Hawaii Books

If you want to include excellent review of this book I suggest you include the following: Chris Tiffin. Mana. 3(1) p.140-142; Oct 1978 James Bertram. Listener. 88(1995) p.54-5; Mar 25 1978. World Literature Today. 52 p.696; Autumn 1978. World Literature Today. 52 p.247; Spring 1978. Sally Lodge. Publishers Weekly. 218 p.83; Oct 31 1980. Library Journal. 106 p.473; Feb 15 1981.

While visiting Hawaii, I bought this book for my 12-year-old son. I decided to read it also. It was excellent. Certainly, it was a fun adventure story, but the thing that made it stand out from the rest was the wealth of Hawaiian terms that are woven into the story. There is even a dictionary in the back, although most of the words' definitions are also carefully woven into the story. My son is hoping for a sequel!

This is not a plant picture book - it's meant to be used. So much so that it comes with a chapter named "Words of Warning." The first part of the book covers tools and techniques for gathering, transporting and preparing Hawaiian plants, including using the modern version of the Hawaiian O`O (digging stick). Following that is a chart of what plants grow at what elevations (I've never seen one like it anywhere else). The next (and largest) section is an alphabetical listing of 54 major medicinal plants (one page each) with descriptions, comments and drawings. The only negative is that the plant drawings aren't in color - readers will probably want a supplemental plant guidebook to help with plant identifications. The final section is an alphabetical listing of ailments that the plants can be used to cure, AND complete instructions on how to prepare and use them.

I wouldn't hesitate to use this book at all for my personal health. I didn't know that awa would stop a headache cold (it does) until I read it here. The author has been interested in medicinal plants since childhood and obviously believes in them. At the same time he is realistic and doesn't hesitate to point out when modern medicine works better (like aspirin for fever reduction, for example). If you live in the islands, you need this book near your medicine cabinet! It's great.

A truly excellent scholarly study like Janine Sawada's "Practical Pursuits" is a treasure indeed. First of all, each chapter is full of a wealth of new knowledge and information. Religious movements and traditions previously unknown or at best understudied are explored here with much original research and hard work in rare and well-nigh inaccessible sources. I've studied Japanese religions for a long time now, and I can't say I've even heard of some of the fascinating Edo-period divinatory and purificatory systems discussed earlier in the book. As for the Meiji forms of Zen Buddhism developed at Engakuji Temple of which I was somewhat aware, this book goes into amazingly great depth and analysis. In short, if you like learning something new, you'll definitely get your money's worth on that score alone.

But there's much more to this book, too. All this wonderful variety of detail is held together by a common theme, the discourse of personal spiritual cultivation underlying these diverse religious forms. This is a compelling approach that successfully transcends compartmentalizing the traditions as separate and unrelated entities (for Sawada convincingly demonstrates that they don't operate that way) while not glossing over the distinctive vocabularies and approaches of each. Furthermore, a key concern of Sawada's research here as a historian is the complex political ramifications (primarily but not exclusively "conservative") of this religious paradigm of self-cultivation, but she deftly avoids the tendency to be reductive here and keeps in view the spiritual significance and meaningfulness of this paradigm and its practices to those whose ideas and beliefs she describes and analyzes.

The overall result is a well-balanced, finely nuanced, and (most of all) intensely interesting study, one that should by rights exert a great influence on the way Japanese religions are conceptualized. If you liked Sawada's prior book, "Confucian Values and Popular Zen", then you'll find that in many ways this book picks up where that one left off but also moves beyond it. And if you are at all interested in Japanese religions, especially their modern vicissitudes, or in Meiji intellectual history more generally, then you absolutely should not go without this fine book.

Preserving Paradise is a gem of a book! As ecological consciousness grows this book shines offering numerous tangible opportunities for willing volunteers to partake in a healing relationship with the bounty and beauty of nature in Hawaii's idyllic settings. Whatley has written an admiring, comprehensive reference book with understanding and appreciation for the living world. The book is illustrated throughout with colour images and comes in an easily portable format.If you are seeking a transformative path, a wonderful chance to share in the care and renewal of the web of life then this book is a treasure trove of insights and ideas for you!

Having lived from the 40s to the present in Hawaii, this made me remember what it was really like then. Remember the dock strikes and the racial prejudices? A must for Hawaii history buffs.

I had to write an economics paper, and one particular chapter was very helpful for me. The chapters were all editorials on different aspects of the finances of living in Hawaii. They are very throughough and appear to be accurate. The dialog is easy to read, and there are amusing cartoons. It is a fun and easy book to explore if you want this sort of information. The topics are interesting, which I didn't think was possible since the overall subject is economics. Overall, interesting and informative.

a very untertaining and interesting book, full of insights and original ideas.
Japanese authorities and Dutch sailors played an amazing game of diplomacy when wrongs were transformed in benefactions and ambassadors sent to dye and be embalmed
The best introduction ever to the first contacts between Europeans and Japanese

There are a few books out there which are supposedly about interactions between physical humans and `discarnate' entities, but very few have the ring of truth about them. This book is different. Not only does Morag Campbell let you know the real consequences of living immortal beings becoming part of her life, but also something about how they themselves lived all those years ago on a very remote island - a region of the world that many of us are unfamiliar with. It is a real insight into their lives and their ways, which confirms what some of us have always suspected - it was never easy!

The results are not only the completion of `unfinished business' from an ancient time and place, but also the introduction of a teaching back to the earth that had remained entirely secret and unknown until now. You may know this teaching as Huna Mua, but not the reasons for it appearing again. This book will complete the picture for you.

Morag Campbell has written a first hand account of what happened to her, her life, and her relationships as a consequence. But more than this it is an account of how life was for a Kahuna from a bygone era; something about which there was no first hand account until now.

You won't have read this kind of book before, and you won't forget it. Thoroughly recommended.

After trying to secure this book through Barnes and Nobles, I was told that there would be a delay on the shipment date. That would just simply not work as it was a present for a friend, so I turned to reliable Amazon. As a Peace Corps Volunteer from the South Pacific, I try to read as many books about that region of the world as possible, but it is often extremely difficult to find books about the South Pacific. This is a great find. Thanks!