Favorite Hawaiian and Local Books

[BKHale2007]

Discuss Hawaiian and local literature here.

[Linkmeister]

Resuscitate this thread.

Here's a quote from a Carl Hiassen foreword (http://members.bellatlantic.net/~mwarble/slipf18/intro.htm) to a re-issue of one of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books:

Standard McGee commentary drips citric acid:

"Now, of course, having failed in every attempt to subdue the Glades by frontal attack, we are slowly killing it off by tapping the River of Grass. In the questionable name of progress, the state in its vast wisdom lets every two-bit developer divert the flow into drag-lined canals that give him 'waterfront' lots to sell..."

MacDonald wrote those words thirty years ago, long before most politicians knew or cared what an environmentalist was, or gave any thought to "saving" the Everglades, which is now a standard campaign anthem. More remarkably, MacDonald fit the splendid little diatribe into the mouth of a boat-bum private eye, and let him deliver it in the pages of a crime novel!

Hiassen himself writes satirical novels about Florida and its denizens.

My question is: Are there any Hawai'i'-based authors who write fiction which addresses the rapid growth and accompanying sleaze of this place we live? For non-fiction, Gavan Daws' Land and Power is probably the go-to book, but I've never heard of fiction which covers the topic. Seems to me there's plenty of material.

Any thoughts?

[BKHale2007]

No fiction--in book form--that I know of that attempts to capture and/or satirize the zeitgeist of modern Hawaii. There ism however, Don Chapman's serial in the Star-Bulletin, "My Kind of Town." I really liked the storyline about Lily, the cosmetics businesswoman. And now the story's focus has shifted to Osama bin Laden's part-Filipino niece Fatima.

[Jemmie211]

My question is: Are there any Hawai'i'-based authors who write fiction which addresses the rapid growth and accompanying sleaze of this place we live? For non-fiction, Gavan Daws' Land and Power is probably the go-to book, but I've never heard of fiction which covers the topic. Seems to me there's plenty of material.

Any thoughts?

Chris McKinney write novels about the lower rungs of the social ladder in Hawaii. He doesn't touch upon the rapid growth in Hawaii so much as the sleaze. However, when you read his work you do get a good idea of the hell that is part and parcel of this "Paradise" in which we live.

He has three books out so far: The Tattoo, Queen of Tears, and Bolohead Row.

Check 'em out!

[pzarquon]

A couple of old friends and former colleagues of mine just published Poi Cats (http://starbulletin.com/2005/06/23/features/story1.html). I've always been a fan of Jon Murakami's art, and Gen Suzuki's (formerly Gen Ancog) humor is one of a kind, so I can't wait to get my own copy. It's not high literature, but it's definitely local.

[hkplayer]

I dont know if this falls into this category but Michener's Hawaii is my all-time favourite :)

[DMM]

"The Red Wind" by Ian MacMillan. A great story about the lost art of canoe building in Hawaii. The library has several copies.

[hkplayer]

Chris McKinney write novels about the lower rungs of the social ladder in Hawaii. He doesn't touch upon the rapid growth in Hawaii so much as the sleaze. However, when you read his work you do get a good idea of the hell that is part and parcel of this "Paradise" in which we live.

He has three books out so far: The Tattoo, Queen of Tears, and Bolohead Row.

Check 'em out!

The Tattoo is hard to find here in Edmonton-Canada, if anyone can give me a source I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks :)

[alohabear]

Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois Yamanaka...LOL reading about life in Hilo. :D

[Glen Miyashiro]

The Tattoo is hard to find here in Edmonton-Canada, if anyone can give me a source I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks :)Try Half.com (http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1040090). I'm pretty sure they'll ship to Canada.

[Tiger Beer]

Chris McKinney write novels about the lower rungs of the social ladder in Hawaii. He doesn't touch upon the rapid growth in Hawaii so much as the sleaze. However, when you read his work you do get a good idea of the hell that is part and parcel of this "Paradise" in which we live.

He has three books out so far: The Tattoo, Queen of Tears, and Bolohead Row.

Check 'em out!

I loved reading Bolohead Row.. and I also have The Tattoo to read later.

