Anyone Who Loves Hawaii Should Read THIS Book (James Michener's Hawaii Review)

[@richl6725]

I have read the book twice and enjoyed it a lot. So much so, it inspired me to read many books on Hawaiian History. Thank you for the look back on a great book. I encourage anyone interested in the history and culture of Hawaii. Keep in mind, this is one perspective, likely one of the best. Aloha.

[@jeffyanagawa1]

Me too! 2x

[@theresalahring4770]

My first novel ever was Michener's Chesapeake and I ended up loving all of his historical fiction novels, including Hawaii. I listened to your thoughts and your review of HAWAII. I wonder if you are a literature instructor, because I could seriously learn from YOU. I loved your comments and your intelligence and the way you can bring out the history of your culture and help us to understand the current attitudes and of course changes. I visited Maui two years ago and ate at The Fleetwood in Lahaina. I am also grieving your loss regarding the tragedy at Lahaina last week.

[@DawnTriggy]

Aloha from England! We just came home from Hawaii ( Oahu and the Big Island). A Silver Wedding Anniversary celebration… never in a million years did I ever imagine that I would visit Hawaii! Love love love it! My husband and my mother in law both bought me this book for my birthday! I have two!!! Fabulous book! History via storytelling is so effective. Sad to finish this book… so happy to find your synopsis to extend the pleasure 😄 Thank you x

[@gregoryambres1897]

What a towering, eternal, masterfull document about Hawaii, as a geological gem and as a nation, by James Michener. It should be required reading in every high-school American Literature course. Awesome, life-changing novel.

[@louisrandall9603]

As someone who lives on the East Coast I have found Hawaii to be such a unique place within the United States. Hawaii truly has a special mix of different cultures that have blended into something special. A person from the mainland needs to spend time learning Hawaii's state culture. I find that if you are from the mainland that you can't push your ways onto the locals of Hawaii you will be unsuccessful. It is better to learn Hawaii's culture and to adapt to it and if you want to change in Hawaii you need to do it the Hawaiian way. I find Hawaii fascinating.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great perspective 🤙

[@sterlingyee7153]

Thank you for telling us about Michener’s Hawaii. I first read it after I graduated with my MBA in Colorado in the early 80’s. After working a few years in Boulder I decided to come home. A relative gave me this book and strongly encouraged me to read it. I did and it actually prepared me as I started a new career in HI. Above all, it’s about the people and the history of the people. You can match most of the names in the book with real names, especially the Big Five. I believe this book prepared me for the career I have. I’ve encouraged many people to read this.

[@audreym3777]

I was just telling my mom about this book. She lives in Waikoloa BI and I read this ages ago and was fascinated. Such a great book! From the navigators to the current day (in Michener’s time). He tied all the family generations so awesomely!!! All who are interested or especially kama’aina should read this book. 🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, it's a great book. Kind of intimidating because of how long it is, but worth it.

[@kayokolindenberger3754]

I did not grow up in Hawaii, but I used to love visiting Borders, Books & Music (RIP) in Hawaii to pick up books about the local culture and history. When my husband and I visit Kauai, I also like to stop in the Kauai Historical Society to search for new reading materials. Awesome video!

[@gregoryambres1897]

"From the Boundless Deep" is RIVETING, FASCINATING and GORGEOUS in its geological history and jewel-like imagery. One can envision the timeless, ageless, eternal emerald spear-point of Mauna Loa Hawaii. I keep that book in a cherished, special place in my bedroom because it is deep, profound, and eloquent. I must be more erudite than most guys.

[@ReligionOfSacrifice]

I just read this year and fell in love with "Poland" and "Chesapeake" by James Michener, but the thing to wonder about is whether his religion or his view on history is always right on how it influences society who read his books. I am wondering which book to read next by him and think none will be as good as these two for me. "Texas" or "Centennial" might be worth reading.

