Hawaii Books

(SPOILER ALERT)

14-y.o. Dylan is on a trip of a life time. Not only is he going on an exciting hike and campout at the paradisial Halape Beach on the Big Island in Hawaii, he's the senior patrol leader. But Dylan also has on his hands a problem of seismic proportions: Louie Domingo, an older, taller troubled teen, all muscle and menace. Previously, the two had a happenstance run-in that was the fault of neither, but Louie had vowed he would get Dylan back. Soon enough, trouble stirs and stews. It seems only a matter of time that Louie's threats would explode into violence. Little did either boys realize that a far greater peril would come from above - and beyond. Their world is shattered when a 7.2 earthquake rocked their campground, shaking loose boulders that rained death upon them, causing a tidal wave that wiped out their idyllic beach. Struggling through crippling injuries and paralyzing fear, every troop member has to dig deep to survive the catastrophe; Dylan and Louie must band together in order to save the troop, and save themselves.

This is a great book for boys who complain they don't have anything good to read - it's GOOD alright. It has a killer cover that sets the tone. A growing sense of foreboding sets in early and carries the reader away like a tsunami. Besides the brewing danger that Louie presents, we also have the mysterious howling dogs that seemed to be following them (cleverly set off by Louie's growling dogs introduced earlier - dogs that he controlled with a single word); there's also a shark of mythical pedigree, and spine-tingling tales of intrigue told around a campfire. What makes the book even more compelling is the epilogue. It explains how the story, while fictitious, is based on true events in 1975 that Salisbury's own cousin went through, and lived to talk about. Parents, librarians, and teachers will embrace the positive values the book espouses. Finally, Salisbury's staccato writing style echoes the taciturn temperament of Louie, and will resonate with laconic boys. You don't have to be a boy scout to be captivated by this book. Highly recommended.

Graham Salisbury's NIGHT OF THE HOWLING DOGS recreates in fiction the true story of a volcano's eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii. Dylan's Scout troop camps below the volcano in a beautiful setting - a nice expedition until disaster strikes and brings with it changes demanding Dylan assume an unusual leadership role.

Graham Salisbury has done it again with Night of the Howling Dogs. He's taken an actual event (the 1975 7.2 earthquake, epicenter Halape) and created a fiction story based on the horror that a Boy Scout Troop experienced during the quake and subsequent tsunami.

Salisbury's knowledge of Hawaii and his "nature-based" writing style are perfect for telling the story of Dylan (scout leader) and Louie (a hardened street kid with a rough past)and how they survive the aftermath of Pele's anger; saving their fellow scouts, leaders and a group of paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) who were also camping there.

Having been to this region of the Big Island, I can say that the descriptions are not only accurate, but they put you there, in the moment, as are the characters. An excellent read!

Casey is the Senior Patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop, and they are about to hike and stay in a remote area in their native land of Hawaii. This place had been almost completely wiped out from a long-ago volcanic eruption, but there is a small oasis of quiet beauty in the area that remained. That's where the boys will be camping.

Casey is not excited when a tough boy named Louie shows up. He's not a Scout, but his Scoutmaster invited him along to see if he would be interested in joining. He makes Casey uncomfortable, but there's nothing he can do about it. And Casey only thinks that having Louie on his case constantly is the biggest thing he has to worry about on that trip.

Until it hits. "It" is an actual event that happened in this same area in 1975. An earthquake, which causes part of the land to collapse into the ocean, and that also causes a tsunami that covers the sunken land with water beyond belief. Palm trees, under which some of his troop had been sleeping, stand in the middle of the ocean. He doesn't know where anyone is, if they are okay, or if he will survive himself.

Graham Salisbury's cousin was a Scout who happened to be on just such a trip with his troop when the historical tsunami hit. He took the author to the land many years later. The detailed descriptions of the events and setting could only be told by an excellent storyteller and someone who truly experienced this unbelievable event. This is a great adventure of survival and a coming-of-age story.

Reviewed by: Dianna Geers

Night of the Howling Dogs: A Page-turning Thriller

In his newest novel, Night of the Howling Dogs, popular writer Graham Salisbury masterfully combines the atmosphere of superstition and spooky stories around the fire at Camp Halape, with Hawaiian tales and legends of the Big Island locale, and the almost spiritual setting (the mana of place so important in Hawaiian mythology) on the slope of an active volcano in a near "perfect storm" to build suspense and create a thriller based on a true story. Night of the Howling Dogs is certainly a new direction for Graham Salisbury. Whereas his previous novels have focused primarily on character, this book focuses on the natural setting and survival of characters in conflict with the elements of nature. This time the place and the people rather than the period of history (World War II, for example, in Under the Blood-Red Sun and Eyes of the Emperor) drive the action. The novel's plot is tightly structured. The conflict in the opening pages of the story pits narrator Dylan and the other "good guys" against menacing and mysterious "Mr. Bad Man" Louie and the challenge of camping in a remote area on the side of volcano Moana Loa the Big Island of Hawaii. The geological instability of the natural setting and the growing possibility of impending disaster become the focus barely one third of the way into the novel.

