Hawaii247.com | Hawaii 24/7

Finn Gallager | Hawaii 24/7 Student Reporter

This book is a very interesting history of the famous battle of Nu’uanu. From all of the information of the battle positions and movements of the warriors to the oddly shaped but awesome weapons, Neil Bernard Dukas writes the perfect Hawaiian information guide for this battle of Nu’uanu.

What I thought that was most interesting about this book is that it included several photographs from today, paintings and drawings of the battle and the warriors, and lots of maps to tell you what happened where, where to go to see each cliff, valley parts, and vantage points of the battle.

I liked the book, but I would much rather experience the actual historical landmarks of Nu’uanu then read about it and imagine it.

What I really didn’t find appealing in this book is that it didn’t have a lot of feeling in the writing, but then again what informational guide has that feeling in the writing? Maybe that’s what the author meant. Now I have to go see it for myself to understand the real feeling.

But overall I would say this book deserves 4 Hawaiian thumbs up.

(Gallagher is a freshman at Konawaena High School. He enjoys playing tennis, playing video games and reading. He counts Dan Brown among his favorite authors and ‘Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing’ among his all-time favorite books.)

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MEDIA RELEASE

Mutual Publishing and historian Neil Bernard Dukas are proud to announce the publication of A Pocket Guide to the Battle of Nu‘uanu, an easy-to-follow and richly illustrated guide to this historic battle and its tragic conclusion.

Many are familiar with Herb Kawainui Kane’s iconic painting, “The Battle at Nu‘uanu Pali”, which depicts Kamehameha’s men driving Kalanikupule’s forces off the edge of the cliff. But fewer know that at the time, 1795, the Hawaiian armies rivaled that of the U.S. in tactical sophistication and far outnumbered them.

In fact, Dukas contends, the Battle of Nu‘uanu ranks along with Yorktown, New Orleans, the Alamo, Gettysburg, and Little Bighorn as one of the more momentous clashes of arms to have ever taken place on what is now American soil.

In this thoroughly researched book, Dukas describes Kalanikupule’s seizure of English merchant vessels, Kamehameha’s journey from the Big Island to Oahu, the initial clashes at the foot of Puowaina (Punchbowl), the death of Kaiana and evacuation of Kalanikupule, and the allied warriors’ final moments at the edge of the Pali.

Illustrations, historical and contemporary photographs, driving directions, and maps — along with a step-by-step account of the events of April and May 1795 — will help you recreate in your mind’s eye this bloody and pivotal battle, one of the major events leading to the unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

A Pocket Guide to the Battle of Nu‘uanu will be released by Mutual Publishing on Aug. 1, 2010, and retails for $9.95. Available for sale wherever books are sold.

Neil Bernard Dukas, author of A Military History of Sovereign Hawaii (Mutual Publishing 2004), researches and writes about the military history of Hawaii, focusing on the years prior to annexation.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, he has a bachelor’s degree in political studies from Queens University, and a master’s degree in humanities from California State University Dominguez Hills. A former Dean of Instruction at Heald College (Honolulu Campus), Dukas is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the National Coalition of Independent Scholars.

He is also an avid hiker, conservancy advocate, and horseman.

— Find out more:
www.mutualpublishing.com

“On July 9, 1958, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake struck Lituya Bay, Alaska, dislodging approximately 40 million cubic yards of rock from the surrounding mountainsides. This landslide generated the largest wave ever recorded in human history. The mega-tsunami that decimated Lituya Bay up-rooted trees over 1,700 feet above sea level. Because of its remoteness only two lives were lost.

The Big Island of Hawaii is literally surrounded by under-sea landslides of colossal size. Many of these slides displaced thousands of cubic kilometers of water, generating mega-tsunamis of unimaginable dimensions. Scientists have recently identified tsunami deposits left by these incredible waves over 1,600 feet above the ancient sea level. While the most recent mega-tsunami to strike the Hawaiian Islands happened approximately 100,000 years ago, that doesn’t mean another one couldn’t happen tomorrow. When it does, there may not be any warning.” — The Wave, Tom Miller

Finn Gallagher | Hawaii 24/7 Student Reporter

This book was very rich with science information, also packing in enough adventure and suspense to send the human mind racing through the next chapters.