[@Californiansurfer]

I read that book in high school 1983. I still haven’t visited Hawaii. Sensei Mas Shoji was from Hilo …. 2012 to 2018. I worked in Jeffersonvill Indiana my co worker Boe, he was from big island. He worked only from sunrise till 5pm. He would always go a home early. He said, I stay out of trouble, I am not a local out here,.. well, I learned the hard way. I found out that me being a America of Mexicano heritage, I was seen as a Black man.. No matter what, you were Black. I leaned to also start at sunrise and i also went home at 5pm. Now, I know. Downey California ❤❤❤

[@dancermom2]

I read this book back in my High School or college days. I really enjoy Historical Fiction and this was right up my alley. It was also great because I learned so much about how each wave of immigration impacted the islands and the history of Hawaii that I didn't really learn in school even though I was raised in Hawaii. It's a huge book but I wish people wouldn't be afraid of a long book. You don't read a 1000 page book in one sitting! How do you get your kids to read? Show them by example. I raised 4 readers. Read to your child every day. Let them see you reading. Find books that spark their imagination and are about things they like. Take them to the library! The greatest thing were the Harry Potter books for us. I had to buy 4 copies because they would all read them in one sitting and sharing wasn't an option if I wanted to avoid fights. The apartment was very quiet on Harry Potter release days because they would all be stuck in the book until they were done. It can be done! Show your kids the joys of reading and they will grow up to be readers.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great suggestion on getting kids interested in reading. We have to demonstrate its importance by giving it the time it deserves.

[@kathleenelliot5305]

If you like or haven't read Clan of the cave bear series it's great reading.

[@user-sg8kq7ii3y]

Great advice all around. However, it's tougher these days to get kids to read because the pull of Netflix, video games, and social media is so strong. When they're younger, it's easy for parents to control these things. But once they get into middle and high school it becomes much tougher. People today - both the young ones and older people, are addicted to social media, Netflix, and video games.

[@dancermom2]

@@kathleenelliot5305 Read the whole series!! It's great!

[@WendyPaul-l9j]

This book was on our shelf when I was a small kid. I thumbed through, but I didn’t really read it all. My husband and I just read it together this summer before our daughter went to UH. We loved it! Especially when you have roots in Hawai’i, it just resonates so deeply.

[@leocarpenter4702]

Fantastic review of this book. It sits on the coffee table at our home in Miloli'i on the Big Island. I've read it 5 or 6 times and enjoy it more each time I read it. Started coming to Hawai'i in '72 via the Navy and deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin and continued coming at least once a year starting in '94. Most of our trips involved Maui, but my wife finally talked me into the "Pride of America" cruise. I stepped off the tender onto the dock in Kailua-Kona and knew immediately that "I was home". Within a year we found a home in Miloli'i, "Hawai'i's Last Fishing Village", where you're knee deep in the mana. Aloha!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Great book. It's so long that it makes a great casual read, as you can just read the different sections.

[@claudioricardez6614]

James Michener had an amazing ability for telling stories that drew out over centuries and encompassed so many facets. I love his books. Iberia and Centennial and Tales of the South Pacific are also fantastic.

[@JohnnyAloha69]

I’ve read that book several times. What I loved about it is how it captured the breadth of our history. Also I had a neighbor when I was young who said that the hawaii of today (meaning the 1980’s) was the result of largely two men… Jack Lord and James Michener. Between the 1959 book and the 1968 TV show they made Americans (and others) aware of Hawaiians wanting to see it. I guess we can both thank and blame them!

[@TheCrossroads533]

I am reading the novel now before visiting the state. I love its slow unfolding on a vast canvas of time and Pacific geography. Thanks for you review as an insightful Hawaiian. It makes me appreciate Michener's big work even more.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you are enjoying the book. He does a good job of slowly introducing the story and I like how the different stories are linked together.

[@enavigatorE]

Going to order this book soon ! Thanks

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great read

[@crystalking1317]

I recently finished this book. So captivating! I’d heard of this book before your review but your recommendation is what got me to actually read it. My family and I ate at SALT recently and I appreciate those murals even more now.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you read the book. Yeah, lots of murals in that area of significant historical figures.

[@teresepratt6036]

I have read a lot of James Michener's books, starting with Iberia, and the one on Hawaii along the way. I really enjoy him. You have to plan to take a long time reading and relishing Michener's books or they seem just too long. Several of his books i have read over a period of several months in order to really understand the book and retain its meaning. Most books I would read in less than a week.

[@MadTeaParty5150]

.......ALOHA!!!! Book is on its way!! Mahalo for the suggestion!! Keep On Keep'n On! Appreciate all your sharing!!! Enlightening!

