Hawaii Books

The Curse of Lono

Hunter S. Thompson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Very large! 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

WHile I was aware that this book was illustrated, I was not aware of the fact that it is huge! I thought it would be an illustrated, regular novel-size book. Instead it's about A3 size, and very heavy.. The pictures are great and all but if I had been aware of the size of this book I probably wouldn't have purchased it.

Editorial Review:

A wild ride to the dark side of Americana The Curse of Lono is to Hawaii what Fear and Loathing was to Las Vegas: the crazy tales of a journalist's "coverage" of a news event that ends up being a wild ride to the dark side of Americana. Originally published in 1983, Curse features all of the zany, hallucinogenic wordplay and feral artwork for which the Hunter S. Thompson/Ralph Steadman duo became known and loved. This curious book, considered an oddity among Hunter's oeuvre, was long out of print, prompting collectors to search high and low for an original copy. TASCHEN's signed, limited edition sold out before the book even hit the stores, but this unlimited version, in a different, smaller format, makes The Curse of Lono accessible to everyone.

Day Of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor

Robert Stinnett

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 129 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

It was not long after the first Japanese bombs fell on the American naval ships at Pearl Harbor that conspiracy theories began to circulate, charging that Franklin Roosevelt and his chief military advisors knew of the impending attack well in advance. Robert Stinnett, who served in the U.S. Navy with distinction during World War II, examines recently declassified American documents and concludes that, far more than merely knowing of the Japanese plan to bomb Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt deliberately steered Japan into war with America.

Stinnett's argument draws on both circumstantial evidence--the fact, for example, that in September 1940 Roosevelt signed into law a measure providing for a two-ocean navy that would number 100 aircraft carriers--and, more importantly, on American governmental documents that offer apparently incontrovertible proof that Roosevelt knowingly sacrificed American lives in order to enter the war on the side of England. Although obviously troubled by his discovery of a systematic plan of deception on the part of the American government, Stinnett does not take deep issue with its outcome. Roosevelt, he writes, faced powerful opposition from isolationist forces, and, against them, the Pearl Harbor attack was "something that had to be endured in order to stop a greater evil--the Nazi invaders in Europe who had begun the Holocaust and were poised to invade England." Sure to excite discussion, Stinnett's book offers what may be the final word on the terrible matter of Pearl Harbor. --Gregory McNamee

Island World: A History of Hawai'i and the United States (California World History Library)

Gary Y. Okihiro

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Editorial Review:

Brilliantly mixing geology, folklore, music, cultural commentary, and history, Gary Y. Okihiro overturns the customary narrative in which the United States acts upon and dominates Hawai'i. Instead, Island World depicts the islands' press against the continent, endowing America's story with fresh meaning. Okihiro's reconsidered history reveals Hawaiians fighting in the Civil War, sailing on nineteenth-century New England ships, and living in pre-gold rush California. He points to Hawai'i's lingering effect on twentieth-century American culture--from surfboards, hula, sports, and films, to art, imagination, and racial perspectives--even as the islands themselves succumb slowly to the continental United States. In placing Hawai'i at the center of the national story, Island World rejects the premise that continents comprise "natural" states while islands are "tiny spaces," without significance, to be acted upon by continents. An astonishingly compact tour de force, this book not only revises the way we think about islands, oceans, and continents, it also recasts the way we write about space and time.

At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor

Gordon W. Prange

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 43 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Slightly outdated ,requires revision 3 out of 5 stars.
10 of 15 people found this review helpful.

Gordon W. Prange studied Pearl Harbor raid ,events surrounding it, for 32 yrs.The outcome is this tome.

Author is vehemently critical on Adm Husban E. Kimmel (c-in-c Pacific Fleet) and Gen Walter C. Short( commander US Land Forces
,Hawaii). Both,according to him ,lacked qualities to command forces. They failed to show imagination,foresight at a time when things were becoming explosive in the Pacific.

This is untrue.Evidence shows upon the receipt of war warning message of Nov27,1941,Adm Kimmel mounted long range reconnaissance missions north of Hawaii to detect the presence of hostile ships within the strike radius of Pearl Harbor.Unfortunately Pacific Command never had sufficent planes at its disposal to maintain an all out vigil.This never would have happened if Washington officials not denuded Pacific fleet of its strength to fight an undeclared war against German U boats in the Atlantic. As a result critical gaps in the aircover remained which Japanese exploited.

