Hawaii Books

I was fortunate to hear Hara present a reading of An Offering of Rice while traveling in Hawaii. Her prose and poetry moved me as she reflected on her diverse experiences ranging from her culture to her cancer to her adopted daughter. I have since read the entire book and reread select passages, which like rice, can be consumed over and over to provide basic sustenance for dealing with life.

I have been wanting this book for a long time. When I finally got it I was not disappointed at all. I like that other cultures are represented in this book also. This is a wonderful book.

Hazama and Komeiji have written a very compelling history of the early Japanese immigrants and their posterity in Hawai'i. In addition to discussing the experiences and attitudes towards Japanese on the Hawai'ian Islands, Hazama and Komeiji show the history between Japan and the United States, Japan and Hawai'i, and Hawai'i and the United States, raising compelling questions of loyalty, ethnicity and patriotism. A highly recommended resource for any student or history lover.

Okinawan Diaspora, in a collection of illuminating essays, recounts lost and found Okinawan treasure: from ancient kingdom relics to a people's identity subsumed and redefined to their history largely under-known. It depicts the Okinawans persevering through the fall of their ancient kingdom, Japanese colonialism, the hardships of emigration, World War II internment, and U.S. military occupation of their homeland. Each contributor enlightens the reader regarding Okinawan perseverance. One uses oral history to describe, for example, how World War II internees made traditional instruments out of tin cans in the camps, creatively living their heritage with limited means in oppressive environments. Another focuses on the endurance of Okinawan culture and resistance through the eisaa dance. From the positive ramifications of Okinawan (Uchinanchu) spirit to the atrocity of World War II internees welcomed to America with insecticide, the Okinawan experience finds a riveting portrayal in this book.

As Okinawa held a unique place in the Asian Pacific as "the bridge to all nations," Nakasone and the book's contributors provide a bridge between the Okinawan experience and the disparate reader-the scholar, Okinawans scattered throughout the world seeking connection to their heritage, as well as any person interested in a fascinating account of an oppressed, resilient people. Okinawan Diaspora serves as a model of the fluidity of national identity and of how transnational forces affect the diasporic experience. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's cultural identity through pilgrimage. Nakasone, in the final essay, takes the reader along with him and family elders to Okinawa's sacred sites. The reader finishes the book with a strong sense that Okinawans, with as much as they have lost throughout history, continue to maintain the ancient Uchinanchu spirit of helping others, living as a cooperative community, and sparking the greatness of their lost kingdom through remembrance of their diasporic story.

Jack London travelled extensively through the Southern Seas, living exciting but often frightening adventures that he later reflected on his short stories. London, a troubled adventurer who committed suicide, had a special sensibility to perceive, mix and express the juxtaposure of beauty and horror which reigned in non- or semi-civilized islands of the South Pacific. Frequently, his tales talk about the brutal confrontation between the white people and the aborigines, sometimes taking one side, sometimes the other, but most often simply depicting the sad consequences of the relationship. One exception to this is the tale that gives its name to this collection: "On the Makaloa Mat" is an extremely beautiful story about two Hawaiian sisters of mixed descent (3/4 white, 1/4 indigenous), from a very wealthy and noble family. Bella, the elder sister, tells the story of her one and only love, of course an unfortunate one. The story abounds in depictions of the lush landscapes of the Hawaiian islands, and of the strange social life of mid-XIX century. It is tragic but sweet, and I'd be surprised if someone hated it. Other tales are not sweet at all, like "The Chinago", about the absurd execution of a Chinese laborer; "The Terrible Solomon Islands", about a cruel joke played on a naïve Englishman by brutal colonists; "Koolua the leper", a short but epic story about man's indomitable lust for freedom, even in the most adverse and tragic circumstances; and "The inevitable white man", a bloody, horrific and dark tale of adventures.

The stories abound with murders, blood and cruelness, but they're never cheap or vulgar. In fact, I give them five stars because I consider them to be masterpieces of storytelling. London has no mercy, but beneath the surface his characters are full of life, that plenty, wild life embedded in the white men who conquered the world, and the aborigines which suffered the conquest. Extremely recommended.

This Book is still one of a kind. Since it was published in 1970, it is still the only reliable Book which gives the complete Text of three Wayang Kulit (Javanese Shadow Puppet) Lakon (Plays). "The Reincanation of Rama" from the Ramayana and "Irawan's Wedding" and "The Death of Karna" from the Mahabharata. The Book begins with a fine introduction to Wayang, the Plays, Performance and Translation. The translation from Javanese was rendered by Pandam Guritno, one of the froemost Javanese Wayang Scholars of all time, whom I knew personally. Next follow the texts of the three Plays, which include 143 illustrations. James Brandon has also included descriptions of the action that takes place and the musical pieces that are played. The reader can thus review three performances through reading. At the end of the Book are useful Appendices, Notes on Sources, a good Glossary and a now outdated Bibliography. This Book is useful for those who are interested in Wayang, Javanese Culture, Theater Arts, Sanskrit Literature and many other subjects. That is what makes Wayang so wonderful. It is many things in one.

Like July 4, 1776, this is another excellent collection of articles by many different authors. R. Carlisle is primarily the editor. He is author of some of the book but not all.

From back cover:

an art book about Hawaii and its famous orchids
41 orchid paintings and drawings by John Thomas
16 pages in full color
29 poems and essay by Harvey Hess
foreward by Betty Hoag McGlynn, art historian


"Here is the lyricism, the soulful mystique of Hawaii -- captured in the single subject of orchids and beautifully articulated by Harvey Hess' lyrical poetry and John Thomas' exquisite art." - Sara Terry, Christian Science Monitor

"A MAN THAT HAS TRAVELED KNOWETH MANY THINGS."
Ecclesiasticus, XXXIV, 9

"Orient Holiday:
A Guide To Travel In Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Okinawa, Taiwan, Viet Nam, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaya, Indonesia, Burma (renewly known as Myanmar), Ceylon, India.

"Note: Every effort has been made to furnish the latest and most accurate information.
Prices are quoted in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified.
Due to price changes and currency fluctuation, they may very.
They are included here only to give you a general idea of costs, and are not intended as firm price quotations....."

"When you travel aboard an American President Lines ship, you have two vacations!
One vacation you find in the gracious, unhurried stmosphere of shipboard life... the other vacation comes in the thrill of going ashore.

This guide is to help you get the most out of both vacations...."
[from the book]

If you are a present or past member of the OCC, and still retain an interest in the club, this book is a must read. Extremely well researched, organized and written. The numerous old photos of Oahu are priceless.