The main characters, Chuck and Scott, have been together through a lot, their cutting edge personalities and determined attitudes make them perfect for this book. I almost wish that I could emulate Scott’s risky actions or smart ass remarks; he seems to know just what would work in their adventures.

As a resident of the state of Hawaii, it was very interesting and at the same time frightening. What is interesting about this is I have been to many places these characters go to. What I found frightening is that a tsunami like this could actually take place.

Toward the end of the book, I thought it was good that the author shortened the stories of people who had been affected by the tsunami to create the most suspence.

What I didn’t like about this book was that the author didn’t tell what happened to certain characters at the end. (But I won’t spoil it by saying any more.)

If I was thinking from the author’s point of view, I would be thinking to create the a lot of suspense so its builds up so that the people would be asking for more so then I would write a second book. And I would want to read another book by Tom Miller about Chuck and Scott.

As a resident of Hawaii, reading a story about a massive disaster that basically causes the destruction of my state was very uncomfortable, but also exhilarating.

I would definitely recommend this book to people who would like a good thriller, also to people who are interested in tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes.

Now that I have read this book, I will be paying closer attention to tsunami and volcano warnings!

(Gallagher is a freshman at Konawaena High School. He enjoys playing tennis, playing video games and reading. He counts Dan Brown among his favorite authors and ‘Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing’ among his all-time favorite books.)

— Find out more:
www.megatsunami2012.com

Date: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 10

The Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) host the book sale on the lanai of the Kailua-Kona Library.

Proceeds from sales help support the needs of the Kona libraries, with funding that includes educational and entertainment programs, community summer reading programs, visiting authors, magazine subscriptions, CD’s, DVD’s and new book purchases.

Come and stock up for your summer reading and as always volunteers are welcome. If you find yourself willing and able, call 322-0077.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) hosts its next book sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 8 on the lanai of the Kailua-Kona Library.

Funds from sales help support the needs of Kona libraries, with funding that includes educational and entertainment programs, community summer reading programs, visiting authors, magazine subscriptions, CD’s, DVD’s and new book purchases.

Come and take advantage of great prices and as always volunteers are welcome. If you find yourself willing and able, call 322-0077.

* Angel Reading with Elena Athena
Date: April 23 @ 11 AM – 3 PM
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop Lanai
Come and hear what your angels have to say to you. Angels are powerful, wise and loving guides who can motivate and heal you in many ways. Elena Athena, an “Angel Reading Practitioner”, is a clairvoyant intuitive who will help you in giving a clear direction and tools in your spiritual journey. She is an Advanced Certified Angel therapist by Doreen Virtue. Readings will typically be 15 minutes for $20.

* The Whipper-Snapper-Popcorn-Club
Date: April 23 @ 2PM
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop
This book group is perfect for the 8 – 12 year old reader. This group meets once a month on a furlough Friday to read and discuss books. This month’s book will be “The Mysterious Benedict Society” by Trenton Lee Stewart (book available at Kona Stories for $6.99). As these heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all? Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society. This group is free and all are welcome to join in…..yes best of all we eat popcorn!

* Talk Story with Mars Cavers
Date: April 24 @ 1 PM
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop
Come join us as we talk story with Mars Cavers, Wayne Stier’s life partner about his last book “Stars when the Sun Shines”. Wayne Stier was an actor, writer, sculptor, humorist, teacher, world traveler, whose mission in life was to look and to see, wherever he was, whoever he met, whatever he was doing. He published three previous books and numerous magazine articles. “Stars when the Sun Shines” is available at Kona Stories for $18.95.

* Just the Facts Book Club
Date: April 27 @ 6:30 PM
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop
This month’s book discussion will be on “The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives”, by Leonard Mlodinow (book available at Kona Stories for $15.00). This book is a magnificent exploration of the role that chance plays in our lives. Often historical, occasionally hysterical, and consistently smart and funny, this book challenges everything we think we know Join us for this evening of book talk…it’s free and everyone is welcome to join.