Salisbury seamlessly blends the elements of plot with supernatural aspects of the setting--such as tales of the night marchers, the importance to the Hawaiians of akua, or good spirits associated with an area, as well as the importance of sharks as protectors to those who feed and befriend them. Fred, the shark with the bullet hole in his fin, turns out to be not a danger or threat to the boys but more of an amakua, or family god who can help those in trouble (138). The title's reference to the howling dogs ties in with the Hawaiian legend of Pele, who "was once a goddess, an akua" and who now "has a home up in Kilauea, at the volcano, right above where we are now," as Masa tells the group of Scouts around the campfire (97). It seems Pele often appears as a small white dog, just like the one Dylan hears first then sees high up on the cliff above the campsite during the night. To add to the mystery, Masa warns the group, "If you see that small white dog, something's going to happen" (99).

Many aspects of the novel are two-sided: the lava which can be smooth pahoehoe or aa like "shattered glass"; the location at Halape where the action occurs is first "a paradise" and later "A Watery Grave"; initially the description of the boys' camp near "a thick green coconut grove curved around a white sand beach" beyond which "a sky blue ocean [sits] smooth and calm" seems idyllic, but later on, the surging sea destroys virtually all of this peaceful setting; the "crack "where the boys enjoy swimming is both "dark down there" yet "where the sun shined on it you could see shadows under every rock and pebble on the bottom" (44). Even characters have both light and dark sides: Louie first creates tension among the members of the group, but it is he who ultimately pulls the team together in their battle to survive.

The novel is filled with foreshadowing, too. Like the ill-advised choices of the solitary man on the trail in Jack London's famous "To Build a Fire," actions of several of the campers are "stupid," and Salisbury's readers wait to see when the stupid ones will regret their folly. From Tad's lack of caution in not staying with his buddy Zach, to Dylan's "I was stupid" not to bring a hat for protection against the sun, to Mike and Louie's pitching their tent too close to the high water mark, it seems nearly every member of the group is sufficiently careless to warrant disaster.

In Night of the Howling Dogs, Salisbury again emphasizes positive character values. He uses the natural disaster to bring together characters--at least for a while. When Dylan pleas with Louie for his glasses, "unless you want to carry me home because I can't hike out of here without [my glasses]," Mr. Bad Man Louis, sasses back "Hoo, sissy-boy, I going to join Girl Scouts before I carry you" (85). Later when disaster hits, ironically Louis ends up carrying several different characters when his help is needed. Salisbury also works in the importance of respect and the positive aspects of Scouting even though it may not always be perceived as the "in" thing for young teens to do; as Mr. Bellows says, "I know you get teased for it [Scouting] at school" (27).

Because the characters range in age from eleven-year-old Tad (and his mommy-packed back pack) to Louie, the independent, mysterious fifteen year old who wears "a leather cord with a shark's tooth and silver skull hanging from it" (11-12), this book will appeal to middle school readers as well as to young adults. I will certainly recommend this book to my 7th graders, especially those who enjoy adventure and suspense. The suspense kept me turning pages, too!

The Nisei soldier was very well written. I enjoyed reading the personal interviews as they gave insight to what people were really thinking. The book kept my interest because it was told more in the sense of a story than just in factual information put on a page. I was really able to get a better understanding of WWII (results, consequences, causes).

I am a homeschooler using this book to enrich my children's understanding of history. This book presents valuable Japanese prespectives that are not discussed in mainstream education. All of the foreign terms are clearly explained, and the book is very easy to understand. I highly reccomend this book for anyone who is interested in gaining a unique insight into World War II and the Korean War!

In The Nisei Solder: Historical Essays On World War II And The Korean War, Edwin Nakasone draws upon his expertise having taught Asian-American and World War II history from more than 25 years to write a highly informative account of Japanese-American soldiers called "Nisei", who fought to defend American interests, despite discrimination accorded them and their families by the people and government of the United States. The narrative text is rich in descriptive detail, based on Nakasone's own experiences (he served as a Nisei in the U.S. Army's occupation forces in Japan at the end of the war), supplemented with extensive interviews with Nisei soldiers. In addition to offering the reader an informative Japanese-American perspective, Nakasone's essays also explore the Japanese perspectives on World War II not often available to an American reader. The Nisei Solder is a very highly recommended addition to any personal, professional, academic, or community library World War II history collection.

