the founders of this kind of cuisine. Classically trained as a French chef, he was one of the first pioneers of "Hawaiian Regional Cuisine". He moved to Kauai and opened his first restaurant there. He used the fresh ingredients that the island provided. When he opened his first restaurant in Maui, it was an experience just to dine there. The architecture of the inside of the restaurant was rumored to cost around $250k. After a hot day out in the sun, you'd come in and sit at the bar, for a glass of wine and an appetizer while waiting for a table (since you were foolish and didn't make reservations.) The service was so good at the bar, that you decided to stay there and watch the surroundings. Across from the bar, was the line. The appetizers were being prepared, followed by the two or three chefs working on the main courses followed by the person making desserts.

Occasionally, you'd see Arnold Schwarrzennegger and his wife come in, or Helen Hunt, and maybe Dustin Hoffman would sit next to you at the bar. The food was so good, he knew you wouldn't talk to him because you'd be eating the entire time.

All of these memories come back, when flipping through this recipe book... Since I'm not in Maui anymore, I'll just have to settle for Roy's or Kaspars'. (Not a bad thing, just not quite Jean Marie's & George Gomes' masterpieces...)

Jean-Marie has created a comprehensive guide to better eating. His creations aren't for the faint of heart in the kitchen, but if you have the patience, it pays beautifully. I have always been more of a "presentation person" and found his recipies were easy to dress and enjoy equally.

I enjoyed this book immensely. One of the best cookbooks I have used. The multi-ethnic recipes were great. I have used many of these recipes when entertaining business clients in my home. Makes me want to visit one of his restaurants. When will he be publishing another book?

Although this book is now 12 years old, it's recipes are still cutting edge for many, as he, Alan Wong, Sam Choy and Roy Yamaguchi have created and are still creating, luscious food from the incredible fish and fresh vegetables available on Hawaii and in many mainland grocery stores.

His photographs of presentation are eye-candy, inspirational and reflect simple to elegant food styling presentations quite doable for many home chefs of moderate talents.

It's one thing to improvise, from his recipes when I do not have Opah (moonfish), or fresh mahi mahi, living on the mainland as I do, and still enjoy the recipe...It's another thing to visit one of his restaurants as I just did, "A Pacific Cafe" on Kauai, order the tasting menu, and actually watch him meticulously prepare, plate and quickly serve (on warmed plates) breathtakingly delicious crisp, fresh and perfectly cooked and spiced foods, with delicate sauces complementing, rather than overpowering the main item.

So what's the difference between then, when this book was published, and now? Well, judging only from one night a week ago, looking at my and other raving patron's plates, Chef Josselin has a greater use of decorations and sauces, conveniently dispensed from squeeze bottles for precise patterns of visual delight, with tastes or subtle accents that complement the main item, much as other fine chefs currently choose to enhance their presentations. I expect (hopefully) his next book reflects these contributions, as well as having many newer recipes from the last decade.

These are recipes for a chef with generally moderate skills, willing to happily substitute, as many chefs do, one fish or vegetable for another (and he has already made substitute suggestions already!) in those few recipes that have unusual ingredients. When there's unusual cooking styles ( such as cooking in an "imu"- an underground lava rock lined oven), he offers a simpler way to cook the item in a home oven, using banana leaves or tinfoil.

These are recipes for wonderful tasting and appearing food, with an exotic Hawaiian-French touch.

This is a book reflecting a slice in time of an artistic and multitalented chef, whose recipes, and presentations, are both priceless and timeless.

I just ate at Josselin's restaturant at Ceasar's in Las Vegas, 808 (Hawaii's area code). It bills itself as a Hawaiian/French fusion restaurant. It was the best food I've ever had. I did not realize that I had his cookbook until I went to the restaurant. The huli-huli chicken is great, as is the pineapple-maccadamia nut rice. The only problem with the book is that many of the ingredients are difficult/impossible to find outside of Hawaii.

Lee did it again! I rate this one my favorite of her works so far. She put a great deal of emphasis on historical detail while spinning a mysterious little tale of intrigue for her two main characters. The detective couple starts out to enjoy rounds of golf in the Hawaiian Islands and ends up solving a unique mystery. It made a great summer read in my backyard hammock.