* Feldenkrais Class
Date: April 28 @ 11 AM
Where: Kona Stories Ohana Room
This class taught by Debra Lerman has been exploring and teaching movement for more than 30 years. She holds degrees in dance and physical therapy, and over the past 10 years has practiced as a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner. Class fee is $15 drop in or $40 per month.

* Qi Gong Class
Date: April 28 @ 4:30PM – 6 PM
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop Ohana Room
This Qigong class will be taught by John W. Adams, L.Ac. This introductory class is appropriate for all levels and will focus on the eight pieces of Brocade Qigong. You will work on regulation of the body, the breath and the mind. Class fee is $50 per month or $15 drop in.

* Angel Reading with Elena Athena
Date: April 30 @ 11 AM – 3 PM
Where: Kona Stories Book Shop Lanai
Come and hear what your angels have to say to you. Angels are powerful, wise and loving guides who can motivate and heal you in many ways. Athena, an “Angel Reading Practitioner”, is a clairvoyant intuitive who will help you in giving a clear direction and tools in your spiritual journey. She is an Advanced Certified Angel therapist by Doreen Virtue. Readings will typically be 15 minutes for $20.

For more information, call Kona Stories at 324-0350 or visit the website at www.konastories.com

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The Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) will hold a Book Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 13 on the lanai of the Kailua-Kona Library.

This is a special clearance sale for paperback books. Come take advantage of great prices while supporting your public libraries.

Funds from these sales help provide funding that includes educational and entertainment programs, community summer reading programs, visiting authors, magazine subscriptions, CD’s, DVD’s and new book purchases. Keiki ID will be offered by the Kona Masonic Lodge.

Volunteers are desperately needed to assist with the sale and preparations. If you find yourself willing and able, please email FOLK@folkhawaii.com or call 322-0077.

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Date: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 @ 6:30 PM
Location: Kona Stories Bookstore, Kainaliu

This woman-identified group meets at Kona Stories once a month to discuss films and books of lesbian nature. This month the group will watch the film “Gender Rebel” and discuss it.

Director Elaine Epstein’s captivating documentary explores the lives of three biological females who reject the conventional concepts of gender and see themselves not as female or male, but something in between. The camera follows these individuals as they encounter challenges at every turn — from the strain on their relationships to confrontations from communities intolerant of their way of life — and find a way to cope with social alienation.

Film donation is $5; bring a pupu or beverage to share.

For more information on this group, call Kona Stories at 808-324-0350.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Friends of the Libraries, Kona will host a free read-aloud program, “Books are Building Blocks,” 4:30-6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2 at the Kailua Kona Public Library.

Parents must attend the program with their children. Participation is limited to the first 75 people.

The program is designed to encourage family literacy. There will be five separate reading groups: ages 5 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 13, 14 to 18, and their parents. Each group will have a person reading aloud to them, followed by a discussion of what was read.

Registration is 4:30 p.m. in front of the library. Families will then separate into groups with a reader. Afterward, the families will meet on the lanai for free refreshments, prizes and books.

To preregister, volunteer, sponsor this program, or for more information, contact Shani Dutton at 936-6190 or e-mail folk@folkhawaii.com.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Friends of the Libraries, Kona (FOLK) will hold its next book sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 on the lanai of the Kailua-Kona Library.

Funds from sales help support the needs of Kona libraries, with funding that includes educational and entertainment programs, community summer reading programs, visiting authors, magazine subscriptions, CD’s, DVD’s and new book purchases.

Take advantage of great prices and as always volunteers are welcome. If you find yourself willing and able, e-mail FOLK@folkhawaii.com or call 329-3440.

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island author Sophia V. Schweitzer will be at the Kohala and Kaloko branches of Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union this holiday season to autograph her new book, “Big Island Journey, An Illustrated Narrative of The Island of Hawaii.”

Released in November by Mutual Publishing, “Big Island Journey” is a coffee table book that Schweitzer collaborated on with photo editor and publisher Bennett Hymer.