Now we know two weeks prior to attack based on intelligence furnished Cdr Joseph J. Rochefort of Hypo(combat intelligence centre of US Navy located in Pearl Harbor naval yard)Kimmel instituted a search for Japanese carrier force operating north of Hawaii.He vectored the Pacific Fleet to an area from where Japanese planned to launch their surprise assault. But his efforts were frustrated. Once White House came to know about Kimmel's manoeuvre he was told to withdraw.This was in line with official order of turning north Pacific into a 'vacant sea'.Strangely this reversal of direction has been ignored by every Pearl Harbor enquiry held from 1941-46.Regretably,neither Kimmel nor his family could recall this sortie and its unfortunate reversal.Yet it provides exculpatory evidence because after the war Kimmel was accused of not conducting precisely this type of search.

Author says Japan's expansionist designs on east Asia made Pacific war inevitable.But it should be admitted ,as latest reaearch shows , regardless of Tokyo's ambitions US hatched a plan to push that nation on the road to war.As war raged in Europe and Africa ,threatning to engulf the world,a memorandum started circulating in the corridors of power in Washington.Written by Arthur H. McCollum (dated Oct7,1940 later called 8-ction memo)head of the Far Eastern Branch of ONI,it advocated a series of measures aimed at engineering a situation wherby Japan is force to attack American ground,naval,air,forces in Hawaaii as well as British and Dutch colonial outposts in the Pacific.With FDR's connivance the plan was put into effect.

Of particular importance to the defence of Hawaii were the crucial bomb plot messages . Its timely dispatch to Short,Kimmel would have stopped the Japanese attack on its tracks.Army radio intercept station MS 5 at Fort Shafter in Oaahu was regularly intercepting messages sent to Tokyo by Japanese spy ring which contained information on the where abouts of Pacific Fleet.Information sent on lowgrade ciphers was broken read by senior officers of US Army ,Naval intelligence.This clearly pointed to a Japanese intent to attack Pearl Harbor. Instead of promptly alerting the C in C PAC Washington officials sat on it.

It is military topbrass esconced in Washington who were unfit to exercise command.Are these men so obtuse,doltish that they failed to perceive the significance of these intercepts?Such an incredulous attitude stands to reason only if they had a hidden agenda.Unfortunately,author does not hold them fully accountable for Pearl Harbor defeat. We find this disturbing pattern emerging regarding other significant Japanese intercepts.Tokyo"s reply to American ultimatum of Nov 26,1941 which came in 14 parts
,decision to present Washington an ultimatum at 1pm EST all of which portended war.

I feel Prange's book , loaded with interesting facts and information, requires revision.History of Pearl harbor raid requires fresh interpretation ;facts which have emerged based on latest research have made this indispensible.Because if we are to believe authors like Stinnet,Toland Washington officials knew the attack was coming and they were awake.

More than 60 years have passed .Pearl Harbor raid and events surrouding it have continued to intrigue and fascinate me.I read Prange's book because I wanted to get different perspective on the subject.

Editorial Review:

At 7:53 a.m., December 7, 1941, America's national consciousness and confidence were rocked as the first wave of Japanese warplanes took aim at the U.S. Naval fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor. As intense and absorbing as a suspense novel, At Dawn We Slept is the unparalleled and exhaustive account of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is widely regarded as the definitive assessment of the events surrounding one of the most daring and brilliant naval operations of all time. Through extensive research and interviews with American and Japanese leaders, Gordon W. Prange has written a remarkable historical account of the assault that-sixty years later-America cannot forget.

Bustin' Down the Door: The Surf Revolution of '75

Shaun Tomson

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Editorial Review:

“You have to bust down the door before they hear ya knockin’.” —Rabbit

In the winter of 1975, South African and Australian upstarts Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew, and Mark Richards arrived in Hawaii with little else than their surfboards and their love of surfing. With courage, skill, and raw ambition, they not only set a new standard for wave riding, but also succeeded in transforming surfing from a casual lifestyle into a professional sport. Published to coincide with a documentary feature film narrated by Academy Award nominee Edward Norton, Bustin’ Down the Door tells the incredible story of these free ride pioneers.