D. Whitehead
MidlandTexas

I really enjoyed this book: I liked the characters, I liked the plot, and I felt like catching the next plane to Hawaii, even as a non golfer.
A good read, charming and fast paced.

I really enjoyed the book I liked the characters, I liked the plot, and I felt like catching the next plane to Hawaii, even as a non golfer. The book was consisently charming and fast pased.

The Ghost of the Kohala Coast is turning golf into a deadly game, and it's up to Harry Winslow and June Jacobs, golfing sleuths, to find out why. Their romantic golfing trip soon turns into a nightmare of complex investigations in this latest Hawaiian golf mystery.

Lee Tyler is a veteran travel writer and current member of the Golf Writers Association of America. Other books include The Case Of The Missing Links.

Hawaii is full of mystery and romance, and when Harry "Win" Winslow and June Jacobs (who are self-described top golfing sleuths) are talked into watching over the new Mauna Makai golf course for a week, they have no idea that they will be dealing with more than just political mischief. Mauna Makai has an ancient wall, known as "papohaku" running through it. The wall is both the draw and the originator of many of the problems Martha Masters and Doug Banner have been having in getting the golf course online in time for a big celebrity wedding and the launching of the golf course:

"As they lurched along toward the first hole, Ted said, 'I live up-country, up there, about ten miles away.' He pointed to a mountain in the distance. 'See that rainbow? That's Waimea, where I live. Sometimes in the middle of the night, I hear this golf course calling to me. Like it's crying for help. So I get up at like two in the morning and get dressed and drive down here to check on things. My wife thinks I'm crazy. Doug here thinks I'm superstitious. Me, I'm just doing my job. And you know what? Every time I've come down here, there's been something screwy. Like majorly wrong.' He turned to Doug and said, 'Explain that with your mainland logic.'"

Tyler has combined the game of golf, ancient Hawaiian mythology, and a couple of scatterbrained sleuths to produce a whimsical tale about love, ghosts, and the history and culture of Hawaii. The Teed-Off Ghost is an excellent book to pull out on a cold winter day, as Tyler's passages about luaus can't help but warm the spirit. Tyler pokes fun at the obsession of golfers, while treating us to a warm Hawaiian experience complete with lots of terminology for the uninitiated. She adds island mystery, an entertaining and irascible ghost, and handsome natives who play havoc with the ladies' hearts. The Teed-Off Ghost is more about getting into the native spirits than it is about murder and mayhem, but it is a fun read nevertheless.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

Totality by Mark Littman, Ken Willcox and Fred Espenak was a pretty interesting book. This book explained the stages of eclipses of the sun. It also explained how to safely view eclipses and the history of eclipses. Mark Littman( a professor in science writing and astronomy at the University of Tennessee), Ken Willcox( was a professor of physics and astronomy at Bartlesville Wesleyan College) and Fred Espenak( an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center) explained everything about eclipses very well. They explain the parts of the sun and the stages of the sun. The authors used many examples of past eclipses to back up there information. There were many interesting and detailed pictures to look at. They showed pictures of the stages of eclipses and famous people such as Albert Einstein and Joseph Norman Lockyer. I enjoyed this book most of the time but sometimes it got a little boring. I would recommend this book for people who enjoy reading about solar eclipses and people who want to observe solar eclipses themselves. This book is good for people just starting to observe solar eclipses because it gives safety rules to use when looking at and eclipse. Also it tells you what kind of telescopes and cameras you should use and at what focal length to get the best picture you are looking for. I am sure this book could help out a beginner in observing eclipses. The most interesting part of this book to me was when I read observing a total eclipse. I was fascinated when I learned that animals and plants were affected by total solar eclipses. There were many examples of this. Also I was interested in learning about the many different eclipses. There were many different examples of eclipses to read about. The least interesting part to me was when the authors talked about the history of eclipses. That part was a little boring , but overall this was a pretty good book.

very good book for understanding all the aspects of solar eclipses; gives advice on how to view them, and conveys why they are special events; after reading this book, I was lucky enought to travel to Aruba to see my first total solar eclipse right beside the authors--it was great!

