Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 12, 1 December 2007 — HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY HOT PICKS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY HOT PICKS

By Liza Simūn | Public Affairs Specialist

As a way of saying "Mele Kalikiniaka", consider the old truism that a book is a gift that ean be opened again and again. For those in the book biz, this is the reality that turns December into primetime. Asked whieh Hawaiian-themed books are hot in this season of gift-giving, several loeal 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 loeal publisher put it, these are "comfort books"; they have a purpose that outlasts the tinsel season. It also looks like loeal authors are obliging these tastes with a flurry of books released in the later half of this year. Ka Wai 01 a 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 infonnation, 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 evercurious journalist's eye for daily events in recording intricacies of govermnent, cosmology, religion and social structure. (Sample his description of elaborate protoeol involved in bringing of gifts or his savvy explanations of the Hawaiian calendar.) Originally published in 1932, this new reprint of Kepelino 's Traditions ofHawai'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. Mumo, 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 plaee names. Perhaps the book serves notice that "Pineapple Isle" — the island's 20th century niekname — is a misnomer that belies a vibrant Hawaiian past. Mumo'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 hmnan migration of history. Now the story ean 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 ventmed 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 mueh 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 treasmy 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 oeean. 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 nūshaps with the comforting reseue 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, whieh the child opens in order to find that special Hawai'i person, plaee or thing that the letter stands for: So it goes: "U" is for unele; "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 tmns 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 volmne that comes with a retail twist for Kanaka Maoli: The Shaka Sign story comes in Iapanese, English and Hawaiian. Piekup the Hawaiian version at Na Mea Bookstore in Honolulu and you will receive a 10 percent discount. HOME-BASED ACTIVITIES Hawai'i Cooks wiih Taro By Marcia Zina Mager, Muiiel Miura, Alvin S. Huang, Ph.D. Mutual Publishing This eookhook is devoted solely to kalo — the life-force food of Kanaka Maoli. Sticklers for kalo eaten as two-finger poi may not want to jmnp 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 homemak-

ers, who showcase the versatility of kalo, suitable for any meal. Also nourishing for the nūnd, 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 Fanūly members who authored this book have long made quilting a fanūly affair: for more than a decade they have sewn, sold and taught the art. This is their sixth volmne 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 eaeh of the 68 featured designs, the book renūnds us that there really are no shortcuts to the thousands of homs it takes to reconstruct ti, 'ulu, ipu or other favorite Hawaiian images with needle, thread — and spools and spools of paūenee. 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 lonūlonū practitioners whose healing touches are described as well as artfully photographed in this book. Topics covered go beyond bodywork to include concepts such as lonūlonū's plaee in everyday family hfe 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 lonūlonū practitioners and techniques, plus historical infonnation. I

NĀ PUKE • B00KS