With essays by the surfing legends themselves, along with previously unpublished photographs by award-winning photographers such as Dan Merkel, Bustin’ Down the Door re-creates the genesis of modern surfing from the perspective of the visionaries who turned their unlikely dreams into reality and revolutionized the sport of surfing.

A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands

Dr. Phil Barnes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Good text book ! 5 out of 5 stars.
21 of 25 people found this review helpful.

Last month in Waikiki, I bought this book together with some souvenirs at the famous ABC store.
Yes,You can find it easily.
It was the last day of my visit to Hawaii this time.
But,now I deeply regret not having read this book before I go to Hawaii!
If I read it prior to this travel,I am sure I could have enjoyed experiencing these magical islands more,feeling interested in its history.
I would like to recommend this book to all people planning to visit Hawaii.

Amazing surprise... A great and compelling read... 5 out of 5 stars.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.

In advance of my trip to Maui and Kauai, I felt like I needed a primer to help me understand the forces that shaped the islands' geography, biology, and culture. I had little expectation for this 88 pps book, but I bought it because it seemed the only reasonable choice available, and the title was exactly what I sought. When the book arrived I saw that it came from what appeared to be a cheesy vanity press... but I opened it up and was absolutely riveted from the first paragraph on. This is well-written, logically organized... an organic and concise telling of the history of the Hawaiian Islands, from volacanic formation to bio-diversity to the voyages of Melanesians and Tahitians who first came to these islands just 1500 years ago. I could not recommend this book heartily enough. It's great!

Editorial Review:

A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands covers the major events and personalities in Hawaiian history from the first human landfall through the sovereignty movement of the late 1990s The history comes to life through illustrations and interesting anecdotes. By investing a couple of hours the casual reader can greatly increase the depth of their understanding of the events that have shaped and continue to shape these magical islands.

So You Want to Live in Hawaii: The Guide to Settling and Succeeding in the Islands (Second Edition)

Toni Polancy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

For a balanced viewpoint..... 4 out of 5 stars.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful.

This is a really thorough compilation of information. Ms Polancy has done her homework. Like others, I found the book to be a bit negative, though, almost like the author was trying to convince her readers to look elsewhere for a place to live. The general ambiance of the book seemed to be well characterized by one reviewer, who said, "Hawaii's still lovely, but is fast becoming a crowded place for very rich people, leaving the rest of us to reconsider our options."

This reviewer, like Ms Polancy, speaks mainly about Maui and possibly Oahu. There is another option, where Aloha is still very much alive, people are friendly, employment opps abound and the whole Island is not on its way to being paved. It is covered in another book, "Affordable Paradise," that projects pretty much the opposite attitude from Polancy's book. Reviewers have said that they were disappointed in that it is mainly about the Big Island of Hawaii. Well, it's about "affordable" Hawaii, and that's the only part of Hawaii that still is affordable. Anyway, to read both books will give you a well-balanced view of the reality of living in Hawaii. The author of "Affordable Paradise" also devoted a whole chapter on reasons why not to move to Hawaii, pointing out that Hawaii is clearly not everyone's Paradise. We've seen enough recent transplants turn tail and return to the mainland to know that it's true.

Polancy's book includes lots of charts, statistics and other data you won't find in "Affordable Paradise."

If you add "Affordable Paradise" to your Hawaii collection, be sure to get the Third Edition. It has a lot more info and the real estate prices are fairly current.

Editorial Review:

Here's the first practical book about day-to-day life in Hawaii. A warts and wonders look at the jolts and joys of Paradise including 105 survival tips; 15 professions in search of workers now; charts,information and resource guides on schools, housing, business, retirement and even romance. Includes overview of life styles of each island. Over 100 photos and 16 pages of color photos. Concise and thorough, it's designed to help decide whether paradise is for you.

Ancient Hawaii

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Trip to the Past 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Before the grand hotels and resorts, before crowded beaches, before paved roads and cars... there was sacred Hawai'i of old.

Herb Kawainui Kane allows you through his words and mostly through his artwork to revisited old Hawai'i in its truest and purist form. It's a visual journey that details even the smallest things. Herb Kane does an excellent job at retelling a story almost forgotten... a spiritual and emotional journey experienced by all but so often unexplained until now.

Hawai'i was and is still a magical place and Herb Kane's work shows that better than most any other artist I've seen in Hawai'i. Herb's work allows you to take a differant kind of trip to paradise... the one that existed and flourished for a thousand years before discovery by Captain Cook.

