Hawaii Books

Volume 2 of the series continues showcasing the razor sharp black & white photography of Victor Norton Jr. Along with volume 1, this is a must have for anyone with an interest in the all but vanished Hawaiian railroad scene, World War II or Hawaiian history in general. My only wish would be for a few color photos. Alas, Norton operated exclusively in b&w.

The recipient of this gift told me he had been eyeing this book for some time. He is a professional seasheller in Kuaui HI and was thrilled to receive his wish.

This is a good book, it is even endorsed by Samuel H. Elbert and he wrote the forward. Elbert is part of the team of Pukui/Elbert that produced Place Names of Hawaii. "Hawaiian Street Names" focuses strictly on Oahu street names and includes many street names that are not included in "Place Names of Hawaii", which I also recommend, even more highly. For instance, Kuhio (there should be a line (kahako or macron) over the u and the o) was the one of the names of a well known and famous prince and the name of a main street in Waikiki which is named for him. Kuhio is included in "Place Names", but curiously no translation is given, however "Hawaiian Street Names" provides a translation.

This book includes the okina and kahako like "Place Names" or any good contemporary publication with Hawaiian words, so that Hawaiian words that have them are spelled correctly. But as you may or may not know, the okina and the kahako are not so easy to render on the internet. The okina is an upside down or inverted apostrophe. A kahako is a macron, a line over a vowel and indicates a long vowel. But I have digressed.

Please be aware that the original publication had 4,000 entries and 170 pages, but the updated edition has 5,000 entries and 192 pages. See my image so that you can see the difference in how the covers look. I have both editions and there is even a slight difference in size. I measure the updated version at 9 by 6 inches and the original edition at 8.5 by 5.5 inches. Because the updated version has a thousand more entries, I recommend the updated version, but it may not be that easy to tell what you might get if you do not have the copy in hand.

If you are at all interested in the Hawaiian language and you get this book, you will not be disappointed.

I've had this book for years, got it from my old dad and I treasure it. I've got a lot of photo books, plenty with scantily clad girls in them and plenty of books of girls with no clothes on at all. I suppose it's because my sister Tiffany is a photographer and that's what she shoots, she kind of got me hooked.

And I suppose when this book came out in 1945 some of the shots in it would have been considered racy, but today girls go to school wearing less than the girls in this book. And, of course, today one could never put out a book classifying girls by their race as Mr. Inn does here. He doesn't do it out of disrespect, it's just the way things were done back then.

Other than a brief introduction, by Andrew Lind of the University of Hawaii, there is almost no text in the book, just Mr. Inn's excellent photographs of beautiful Hawaiian girls in Black and White. Mr. Inn does state just before the introduction that all of the photographs were taken with a Super Ikonta B, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4, with a Zeiss Tessar F/2.8 Lens and that's just about it from Mr. Inn. He lets his work speak for him and what a wonderful job it does.

Reviewed by Stephanie Sane

I picked up this book while on vacation in Hawaii years ago and have used it while teaching. It's beautifully illustrated with very easy-to-read text throughout. It's appropriate for kids of all ages, but especially the younger ones. It's nice to find a book based on legends that is presented in a way that younger kids will find engaging without losing any of the beauty of the story itself. A book worth buying!! I would also recommend checking out "Pele and the Rivers of Fire" by the same author.

David Dilworth presents the reader with a great compilation of short stories of, arguably, Japan's best author. Each story is masterly crafted with meticulous attention paid to historical detail, and each story is well prefaced, explaining Ogai's philosophic and aesthetic intentions. Either Dilworth or a collegue has made first rate translations in this edition. I would reccomend this book to both the scholar of Japanese literature and those who have only a nodding acquaintance with Ogai.

The collaborative effort of Norris W. Potter, Lawrence M. Kasdon, and Ann Rayson, History Of The Hawaiian Kingdom is a solidly written and easily accessible reference for readers of all ages and backgrounds concerning the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom from the arrival of Captain Cook in 1775 down to the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by American forces near the beginning of the twentieth century. Color illustrations and informative text make for an excellent general primer and resource. Also recommended is a History Of The Hawaiian Kingdom workbook ..., and classroom teachers using it as an instructional textbook should also acquire a History Of The Hawaiian Kingdom answer key ...

This collection of essays covers some of the key aspects of Buddhism in Cambodia today and their historical context. A really first class publication with reliable information not found elsewhere. The primary focus is on contemporary Cambodia. Well produced, well written, well priced. Highly recommended.

`Holo Mai Pele' is the perfect companion piece for the DVD by the same name. It maybe only a slender volume 68 pages in length, but it's a beautifully arranged collection of photos and text covering aspects of Hawaiian mythology dealing with the volcano Goddess Pele. Holding this volume in your hands, you'll have a sensation that is in many ways a religious experience, for this is truly a sacred book.

If you're of Hawaiian heritage and have the desire to embrace your history and its traditions more fully this is a must have paperback espousing the "Old Ways" through an understanding of song, chant, dance and commentary. `Holo Mai Pele' is the perfect coffee table book that you can place in your living room where guests can browse through this enchanting legacy on ancient Hawaiian beliefs and leave with a better understanding of one of the most beautiful cultures on the face of the earth.

Purchase the DVD too!

Among the relatively few works available in English on the Pure Land teachings of Honen-bo Genku, this is an essential read. It could be considered a veritable manifesto of Honen's thought, particularly concerning the selection process involved in adopting Pure Land faith and practice (Nembutsu). This work is thus indispensible for anyone seeking to understand, and perhaps practice the teachings of this great pioneering Buddhist Master. This is a very accessable translation, which includes an excellent historical and doctrinal introduction, and a very helpful glossary.