[@MrsAloha1959]

I am blown away as to how he wrote such an expansive history! I also deeply appreciated how he expressed the racism from all perspectives. He didn't just say it from the Caucasian perspective or just from the Hawaiian perspective, it was from all people concerned. Even with the missionaries, I always had such a Negative perspective on them but when you read his book, you see all sides of what happened. Very impressive that he could do that back in 1959. How many people cannot see others' perspectives now, and we should be able to do better than 1959, given all of our resources with the internet.

[@okbaumgaertner7126]

I’m reading it right now and I’m mesmerized! I was raised in Hawaii so it is extra special to me!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great read.

[@NZDLo]

What I was really interested in after my first trip to Hawaii as an adult is the long history of the Japanese culture. I really enjoy visiting any place in the world where common signs and instructions are shown in more than one language - and always interested to see which ones are common in that particular place. Would love to hear more about your thoughts on the Japanese culture in Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Lots to say on the Japanese culture in Hawaii, including the immigration to the plantations. Probably too big a project for me, though.

[@bernicecressman7965]

Ok u sold me! I was given that book a decade ago and could never get thru the beginning. I'm going to try and find it and give it a second chance. Thank you for your input on what I hope to be a wonderful book! Hawaii has always had a place in my heart since my auntie lived there for 50 years.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great read. Tough first chapter, but the rest is great.

[@rhodyrhodes1]

It thrills me that you enjoyed this book as much as I did, I have read it at least twice for sure, I may have read it three times in my life. You commented that the first chapter was boring when it talked about the origins of the island, I thought it was beautifully written, and fascinating. My favorite part of the book is the preacher man, Abner Hale, that guy drove me crazy.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Abner was such a great character. Almost tragic.

[@danab172]

I just ordered his book on Alaska. I'm wanting to visit Hawaii so I'm interested. Actually, I'm interested in many of his books. Just discovered him minutes ago. Thanks for this review! Great, great review!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great writer. One of my favorites.

[@AkkoandTamo]

I love the perspective. Mahalo for sharing the book recommendation, already bought it and looking forward to absorbing it. 🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great book. Enjoy!

[@raypeters7222]

Just finished the book, thanks for the great insight man!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you finished it. How long did it take you?

[@guslevy3506]

Am reading Hawaii right now, it reads fast since Michener’s style is to be a storyteller. Another enjoyable book that is non-fiction but reads like fiction is Holy Man: Father Damien of Molokai. It’s the story of an incredible life and vividly describes the life in the leper colony in Molokai…gives a great sense for Hawaii in the late 19th century.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the recommendation 🤙

[@evapeat5020]

Haven’t read Hawaii yet but really enjoyed Micheners Poland and Caribbean. I have Alaska, Mexico and Space on my bookshelf yet to read. Michener is a great story teller.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I heard Alaska is great.

[@IslandStyle42]

I purchased Hawaii by Jmes Michener a few years ago and loved it! Once I started, I could not put it down.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's great. It's a good read. I like how the different chapters connect over the course of book.

[@IslandStyle42]

@@HelloFromHawaii Yes I found it captivating and agree with your thoughts on the book as well. That first chapter really had my imagination going, mostly as you said, no people and no talking. As it progressed though, it simply got better.

[@majomaja5646]

I first read Michener's Hawaii during the late winter of 1975 and chose it for my required book report the following spring for AP American Literature class in HS tenth grade. I loved the novel, Mrs. Gingrich was much less than pleased with my choice and glowing review. BTW, this occurred in Anchorage, AK.

[@jgtutors]

Thank you for this insightful review. You’ve got me convinced to read it. Bonus: headed to Hawaii soon! My first time. If you ever read the Jack London “House of Pride” short story compilation, I’d love to know what you think.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the suggestion. I've enjoyed London's novels in the past.

[@susanlarsen8465]

A must read if you are traveling to or love Hawai’i

[@richardmccarley281]

Have you never seen the movie version with Charlton Heston?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I haven't seen that movie, only the first one with Julie Andrews

[@keroppiven]

I am finally reading this book!