I'm also interested in picking up Queen of Tears as it follows a Korean family's immigration to Hawaii.. (and I'm in Korea).. ;)

[Tiger Beer]

Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois Yamanaka...LOL reading about life in Hilo. :D

She has a couple of them.. I picked up one by her I'm about to read when I get the time. It also takes place in Hilo.. its called something like "HARRY... ??? " but can't recall exactly the title.

[Glen Miyashiro]

"Heads by Harry".

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Resuscitate this thread.

Here's a quote from a Carl Hiassen foreword (http://members.bellatlantic.net/~mwarble/slipf18/intro.htm) to a re-issue of one of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books:



Hiassen himself writes satirical novels about Florida and its denizens.

My question is: Are there any Hawai'i'-based authors who write fiction which addresses the rapid growth and accompanying sleaze of this place we live? For non-fiction, Gavan Daws' Land and Power is probably the go-to book, but I've never heard of fiction which covers the topic. Seems to me there's plenty of material.

Any thoughts?


There is, in fact, at least one book out there which is set in Hawai'i and whose author has been repeatedly compared to Hiassen:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0765343428/ref%3Dpd%5Fsl%5Faw%5Falx-jeb-9-1%5Fbook%5F5972690%5F1/103-3983935-9495828

DISCLAIMER: I hated it. But if $6.99 is disposable change to you....

aloha, Pua'i

[AuntieNellieKulolo]

The Tattoo is hard to find here in Edmonton-Canada, if anyone can give me a source I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks :)

Amazon: http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/1566473195/qid=1123692274/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/702-0516945-9642462

[AuntieNellieKulolo]

Resuscitate this thread.

Here's a quote from a Carl Hiassen foreword (http://members.bellatlantic.net/%7Emwarble/slipf18/intro.htm) to a re-issue of one of John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee books:



Hiassen himself writes satirical novels about Florida and its denizens.

My question is: Are there any Hawai'i'-based authors who write fiction which addresses the rapid growth and accompanying sleaze of this place we live? For non-fiction, Gavan Daws' Land and Power is probably the go-to book, but I've never heard of fiction which covers the topic. Seems to me there's plenty of material.

Any thoughts?

Kiana Davenport covers modern Hawai'i somewhat in her novels Shark Dialogues and Song of the Exile, especially the former - one character is an activist protesting overdevelopment on the Big Island. Some of her writing is a bit over the top and locals will catch a few inaccuracies but I have read both novels several times - wish she would write more!

Well, it looks like my wish is granted - she has another novel (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/034548150X/qid=1123692891/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/102-0609562-9545746?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) coming out next year. Can't wait!!!

[toeknee]

I agree. I enjoyed Shark Dialogues, dispite it's over the top quality. Maybe because of it.

Lois Yamanaka has got her finger on the pulse of adolescence. I did not grow up in Hawaii, but I did grow up. OK wait. That might be an overstatement. I did live through those tween years and could related to all her representations.

If anyone's interesting in fiction that depicts old Hawai, circa 1850, check out O.A. Bushness's Ka'a'awa.

Happy reading! And thanks to all for the recommendations.

[MadAzza]

I highly recommend the novel "Black Ocean" by local author Rick Blaine.

I'm biased -- he's a buddy of mine and I edited the book. But it's really good. Available in local bookstores or by mail order.

[NoCal Boy]

I recently enjoyed a book called "West of Then : a mother, a daughter, and a journey past paradise", by Tara Bray Smith. It's the memoir of a woman who was born into a rich family in Kahala, and how her family disintegrated with her mother's increasing drug addiction. Lots of description of local places and events that will be more familiar with you than to me - my wife (local girl) found it pretty interesting. Draws something of a parallel between the history and development of Hawaii and the author's family. Very heartbreaking story how the mother's addiction just destroyed her life and could have ruined her childrens'. A good read.
Amazon link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743236793/qid=1127427116/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5793113-0159268?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

There's another book called "The Money Dragon" by Pam Chun that was well received a few years ago. It's a fictionalized memoir of the establishment of Honolulu Chinatown. I have to admit I haven't read it myself but I bought it for my mom and it brought back a lot of childhood memories for her. She gave it a thumbs up.
Another Amazon link: (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1570718679/qid=1127427651/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-5793113-0159268?v=glance&s=books)