In celebration of the book’s launch, Mutual Publishing has partnered with The Food Basket and Hawaii Community FCU on a special introductory offer of $26 per book, including tax. The introductory rate applies exclusively to books purchased at a credit union branch or at The Food Basket offices in Hilo or Kona; it is good through Dec. 31.

Available at any of Hawaii Community FCU’s branches, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Big Island Journey” will benefit The Food Basket.

Books are also available via mail order by downloading an order form found at www.hicommfcu.com

Schweitzer will be available to autograph books at the Kohala branch 10 a.m.-noon Monday, Nov. 30 and 3:30-5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Also, Schweitzer will sign books 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Kaloko branch.

The 256-page “Big Island Journey” uses vintage archival images and the author’s story-telling skills to capture the history of the Island of Hawaii from early Polynesian settlement through the 21st century. This is the most recent of Mutual Publishing’s “nostalgic picture” books, driven by the passion of photo editor Hymer for vintage photographs.

The books are available in other stores, with a suggested retail price of $40.

“We are very pleased to offer Hawaii residents the opportunity to purchase ‘Big Island Journey’ at our five branches,” says Michael Asam, President/CEO of Hawaii Community FCU. “With the holidays coming, book lovers should take advantage of this special offer and make two gifts out of one purchase – benefiting both someone on their gift list and needy residents who turn to The Food Basket for assistance.”

The Food Basket is a clearinghouse for food and non-food items that are then distributed around Hawaii Island to help alleviate hunger. It is the credit union’s designated charity in 2009 and 2010.

— Find out more:

www.hicommfcu.com

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Dorothy Hinshaw Patent will be on hand to talk of her adventures from Alaska to Ecuador and China to France at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Kailua-Kona Public Library.

Dorothy has been writing nonfiction books for children for 35 years.  Her passion for personal experience about her subject matter has led her far and wide as she investigates everything from polar bears to the fauna of the Galapagos Islands and from the terra cotta warriors of China’s first emperor to the fabulous prehistoric paintings of the Lascaux cave in France.

Dorothy will accompany her talk with a slide show illustrating her adventures.

Sponsored by Friends of the Libraries, Kona, this program is offered free to the public.

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The American Folklore Society has awarded “Naupaka” the 2009 Aesop Prize for Children’s Folklore, authored by the late Nona Beamer.

Published by Kamahoi Press, an arm of Bishop Museum Press, “Naupaka” tells the legendary tale of two villagers and their love for each other.

In this loving testament to her legacy of storytelling, Beamer tells of a time long, long ago, when a romance blossomed between “Naupaka,” a kind and beautiful Hawaiian princess, and Kaui, a handsome and gentle commoner.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Caren Keala Loebel-Fried and includes an audio CD featuring Nona Beamer with musical accompaniment by slack-key master, Keola Beamer.

The Aesop Award Committee, which praised its bilingual presentation, stated, “Naupaka, released shortly after (Aunty Nona’s) death, reflects her care not only in retelling the story, but in providing cultural context, botanical details and sources for further research.”

The Aesop Prize and Aesop Accolades are conferred annually by the Children’s Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society.

The award criteria include:  Folklore should be central to the books’s content and, if appropriate, to its illustrations; the folklore presented in the book should accurately reflect the culture and worldview of the people whose folklore is the focus of the book; the reader’s understanding of folklore should be enhanced by the book, as should be enhanced by the presence of folklore; the book should reflect the high artisitic standards of the best of children’s literature and have strong appeal to the child reader; and folklore sources must be fully acknowledged and annotations referenced within the bound contents of the publication.

“We are delighted that ‘Naupaka’ has received this prestigious award,” said Bishop Museum President & CEO, Timothy Johns. “This award not only gives national attention to the legend of Naupaka, but also honors the late Aunty Nona who was an iconic figure of the Hawaiian cultural renaissance.”

Written in both English and Hawaiian, “Naupaka” is available at Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica and other fine booksellers throughout the islands.

Bishop Museum Press is Hawaii’s oldest book publisher and one of the first scholarly publishers in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about Bishop Museum, visit www.bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 847-3511.