[@riverhillsvintage4740]

I’ve been trying to read Hawaii for several years. I’m going to finish it, especially since you’ve reviewed it. 🌺🌴

[@AdrianasWonderland]

I’m searching for a hawaii book that I can read. I don’t know what it is about this culture that inspires me so much. Thank you for this video

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great book. 🤙

[@JonIchinaga]

Listened to it on Books on Tape years ago during work commute. Found it entertaining and informative. Highly recommend as well.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@terryleame3313]

i strongly believe you should read all the local history books (especially written by locals) as well as story books of the area you have decided to live in. it brings an understanding of the people/land.

[@purdykawahilani1304]

Awaiaulu written in hawaiian and currently being translated in english.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great suggestion. Lots of great local lit.

[@purdykawahilani1304]

Mahalo for the book suggestion. Iʻll give it a go.

[@Randombutterfly29]

Thank you for the recommendation. I will check it out. I read all the time with my child and also she sees me reading, but she never loved reading as much as I did. People tell me it might change when she’s older. I’m hoping so!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@claredonovan6873]

It's a great book, definitely agree!!! I really enjoyed this video could you do some more Hawaii book reviews? Aloha😀

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have Hawaii's Story on my Kindle that I've been meaning to finish. It's a great read.

[@stellamarina4123]

I often recommend this book to newcomers to the islands as a way to get a feeling and understanding of the place. In case you don't know, James Michener taught at UNC for a year before the war, and his book "Centenial" is based on the town of Greely, CO.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Didn't know that book was about Greeley 😆

[@wilfpickles9488]

All James Micheners books are excellent! Texas,Alaska, Caribbean etc... Enjoy!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I might read another one, but they are so long. Gotta find the time :)

[@harryshigeura3892]

Always enjoy your vids and your perspectives ! I read in the comments that you did see both movies, yes based on this book and somewhat of a continuation in the 2nd movie, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, in contrast with, me and my roommate went to the "Hawaii" movie and he didn't like it at all, he is from Hawaii (Farrington and the valley and native Hawaiian) and saw that movie from his perspective ... If you haven't read this yet, but in my opinion, theee premier book about Hawaii is "Hawaii Pono" by Lawrence Fuchs (1961) it is out of print, but available on Amazon used, pricey, or the public library ... it is a must read, I loved that book ... there is another book that came out in the mid 70s, The Shoal of Time by Gavan Daws, I didn't read this one coz all my friends who read both books, told me not to waste my time (all of us born and raised local) since it looked from a very different lens than Hawaii Pono but basically covering similar stuff ... if you haven't read it yet, hope you can get to read Hawaii Pono tho ... thankyou for your super vids ...

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the recommendation. I'm currently reading Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen. Great read so far.

[@cherylmcmillan984]

I love this book! In spite of how difficult it is to get through the first chapter I’ve read it five times over many years and will read it again. We’ve been to Hawaii several times but I’ve often thought I’d love to have experienced life in Lahaina, Maui during the whaling days and missionary days. A great book! Another book providing real insight to life on Molokai during leprosy is “Molokai” by Alan Brennert. A really great and informative story!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing and great suggestion in Molokai. 🤙

[@gregoryambres1897]

The intoduction of James Michener's "Hawaii" so brilliantly and estudiously marks the tone for his definitive novel about "Hawaii." Far from being "fictional," as was expressed, it is perfectly based and founded upon geological research. James Michener was no dilletant, Millennial.

[@Bookspine5]

I have yet to read some of the James Michener books like "The Drifters" and "The Source".

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for the recommendations.

[@readbooks9985]

I recommend Michener's "Hawaii" to people visiting here. He wrote it (or at least part of it) while living in Pupukea. Many of the characters are based on real people. I've read all his books. I suggest you read more of Michener's books. I also recommend Lawrence Fuchs's book "Hawaii Pono" (nonfiction) to people who want to understand Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the suggestion

[@score2high]

Great video! I like that you want more kids in Hawaii to read. I am an avid reader now, but wasn't so much in my younger days. It was strictly sports magazines for me. I think you should write a book about something to do with Hawaii, be it fiction or about its history. But I think you can do both in one book. My current two favorite authors happen to be from Hawaii, Toby Neal and Ty Hutchinson. Toby was raised on Kauai and has written a lot of fictional book series based in Hawaii. Ty is a local born hapa guy that has written one series where parts of it takes place in Hawaii. He also has many series of books. Funny that moving away from Hawaii and now that I miss it so much that I read books authored by people from Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. I've written some manuscripts in the past, but no luck with the publishers. Lots of great local authors, though. I think the annual library book fair is going on right now. Usually great place to pick up local books.