Even if you have other eclipse books at home, TOTALITY provides fresh information about this fascinating phenomenon. This book describes in clear language what makes a total solar eclipse so special. The authors explanation of the science behind eclipses helps to demystify the eclipse, while the chapter devoted to impressions from a group of dedicated eclipse chasers, gives a sense of the magic of a total solar eclipse. There are plenty of drawings and photographs complement the writing, with an excellent set of references in the appendix. Highly recommended, Jerry Levy ....

"Totality" is a superior reference providing a very comprehensive coverage of solar eclipses. I highly recommend this book for advice on understanding, enjoying, photographing, and experiencing solar eclipses, especially total solar eclipses. The information provided is easy to understand as well as practical and useful. I have about a dozen books on eclipses and this is one is the best. "Totality" is a must read for anyone preparing to experience a solar eclipse.

After being three times under the Moon's shadow, I already know very well what kind of excitement, marvel and amazement a person can feel during a total eclipse of the Sun. Reading "Totality", not only you learn, understand and comprehend better everything concerning the "most awesome sight in the heavens" (sic from the book's review), but feel again those very special sensations you only expect to find during totality. If you are not infected by the eclipse bug after the 1999 European eclipse, perhaps this book will do the work. I only miss a bit more extent on science (chapter 9) and about historical eclipses (chapter 5). Anyway, a very well-written, complete and fascinating book.

Thank you for this book!
I'm a lomilomi practioner for years and this book is absolut fantastic.

A great in depth study of the word Aloha but more than that, a tremendous history of Lomi Lomi.

Although not a spiritualist, I found myself immersed in the quiet, calm voice of Harry Uhane Jim, as reported by Garnette Arledge. Kahuna Harry shares the secret teachings of his Hawaiian heritage, now in danger of being lost. Of special resonance to me was the principle of "compassionate disengagement." For Harry, genuine healing calls on the presence of the Light Within to reflect energy so as to generate the other person's sovereignty. That sounds right to me.

From the moment I started reading Wise Secrets of Aloha, I could feel the sacred beauty of Hawaii and wanted to go there immediately! (I never had that pull before.) Thanks to Garnette Arledge's exquisite writing, I could feel the fragrant breezes, the ocean, the sunlight and all the lushness and loving energy that permeate the atmosphere there. And then we meet Harry Uhane Jim who so generously shares his delightful spirit and the healing messages and energies of Lomilomi. This book is a great blessing to our planet. It teaches us. It heals us. I'll be forever grateful to Kahuna Harry for allowing these sacred and invaluable teachings to emerge into the world market; and to Garnette Arledge whose deep sensitivity to the essence of this work and prodigious literary skills make her the perfect author of this gem. May it heal millions.

Aloha! As the editor of the Bishop Museum book on lomilomi and of Hawaiian Massage Lomilomi: Sacred Touch of Aloha I am happy to see a new book on this tradition. Although the Hawaiian proverb says, "All wisdom is not taught in one school," all authentic lomilomi practitioners live aloha and give aloha. This is also the way of Harry Uhane Jim.

Harry is native Hawaiian, and his wife is the granddaughter of Kahuna Papa Bray, one of the first Hawaiians to teach Huna. This book is filled with Huna concepts and will be treasured by Huna people. Those who believe Huna is not Hawaiian will still find nuggets of traditional practice, and his stories growing up on Kauai are wonderful glimpses into small kid time. His lineage is the Manoi and Kaimikaua families, and he learned from Auntie Rev. Mary, a minister in Kapaia on Kauai.

The book focuses on philosophy and personal stories, briefly describing a few treatment protocols. Harry says he gives Temple Lomilomi but it is quite different from what is described in Nancy Kahalewai's book, Hawaiian Lomilomi: Big Island Massage. The receiver is fully clothed and focuses on breathing. The giver mostly uses elbows. The work is not just physical but also verbal. Though he doesn't call it ho'oponopono, he describes a process of letting go of the past. The book includes heart-warming stories from people who have been healed by Harry's work.

Harry has a creative approach to the Hawaiian language and is not constrained by the Pukui Dictionary. Native Hawaiian scholars who are dedicated to perpetuating their language and who are deeply aware of its esoteric subtleties will disagree with the rationale for many of his spellings and definitions. There are some factual errors about place names and history, and some of his interpretations seem like New Age flights of fancy, but some of the more far-out ideas are actually documented historically. For example, across all the islands the Pleiades are considered the ancestral home, as Harry relates.