Editorial Review:

How ancient Polynesian explorers found the Hawaiian Islands, the most remote in Earth's largest sea; how they navigated, how they viewed themselves and their universe, and the arts, crafts, and values by which they survived and prospered without metals or the fuels and inventions believed necessary for life today.

Shoal of Time: A History of the Hawaiian Islands

Gavan Daws

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Pure Truth 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must read for any one studying or interested in Hawaiian history. It is very detailed and the timeline of events is easy to follow. There are even specific names mentioned that helped a friend with his genealogy research.

Hawaiian History 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

We arrived on Oahu June of 2004 for a 3 year military tour. While one of the critics indicates this book does not fully explain the (in my own words) hostile take over of the Hawaiian monarchy, he also does not tell you that Hawaiian history while plentiful is not well published.

Unlike the American Civil war for which there are hundreds and thousands of volumes of work, there are just a handful of well written published Hawaiian history books. This is why the reviewer did not also suggest alternatives.

I was stunned by the limited amount of material available to read. And for the reviewer who criticized the incomplete research of the Hawaiian newspapers - I look forward to reading the book you write from this research. I hope the next decade brings more and more published work of this great island nation.

Shoal of Time does what few other books do. It gives a reasonably thorough look at Hawaiian history. It is a great place to start for those interested in Hawaiian history and a great diving board for those wishing to write their own works.

Again hundreds if not thousands of books on the American Civil war from 1861-1865. A handful of Hawaiian history books for the entire period of history.

I would celebrate if the the Sovereignty movement produced some well written books of their own. Instead, during our three years living and traveling throughout the islands, it was limited to a few newspaper articles and some protest type gatherings. There is a definite voice among the Hawaiian Nation movement, but one that is not clearly understood by the rest of the 49 states.

No one book can be all things to all people. This one is an excellent "history" book. Daws tells the story of Hawaii with his voice.

Hawaii is a story which isn't finished and the richness of its history leaves plenty of room for others to pick up their pen and bring it to life for those of us who are readers.

Editorial Review:

Gavan Daws' remarkable achievement is to free Hawaiian history from the dust of antiquity. Based on years of work in the documentary sources, Shoal of Time emerges as the most readable of all Hawaiian histories.

Starting with the Western discovery of the islands in 1778--on through the days of the whalers, the missionary period, the plantation era with its vast numbers of Oriental immigrants, to the fall of the Hawaiian monarchy, annexation by the United States, and the long, slow move to statehood--the characters and events of Hawaii's past shine with new vitality and immediacy.

Day of Infamy, 60th Anniversary: The Classic Account of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor

Walter Lord

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

There may not be a better book on what happened at Pearl Harbor than Day of Infamy--and it's not as if the Pearl Harbor story has lacked chroniclers. Walter Lord is best known for A Night to Remember, his book on the voyage of the Titanic. Day of Infamy deserves to stand beside that classic as a gripping narrative, and the subject matter, of course, is infinitely more important.

Lord begins by showing how Japanese admirals, three months before their notorious sneak attack, "tested the idea on the game board at the Naval War College." (It didn't go nearly as well there as it did in real life.) Then he proceeds briskly through the preparations for the assault and delivers a minute-by-minute account about those fateful hours in Oahu. The detail is incredible. The Japanese scan Hawaiian radio stations to see if their moves have been detected; a U.S. naval officer on "his first night on his first patrol on his first command" spots a Japanese submarine just hours before the strike; when the surprise attack finally does arrive, an excited Japanese commander shouts "Tora! Tora! Tora!" ("Victory!") before even the first bombs have fallen. The whole assault lasted about two hours. Thousands of Americans were killed or wounded. The Navy lost the U.S.S. Arizona, which blew up about 15 minutes into the raid, and 17 other ships were either sunk or crippled. Hundreds of planes were destroyed or damaged. The Japanese, by contrast, lost only 29 planes. It must be considered one of the most lopsided battles in all history--and "battle" probably isn't the best word to describe it. Pearl Harbor was closer to a massacre. Whatever the label, Pearl Harbor was a turning-point moment in American history, and it gave rise, the very next day, to some of the most famous words ever spoken by an American president: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked...." If you intend to read only a single book on Pearl Harbor, this is the one for you. --John J. Miller