[@score2high]

@@HelloFromHawaii I know that Toby Neal self published her books. I'm not sure, but I think Ty Hutchinson also self published. You may want to look into that option.

[@tracyalan7201]

Aaah Chris. I'm surprised your seniors in the family didn't encourage you to read it earlier. It was standard reading for American Studies 301, Dennis Ogawa's class at UH. Ayah.... Jan Ken Po and Hawaii. You need to read more James Michner's book as his early post war II stories of Tales of the South Pacific is great and if one watches South Pacific, you'll understand it better. Hawaii is one of his first works which sets the tone of his writings, which Centennial, Alaska, Texas all follows. If you loved following Michner's passion of people from around the world, you would enjoy it. I know he wrote others, but those ones I've read, re-read, re-read many many times. Great stuff about the character of men, women. Michner truly researched, understood and loved the people that he wrote about. Later, read James Clavell's books. In fact, if you don't be surprised while reading Michner's or Clavell's writing that he drops his characters from other books, although each one stands on their own. If you're not familiar with James Clavell, well, if you've ever watched "The Great Escape", he didn't write it, but he was part of the production. Even Walk Like a Dragon, which was a Jack Lord, James Shigeta movie. His more recent works are Shogun, King Rat, Taipan and Noble House. Tech is great, but it saps the creativity of imagination that reading, and writing brings the detail in. I liken it to vision and touch. We take it for granted that we can see but those without sight, having to live from touch, hearing, smell, taste forces us to appreciate what we take for granted.

[@dancermom2]

James Clavell is another great writer. Shogun and Tai Pan are both a great read.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the suggestions. I was thinking about Tales of the South Pacific, but not sure if I'll have the time. Might need to wait for early 2023 when I have more down time. Two kids 😆

[@haircole]

What about … Shoal of time by gavan daws

[@tracyalan7201]

Not bad, but I prefer Hawaii Pono myself.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I think I read that when I was younger. Sounds so familiar

[@sandramorey2529]

The first100 pages are wonderful, but the rest of it I didn't care much for. There are lots of other really good books to choose from. Here are a couple you might like justas well or better. "Lost Kingdom" by Julia Flynn Siler, "Volcano" by Garrett Hongo, Molokai'i I can't recall the author.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the suggestions

[@pauhanafishingguy]

Awesome book as long as you can get past the 1st chapter!

[@Californiansurfer]

I read it in 1983 and yes it’s honest about Hawaii. Downey California

[@livalohalivaloha6782]

Highly recommend K'a'a'awa by O.A. Bushnell and Moloka'i by Alan Brrnnert

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the suggestion

[@kofd04]

Never read the book, seen the movie though. Very slow movie, but if you have Hawaii in your heart, a must watch.

[@MrsAloha1959]

Love your video. I just subscribed! 🌴🌸🌺🤙🏾

[@jenanalleman6285]

Thanks for this summary! Have you read Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Haven't read that yet. Good read?

[@jenanalleman6285]

@@HelloFromHawaii I enjoyed it because I'm a fan of Sarah Vowell. She's written multiple books on different historical subjects and I like her writing style. She infuses a lot of wit in her writing preventing the history from becoming a dry rehashing. If you hear her speak, she also has a distinctive voice that you may recognize because she voiced Violet in The Incredibles. She's also appeared on This American Life quite a few times, so check out their archives to hear her there.

[@ronw8628]

'Hawaii' almost got Michener tar-n-feathered in Hawaii when it was published. Sumpthin about his account of the more modern years of the state, wherein Michener depicts that the haole oligarchy would successfully snuff Hawaii's oriental population (former plantation indentured workers) from rising to political prominence. It was published in 59' the year Hawaii gained statehood, so the bulk of the writing was done prior to statehood. Intentional or not, he left the impression that he was anti social progress. My favorites are "The Source" (history of Israel) and "Tales of the South Pacific" (WWII, Pulitzer Prize 1948). Don't quote me but Michener may have started the trend of 1000+ page mega novels albeit a few authors criticized and rightly so as gas-baggers. Michener does characteristically include the prehistoric beginnings of the story's location, probably why people found the early chapters of Hawaii boring if they're not into those things.