In some of the marketing, Harry is referred to as "the last lomilomi kahuna" but the book makes clear he is only the last of his family's lineage. He is not the last in existence. They may not call themselves "kahuna," but there are masters practicing openly today, and others who quietly keep their lomilomi in the 'ohana or family.

I give 5 stars because this book is filled with aloha spirit, and is an authentic contribution to the literature reflecting the diversity of native practice. I hope it inspires others to document their family lineages. This is now only the third book on lomilomi (I'm publishing a fourth in October 2007). The person with a genuine heart and sincere desire to learn about Hawaiian traditions should read all four books to begin to understand the diversity of lomilomi, and the complexity of Hawaiian spirituality.

I read the book American Diaries Janey G. Blue. This book is great. It is a really amazing book because its about a twelve year olds life and part of our countrys history. I thought this book was interesting because of the excitement. This is now one of my favorite books. I learned some interesting facts. That when there is danger you have to go into another city. I would recommend this book for three resons. One of the reasons I would recommend this book is it kept me interested. Another reason is because I liked it. Last I recommend this book because it kept me busy.

American Diaries Janey G. Blue is an oustanding book.

Very good book, it covers just three days in the whole thing, but you always want to finish it in one setting. I highly recomend this book.

This book is a real touching one. The suffering of all the characters was passed to the reader and worried him also. It was a great book because it taught great lessons of love and especially of life. It also taught about how surprising the morning of the Japanese attacks in Hawaii were and how clueless the people were of what was happening. I hope you also enjoy the book and learn as much as I did about the terrifying morning of December 7, 1941.

A 6th grade student

Twelve-year-old Janey, her parents, and her four-year-old brother Michael have left their home in Kansas to live on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. It's December 1941, and Janey's father, a welder, has been hired by the military to work at Hickman Airfield, near Pearl Harbor. Janey loves the beauty of her new home, but she is terrified by the threat of war between the United States and Japan, which could lead to an invasion of Hawaii. On the peaceful Sunday morning of December 7, without warning, Japanese planes attack. Janey and her mother and brother are separated from her father. They are forced to evacuate their home, but Janey is determined to return - because she knows in her heart that her father can't be dead, and that she will see him again. This was an excellent new book in the American Diaries series that captured the terror of the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, as faced by the many civilian families living on the island.

This book is full of deep and universal thruths. Full of great inspirational and spiritual thought-provoking ideas. "The fruit is already in the seed." Many of us would need to read it several times to understand and appreciate this wonderful book. Great gift idea for anyone who is seeking...

Ano Ano is an exquisite book of poetry that we all can relate to. Even though it encompasses the belief system of the ancient Hawaiian people, it still reads like it was written today. It addresses goal setting, dealing with a loss of a loved one, feeling lonely, and how to be successful! It's like getting advice from your best friend! Words of wisdom-Hawaiian style! The illustrations are so beautiful-keep it on your coffee table. This is a book to cherish forever! You will find yourself giving it as a gift for others to enjoy!

This book was exactly what I needed in my life. I bought it for a research paper that I chose to do about Hawaiian Literature, and I ended up buying a book that would ironically change me as a person. I was amazed. I actually cried at how perfect this book was for me. If you are in search of a sense of security in this world, or just want to really touch base with yourself, you will be so refreshed once you read Ano Ano. I have no doubt in my mind. Peace...

I keep this book close by so that I can refer to it often. It helps me remember "the truth" that we so easily forget in our hectic lives -the reason we are here in the first place. Whenever I feel lost or alone I just open it up (no matter what page) and read that passage. It always seems to bring me back "home". A WONDERFUL GIFT - THE GIFT OF TRUTH. I'm sending a copy to all of my close friends and family members.

excellent luau recipies all you need is to learn the hul

This book is in print and is available in gift shops. I saw it today at the Menele Bay Hotel on the island of Lanii in Hawaii.

Bring the warmth of Aloha into your home and into your kitchen as you experience the flavors of island cuisine. Turn ordinary meals into a tropical feast for the senses - island style. With beautiful cover artwork by renowned Hawai`i artist Pegge Hopper, the award-winning A Taste of Aloha, contains over 360 recipes donated by Junior League of Honolulu members, notable chefs, restaurants and hotels reflecting Hawaii's diverse ethnic backgrounds. It includes a complete glossary, unique fish chart and a guide for a Hawaiian luau.