The Nisei Soldier is a fascinating, fast moving account of major historical events. It is chronicled in such a way that one sees the faces of the protagonists and feels the psychological impact on them--ideal reading particularly for those interested in the contributions of the Nisei to our country's wars. I was a replacement with the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regiment. The Vosges Mountain campaign in France was my initiation into combat as an infantry-man. It was awful, with steel and tree splinters raining down on us--it was hell.

The book Nisei Soldier is a very good and interesting book. The subject matter is interesting, and put together correctly so that the book flows. It is really easy to understand and follow. It is very readable because it is so easy to understand, and because any unfamiliar word or japanese phrase is described in good detail.

Whether we like it or not, private schools are a big deal in Hawaii, more so than in any other state. With the roots of the issue dating back to the mid-1800s missionary days, Island parents today make difficult choices when it comes schooling their children. On Oahu alone there are 71 private elementary, middle and high schools to chose from if you decide to go that route. Thirty years ago I found myself on the same quest as Jacqui Pirl - working myself through the maze of school choices for my own children. I, too, wrote a book about it (A Guide to Independent Schools in Hawaii, now a collector's item!) Pirl has expanded on the theme in every way, and has included information on public schools as well. Her book covers every detail that will help parents make informed choices. If you are on a similar quest, let Pirl's book be your guide. You'll be extremely grateful for the deep reasearch she has done on your behalf.

This is a great book. Jacqui Pirl provides tools to look beyond the obvious choices in private education. The Guide provides excellent background information and encourages parents to consider a broad range of factors in selecting a school for their children. It's a must-read for the proactive parent.

Ms. Pirl's Guide to Private Schools in Hawaii is a well researched and well organized guide for parents in choosing a school for their children. It seems to me it would be a helpful tool to guide parents not only in Hawaii but also in any state where private schools dominate the educational systems. It is full of excellent ideas for wading through the process of choosing a school and encourages parents to remain steadfast in their search to find an educational system that best fits the needs of their child(ren).

Finally one place where you can see all the information and make the best decision for your children. I'm buying this book for all my friends.

The Parent's Guide to Private Schools in Hawaii is a wonderful, easy to read and easy to use guide. No stone was left unturned in the research done to prepare a parent to find the the best school for their child. Pirl has given parents of the Islands' children a wonderful way of educating themselves so that may choose the school which best suits their child's individual needs.

"POLYNESIAN INTERCONNECTIONS" celebrates the unity of one Polynesian family related to Europeans, Asians and Aborigines Africans through their ancient heritage and genetics. The term Polynesian means 'many islands' or 'many races.' The Polynesians came from an ancient family of intermixed races and today we share our 'ohana' with all peoples of the world. We are one family, the human family, the Polynesian family. To the world we say 'ALOHA' and may the love and spirit of family bring happiness and prosperity into our lives.

Polynesian Interconnections is a mix of the latest scientific information,mixed with Archaeology, Anthropology, Biology, Morphology, Genetics & Linguistics to educate and to analyze the inter-relatedness of the Polynesian people from Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, Marquesas, and the Cook Islands. Author, AhChing, looked for the most current research from the University of Hawai'i to write this book; his style makes for easy reading that is both enjoyable and thought provoking. The book also has its share of drama, as it seeks to address topics that those outside of the Polynesian community might not have known were so controversial... like the idea of a Samoan playing the lead role of Kamehameha the Great, if a movie were ever to be made. Polynesian Interconnections addresses this issue along with many others, and Author, AhChing clearly states his perspective. The editorial reviews for his book state, "This book should be read by all school age children & discussed with friends & family. A great education reference book and a solid foundation for tomorrow's generation." Pick up a copy and decide for yourself.

Polynesian Interconnections. 2004 books are now in the Hawaii State Archives 2005. (1) These books were featured on Hawaii State-wide KHON 2, Channel 2 morning news, October 12, 2004. (2) Hawaii State Archives, library collections. October 6, 2004. (3) Hawaii Medical Library, Queens Medical Center, Honolulu. November 1, 2004. (808-536-9302). (4) University of Hawaii Library System Network (808-956-8111). This is a tremendous accomplishment for a well written book which seeks to educate and entertain. Well done!