[@gordonames1892]

IN THE LATE 70S, I WAS STATIONED NEAR CAMP DAVID. A GIRLFRIEND WORKED IN A BOOK STORE I USED TO GO TO. ONE NIGHT I WAS OVER FOR DINNER. SHE TOLD ME RECENTLY A WELL DO DO FRIEND OF HERS INVITED HER TO DINNER AND TO MEET A SPECIAL GUEST. MY GIRL FRIEND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE DINNER. LATER SHE FOUND OUT THE SPECIAL GUEST WAS JAMES MITCHNER!!!

[@alexcarter8807]

Michener's written some other stuff about the Pacific in general. I've read *Hawaii* and have a copy around here and I guess it's time to read it again. There are some others like *The Anatomy Of Paradise* not by Michener but by another guy, about the Pacific islands in general. It's very good. There's *The Happy Isles Of Oceania* by Paul Theroux, and *Hotel Honolulu* by him also. The first is entertaining at least, the 2nd is rather awful. There are older books like those written by actual Hawaiians, I think one is *Hawaii's Story By Hawaii's Queen* I believe, haven't read it yet but I plan to. It's well worth it go to back as far as the 1800s in your search for good books about Hawaii because they're spaced all through time, the good ones as well as the awful ones.

[@Cruisingfoodies]

I have never read the whole thing. But I remember some parts. I think it's great to get kids reading too! I started w muting the TV n subtitles when they were little n they still do that now lol.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

My dad did the subtitle thing too. 😆

[@Cruisingfoodies]

@@HelloFromHawaii hahaha. I love it!

[@marilyncoull9021]

I read this book years ago. Love it. I would also add these books about Hawaii. Molokai and Daughter of Molokai author Alan Brennert fiction but historical facts included about the Leper colony. Also Honolu lu same author about the Korean warbrides. They take you from 1892 to Pearl Harbor.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great recommendations 🤙

[@sktub569]

I read this book twice. Once in high school and a second time as an adult. The story stayed with me as a young man. After I had the fortune to visit, I read it again. It is an amazing story. BTW, there was a Hollywood movie version of the book in the 1950s…do not recommend.

[@tracyalan7201]

I thought of two movies. One in the late 1960's with Richard Harris and Julie Andrews and the later The Hawaiians with Charlton Heston, Geradine Page, and John Philip Law. So-so movies. Reading the book is a better deal.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I saw the movie back in middle school. Didn't know it was based on part of this book

[@bou8926]

Thank you!

[@ADAtrips]

I read it a few years ago. It was when I had to go to almost every place he talks about. Really. 🌴🌴Aloha

[@COVID-cm4rn]

I remember watching the movie in school

[@hori166]

Another brilliant video, multilayered and full of issues that can and should be explored further--maybe one day you'll hold a TedTalks event at UHM Kennedy Theater...why not? Two points. 1) Why don't people read? While it's true that people who don't read are more easily controlled, nowadays even reading provides no salvation since there are so many lies printed which can only be countered by seeking out a variety of sources. This is why I often look at foreign media like al Jazeera, the BBC, etc. to see what the rest of the world thinks is important, and what others think of the U.S. Moreover, ideologues often haven't read the documents they love to wave about in your face because these documents are dense and require analysis and interpretation. 2) It's interesting to compare a book and the film based on it to see how one is transformed into a narrative that is more appropriate for that medium. I'm reading the "Joy Luck Club" and how certain lines, events, and chronology are selected, much like tiles in a mah jong game, reveal the art of screenwriting.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comment. I think it would be interesting to talk about local literacy and what Hawaii is doing about it. We talk about the importance of education here, but are we updating our teaching models about reading to compare with the distractions of today?

