Hawaiian Holiday Hot Picks

By Liza Simon | OHA Public Affairs Specialist

As a way of saying “Mele Kalikimaka”, consider the old truism that a book is a gift that can be opened again and again. For those in the book biz, this is the reality that turns December into primetime. Asked which Hawaiian-themed books are hot in this season of gift-giving, several local booksellers noted three main categories: Hawaiian history, home-based Hawaiian cultural activities and locally-authored material for keiki of all ages (including your “inner keiki”). As one local publisher put it, these are “comfort books”; they have a purpose that outlasts the tinsel season. It also looks like local authors are obliging these tastes with a flurry of books released in the later half of this year. Ka Wai Ola highlights some of these with an eye to helping you select the right read for Hawaiian-style booklovers on your list:

CULTURAL HISTORY

Kepelino's Traditions of Hawai'i

Edited by Martha Warren Beckwith
Bishop Museum Press

This compendium of cultural information, authored by Kepelino, a descendant of the priestly line of Pa'ao, trains a rarifed lens on many little known aspects of mid-19th century life in Hawai'i. Educated by the Catholic church, Kepelino seemed to have an ever-curious journalist's eye for daily events in recording intricacies of government, cosmology, religion and social structure. (Sample his description of elaborate protocol involved in bringing of gifts or his savvy explanations of the Hawaiian calendar.) Originally published in 1932, this new reprint of Kepelino's Traditions of Hawai'i is highly accessible with side-by-side Hawaiian-English translation along with notes by Mary Kawena Pukui and a new introduction by contemporary Native Hawaiian scholar Noelani Arista.

The Story of Lāna'i

By George C. Munro
Privately Published

The Story of Lāna'i offers the recollections of George C. Munro, who served as manager of the Lāna'i Ranch from 1911 until 1928. He was also an avid naturalist and historian, as evidenced in the thoughtful observations he recorded about everyday life on the island. Munro's memories are accompanied by remarkable photographs and genealogies of Lāna'i families plus a map complete with long-forgotten Hawaiian place names. Perhaps the book serves notice that “Pineapple Isle” — the island's 20th century nickname — is a misnomer that belies a vibrant Hawaiian past. Munro's descendants — grandson Richard Towill and great-grandson Rick Towill —put the book together, intending it to be a gift to the Lāna'i community.

Vaka Moana Voyages of the Ancestors:
The Discovery and Settlement of the Pacific

Edited by K.R. Howe
University of Hawai'i Press

The settlement of the islands of the Pacific involved the greatest human migration of history. Now the story can be told — and certainly it is in Vaka Moana, a richly woven tapestry of articles and art that testifies to the ingenuity and bravery of the world's top navigators. Legends passed down through generations have described the firm intent of those who ventured into unknown seas. Now there is even new scientific evidence of systemic commerce and contact between the people of far-flung islands in the Pacific. This voluminous account offers these perspectives and many more, contributed by modern navigational authorities including UH Anthropology Professor Ben Finney and Maori Professor of Indigenous Studies Rawiri Taonui.

FOR THE KEIKI

Kana'iaupuni Series

By David Kawika Eyre
Illustrated by Imaikalani Kalahele

“Kamehameha played hard, smiled wide and spent much of the day rushing about out of breath.”…. So begins an adventure in Lumpy Poi and Twisting Eels, that tells the story of the boy who would grow up to be the Conqueror of the Islands. This is actually the second in what will be an entire 12-volume Kana'iaupuni Series — still a work-in-progress. Kids will like the heroic action. Teachers and parents will also enjoy these books because they offer a treasury of insights, based on authentic Hawaiian chants, lullabies and proverbs.

Kai the 'Opihi Gets the Point

By Gail Omoto, Jan and Judy Dill
Self-Published

Here's the plot in a nutshell…er…make that a seashell: Kai is a sad 'opihi who struggles with his fear of the ocean. His sea creature friends try to help him, but it is his grandmother's wisdom that truly makes a difference. Penned by the director of Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool, Kai the 'Opihi imaginatively mixes a cute character's mishaps with the comforting rescue of a kupuna. The end result is an enjoyable read, especially if you are in the habit — and a good habit it is — of reading to keiki.

From Aloha to Zippy's

By Carol Cobath
Bess Press

This gem of a little book teaches the ABCs by using images of daily details unique to island life. Making the details extra delightful, every page contains a door, which the child opens in order to find that special Hawai'i person, place or thing that the letter stands for: So it goes: “U” is for uncle; “L” is for Longs; “C” is for…(ready for the squeal of surprise)….cockroach! Clever in a kid-friendly way, even the illustrations seem to project personalities that will resonate with young ones and set the stage for making reading as fun as this fun approach to learning the ABCs — Hawai'i style.

Tūtū Hamana: The Shaka Sign Story

By Robert Lono 'Ikuwā
Self-published
www.napuke.com

It would be hard to find a Hawai'i youngster who doesn't know the shaka sign. But how many know the story of the shaka? It turns out that it is a story of 'ohana and inspiration. It's all wrapped up with vintage photos of old Lā'ie town and delivered to keiki in a slim little volume that comes with a retail twist for Kanaka Maoli: The Shaka Sign story comes in Japanese, English and Hawaiian. Pickup the Hawaiian version at Na Mea Bookstore in Honolulu and you will receive a 10 percent discount.

HOME-BASED ACTIVITIES

Hawai'i Cooks with Taro

By Marcia Zina Mager, Muriel Miura, Alvin S. Huang, Ph.D.
Mutual Publishing

This cookbook is devoted solely to kalo — the life-force food of Kanaka Maoli. Sticklers for kalo eaten as two-finger poi may not want to jump on board with something like “Poi Boats with Vanilla Cream Filling.” But there is bound to be something to please every palate in the more than 100 recipes contributed by island chefs, cooks, nutritionists and homemakers, who showcase the versatility of kalo, suitable for any meal. Also nourishing for the mind, the book offers lovely imagery and cooking tips plus the spice of historical perspectives on kalo cultivation and 'ōlelo no'eau.

The Hawaiian Quilt: The Tradition Continues

By Poakalani Serrao, John Serrao, Cissy Serrao, Raelene Correia
Mutual Publishing

Family members who authored this book have long made quilting a family affair: for more than a decade they have sewn, sold and taught the art. This is their sixth volume depicting the uniqueness of Native Hawaiian quilt-making. While not a “how-to” book for the neophyte, it is a “must-have” for those talented types who stitch up their patterns with passion. In giving the story behind each of the 68 featured designs, the book reminds us that there really are no short-cuts to the thousands of hours it takes to reconstruct ti, 'ulu, ipu or other favorite Hawaiian images with needle, thread — and spools and spools of patience.

Hawaiian Massage: Lomilomi

By R. Makana Risser Chai
Self-published

Traditional Hawaiian massage is more than skin-deep; it's an art, a spiritual practice, a prayer — according to the 35 traditional lomilomi practitioners whose healing touches are described as well as artfully photographed in this book. Topics covered go beyond body-work to include concepts such as lomilomi's place in everyday family life and in mediation (that's right, not meditation) as a way to ho'oponopono — or settle disputes. Rounding out the philosophy, there is also a list of lomilomi practitioners and techniques, plus historical information.