A delightful read! This book is quite an interesting read for my husband and I. We visit Hawaii every year and we always wondered about the native people of the Polynesian islands who danced and entertained us while vacationing. We have a delightful understanding who the Polynesians are now through this easy to comprehend yet captivating book written by Peter Leiataua AhChing. A great educational piece of Hawaiian and Polynesian literature which seeks to educate about the Polynesian islands and the native peoples. Well the Kamehameha movie should be very interesting for all Polynesians, especially to Samoans and Hawaiians.

I also recommend:?(1) The Legends and Myths of Hawaii. (2) Polynesian Interconnections, 2nd edition at Lulu Press, Inc. Great reading material.

Awesome educational book, wow! This book clearly explains things about the Polynesian islands that were for a long time a blur, a mystery or confused by many people and Polynesians at large, like us in California. We live in San Francisco but we love Hawaii and its local people. We got this book from the Book Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc. and we are happy that it's now selling nationwide for all the world to read about the people of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Marquesas, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and their connections.

It has drama and controversy that is later resolved, it is a controversy in Hawaii that we never knew about until reading this book. It was definitely an interesting read and a great book for native Polynesians to understand how their islands are related to each other. Great work Mr. Peter Leiataua AhChing, continue the good work. Hope Dwayne Johnson does make the King Kamehameha movie. We would definitely go see it in the theatres. Can't wait to read your next book.

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.

Duke Kahanamoku, widely regarded as the person who spread the popularity of modern surfing, also won six Olympic medals over the course of swimming career. This fascinating book tells the story of Duke's upbringing on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu and his quick progression up the ranks to become Hawaii's fastest young swimmer and later an Olympic champion. He also promoted the sport of surfing, which was previously only known in Hawaii, in Australia and the United States, and he introduced the idea of using surfboards for rescue and lifeguard operations. Woven throughout the interesting biographical account are powerful economics lessons related to scarcity and discrimination. Financial constraints and barriers associated with racism contributed to the challenges that Duke faced in his quest to compete internationally and become the "fastest swimmer in the world."

Who brought surfing to Australia? Who invented the Hawaiian flutterkick? Who was the first Hawaiian to win an Olympic medal? Who was sheriff of Oahu for over two decades? Who championed the use of a paddleboard for ocean rescues?

Duke Kahanamoku, that's who.


Ellie Crowe describes Kahanamoku's accomplishments in her book, Surfer of the Century: The Life of Duke Kahanamoku. The writing is concise, and the illustrations by Richard Waldrep are very complementary to the text. By its very nature, this book is a summary, meant as a general overview of Kahanamoku, probably for kids aged 10-12, but interesting for all who want to know more about Duke.

Kahanamoku is really a "feel good" story, and Crowe makes note of both his insecurities and his extraordinary accomplishments.

Read this one with your keiki.

Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic gold medalist, the father of modern surfing, and an icon of Hawaiian culture.

Crowe tells the story of Kahanamoku's boyhood in Honolulu where daily swims in the ocean developed his strength and technique. Qualifying for the Stockholm Olympics in 1912, he made friends with another American athlete, Jim Thorpe.

Duke almost missed his first Olympic race because he overslept. In a wonderful display of Olympic spirit, his chief competitor, Cecil Helay, from Australia, refused to swim unless the officials let Duke compete. Such magnanimity is hard to imagine in today's endorsement rich, high-stakes winner-takes-home the-Wheaties-box environment.

He popularized surfing and promoted Hawaii all his life. Duke's Creed of Aloha is a fitting ending to an excellent biography of a man who always exhibited good sportsmanship and Olympic ideals.

Richard Waldrep perfectly illustrates the story with wonderous full color illustrations that evoke vintage art deco travel posters.

This is such an interesting story! My 9-year-old son read it all in one sitting, which is rare! It's about Duke Kahanamoku, the swimmer and surfer who brought surfing to the world. It's fascinating to read about how he went to Australia and the aussies were amazed to see him ride waves on a board. His trials to get into the Olympics as a swimmer are also really interesting- Duke had such an unusual life. The book is very well-written, and each story from Duke's life draws you in. The illustrations are really nice too- lots of blue ocean. It's a very attractive book, with different colored pages where the writing is, which is something I haven't seen in a book before. Gorgeous!

This (true) story is an inspiration to adults and children, alike. And it is beautifully illustrated to boot. I found the book on a trip to Hawaii and fell in love with the images. I was familiar with Duke Kahanamoku, but not with all the details of his life. I was therefore pleased to learn so much from this story, aimed at children. Well written. My friends' kids loved it. I bought two copies for myself; one to keep and one to cut up and frame, as the illustrations are so exceptionally lovely.

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.