[@hori166]

@@HelloFromHawaii I started to watch the movie and was horrified by it. It's no surprise why William Friedkin picked Max von Sydow for the role of Father Merrin in The Exorcist. Other notable stars were Gene Hackman and Carroll O'Connor (All in the Family). Bette Midler has a cameo role in the boat scene. I haven't read the book and I'd have to defer to your wisdom and judgment about those great quotes. That said, the legacy of the Protestant missionaries is mixed. Lorrin Andrews was instrumental in the printing of the Hawaiian language and founded Lahainaluna School in Lahaina which educated Samuel Kamakau and David Malo. But then there's Stanford B. Dole, who well...you know... I think the character Malama is based on Queen Kaahumanu, who broke the kapu system and was baptized. It was Kaahumanu who banned hula in 1830, not haoles! Go figgah...

[@apachekeawe-aiko4900]

HAAAaah, got to read it 🤙

[@doris3594]

Like Dancermom’s comments, I learned more about Hawaii’s history from this book that I read in my 20’s than I did in school in Kailua. Sadly this book wasn’t a recommended book on our reading lists and I took it upon myself while living in Philadelphia to read it. Our school system back then, in the 60s and 70s wasn’t up to par in my opinion and I glided through school without feeling I got much of an education…. As I compare it to my husbands Philadelphia school system curriculum, where he read the classics and science and math at an advanced level that was a requirement to get through his curriculum, I feel like Hawaii was just too far behind back them and hope things have changed. Back to James Michener.. after reading Hawaii I went onto reading many of his other books written in the same style and have gotten an appreciation and understanding of other places I’ve never been to like Poland and Alaska. Thank you for bringing back such fond memories of his book and I intend to put it back on my reading list. For those of you who can’t get past the opening chapters I recommend you skip through it entirely and not feel as though you’ve lost something by doing so. It’s a marvelous and timeless book and one of the best historical fiction novels ever written in my opinion. Thank you.

[@annabanabanana]

I thought this was fiction so if you know nothing about Hawaii history how do you know what is true and what’s not?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Maybe I'll check out his other books. They all seem so long 😂

[@doris3594]

@@annabanabanana , his books support the historical timeline and the characters are fictional. To me his books are like an artistic representation of the areas he writes about…like a painting.

[@allendiaz1602]

I am going to get it

[@lmr691]

OMG I read it twice! He did his research thoroughly. The movie made from his book fell short.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I may end up reading this again in the future. Really enjoyed.

[@kathleenelliot5305]

That is a great book, the beginning is boring but it's the "birth" of Hawaii. Mahalo

[@ADAtrips]

If you get past some big words 😂 It is good. 🌴🌴Aloha

[@tracyalan7201]

Centennial, Texas, Alaska, and his other books follow the same, but it sort of falls into place later in his books. The reason is that the environment plays a role in the formation of the people and its inhabitants in ways we don't think about.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, slow first chapter.

[@kathleenelliot5305]

@@tracyalan7201 you are so correct! I really stopped and thought about the first chapter for awhile before I continued. I should pick the other books up. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@gregoryambres1897]

Please read "Hawaii" by James Michener, and draw your own conclusions.

[@eromson1]

I read it when I was in High School. It's next on my Kindle reading list. BTW, want to see the adaptation of wildlife on the 'Aina? Check out i'iwi and apapane.

[@williamheinrich5383]

Great book - read it 30 ago.

[@ronw8628]

imagine writing this tome without a laptop back then!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

😆

[@patrickkemp8047]

I have read it several times. Movie does not even touch it. Awesome book.

[@haircole]

I started if ……..just didn’t finish….watch the film and have just started to rewatch….

[@tracyalan7201]

The book gives much more that the movie doesn't touch on. It would be like watch a movie in black and white and then seeing it in color, except the book is the colorized version.

[@ClerkinTFentch]

I read that book in 2006-- I would tear off the sections I had finished so I could carry the book around....

[@HelloFromHawaii]

😆

[@lanautah8622]

Shouldn't you be a Teacher? You are so good at that. Isn't there a housing program for educators in Hawaii? 🤙🤙🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I think it would be fun to be a teacher. I don't think there is teacher housing, but there may have been in the past. I believe they received extra funding this year for raises and other education-related initiatives.

[@mayrnibird9224]

folks should read poland by michener. all of his books ar great.