Recently our family went to Hawaii and formed cooking teams for dinner. We used Another Taste of Aloha for most of the recipes and found it to be FANTASTIC. I have just bought 5 more to give to the family as gifts as a memory of fantastic recipes that can be cooked at home to recapture the memories.

Traditionally, four major East Asian languages have used Chinese characters for their writing systems: Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and, of course, Chinese. Wm. C. Hannas knows all of them, and in this book he uses that extensive knowledge to deliver a broadside against the Chinese characters' lack of efficiency as a writing system.

Anyone familiar with John DeFrancis' work on the Chinese language will recognize some of Hannas' arguments (DeFrancis writes the forward for this book and was clearly an inspiration for Hannas' work). But Hannas is more wide-ranging in his scholarship and goes further with his arguments.

The first part of the book introduces the four major languages that have used Chinese characters for their writing systems, introducing them in order of the frequency they presently use the characters. Thus, Chinese -- which is comprised entirely of characters -- is introduced first and Vietnamese -- which no longer uses any characters -- is introduced last. This part describes the history of each languages' writing system and is highly readable.

After the languages have been introduced, the second part of the book critiques the Chinese character-based writing system. This part varies between highly readable sections and some more abstruse sections that deal with linguistic, analytical, and even psychological arguments that require close readings by the layman who doesn't have an expertise or at least a strong interest in those areas. But these arguments are the meat of Hannas' book as he looks at what Chinese characters represent, reading and literacy in Chinese character-based scripts, and even whether those writing systems are really appropriate for East Asian languages as some people have argued.

The third and final part winds down with a look at why reform of the Chinese character-based writing system fails (as Hannas argues it does) as well as what the future is likely to hold for it. One chapter alone is dedicated to the effect computers are having on characters. I found this part the least plausible of the three and also somewhat repetitive as arguments made earlier were restated.

While I agree with most of Hannas' general arguments and found his book both highly interesting and entertaining, I also think he greatly overstates his case. Hannas seems to actually believe that characters are on their way out. The growth in education and wealth, as well as the general social vibrance found in so many of the societies which still use Chinese characters suggests, at the very least, that perhaps inefficiency in a writing system is simply not an important aspect to a well-functioning, modern society -- that whatever impact it has is more negligible than Hannas imagines.

But disagreements over some of its points shouldn't be a reason not to read this outstanding book. Hannas' scholarship, lucid writing, and forceful exposition will give anyone who has experience with any of the East Asian languages that use Chinese characters a wonderful read.

This, following the tradition of John DeFrancis's Chinese Language: Fact and Fantasy, uncovers the myth of East Asian languages: Korean, Japanese, "Chinese" and Vietnamese. The author provides an academically reliable and easy-to-read account of how the language works (or, doesn't work), and the future prospects for these languages and their writing systems. Read it and believe it instead of the myths running around in our societies.

I found this book to be a well written and interesting look at the use of Chinese characters. It uncovers some of the commonly held misconceptions about the use of the characters. It does a very thorough job of examining the differences between them and phonetic alphabetic scripts. The book covers the use of characters in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The view of Hannas is that the characters are "on their last leg". I have discussed this book with several of my Chinese, Japanese, and Korean friends and they all seem to disagree with Hannas and are not in favor of abolishing the use of the characters. Hannas claims that he is not writing from the point of view of a disgruntled Westerner, but sometimes this is hard to believe. The introduction by John DeFrancis states that Hannas is one of the few people (Western or Asian) to have mastered Chinese (several "dialects")Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese. I would highly recommend this book for anyone curious about East Asian languages. As an aside, I'm sure that an Asian could find plenty of things about English that do not make sense and should be changed!

This work is a highly polemical look at the writing systems of East Asian languages, specifically those that use Chinese characters. The author is out to demolish standard ideas about the use of Chinese characters in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese, and he does a thorough and persistent job of it. The book is accordingly much more exciting than a straightforward introduction to these writing systems could ever be. What is more, the author's insights are pretty well spot on, although not likely to endear him to those who entertain the myths that he sets out to demolish (which includes most speakers of these languages). Bold, refreshing, and definitely recommended.