[@ginkodragon]

Of course! I love James Mitchner's books! Did you know that there was a movie based upon the book? It stared Julie Andrew's, Max Von Sydow, Richard Harris! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCucodnittojdk My great grand father was a baker on a whaling ship, who fell in love with the island and brought his family from Portugal to settle on Kawai in the 1800's . My grand father on my mother's side signed up to work in Hawaii in the sugar cane fields. As the son of a the father who was a lawyer had died, his mother married again to a farmer who already had a family. My grandfather went to work on the Ewa Plantation. As a young kid, we lived in the Palolo Valley where we had chickens and my dad planted a variety of banana trees. The property was next to a stream and a mountain as part of a reservoir. Our neighbors who were an elderly couple and my mom and use kids used to hike up into the forest to pick Mountain apples and fiddle heads, while my dad was at work as an architectural draftsman at the Honolulu City Hall. We moved to California for better job opportunities for my dad and drier weather because us kids had asthma, but two years ago I went back with my family to add mom's ashes to the crypt with our dad's at the Punch bowl. Much of Hawaii has changed, but a lot is still the same I was very sad to see that the little community at the Ewa Plantation was gone. My cousins had told us but it was kind of a shock to see that everything was gone! The park, with the tower where we had Obon festivals and all big gatherings, the train station with the post office in it, the little grocery store and all of the houses that had been displaced. All that is left is one house and a little sign to tell about the site . I'm a little outraged that the community couldn't have been preserved as a state park. I guess the value of the land was more valuable than the ctural history of a people!

[@waynejohnson3214]

I've read this several times over the years. When I lived on Oahu, I was told a couple of times that I had an understanding of Hawaiian culture that most outsiders didn't. I always told people the little I know came from this book.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's a great book 😄

[@rochellesantiago7977]

I recommend the book "Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawai'i" IF you really want to know the REAL Hawai'i.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thank you for the recommendation

[@granta3044]

The way that Polynesians traveled accounted for loss of food. They traveled against the current with the wind so that when/if they ran out of food they could just float back home. Not sure how accurate the stories in your book are.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I'm not sure about the currents in the story. I just remember they were running out of food.

[@kingforaday8725]

Ive often thought the first humans arriving in Hawaii would have found a literal paradise!!! No humans or animals on the islands themselves that could harm you. Now in the water thats a different story. I remember the professor in my Evolutionary Biology class talking about how plants and animals arrived in Hawaii before the intervention of humans. Animal wise you are looking at birds, bats and insects insects, thats it!!! Of course in the water there were sharks, jellyfish, whales, seals, etc. but those creatures are not gonna come crawling out of the water to eat you!

[@dennistani1986]

To be honest, I started reading it about 20 years ago. After the first 25 pages, I lost interest, put it on the bookshelf, and never picked it up again.....

[@teresepratt6036]

Several times in your video you ask how can we get the kids to read? Well, they say children copy what they see. So to get kids to read, we the adults need to read to be examples.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great suggestion. Not sure how many local parents read at home. Hopefully my kids see me read as they get older.

[@fitzmeister87]

I remember how reading quite graphic deacriptions of human sacrifices and toddlers being strangulated wasn't half as painful as having Mitchener describing the awful contemptful racism and self-righteousness of the missionaries. A monumental book nevertheless.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Looking back, I still enjoyed reading the book. I haven't read anything else from Michener, but hope to when I have more time.

[@Redipstick]

Read it twice… the movie doesn’t do it justice

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Agreed. I wish there was an HBO series.

[@livalohalivaloha6782]

Sorry. Alan Brennert

[@lynsuzs]

I would like to know how do you have time (working, 2 kids, KZbin) to read such a lengthy book??? I’m retired and yet I’m taking over a month in reading “Ben”. 😂

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's tough. I read when I can in my free time. I used to read books over weekends when I was single, but now I read before bed. I've been reading great biographies, which tend to be shorter.

[@jasoncarreira3973]

You doing a good job my opinion HAWAII WON'T BE PARADTBE LOST CRIME WILL BE A LOT IT WILL BE LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD NO ONE WILL CARE FOR EACH OTHER EVERYONE WILL BE FOR THEY SELF THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER FOR THE CHILDREN

[@gregoryambres1897]

Oh, the tsuris, hearing a Millennial trying to "analyze" James Michener and who doesn't even know where Bora Bora is. Agony.

[@gregoryambres1897]

Awash in a sea of ignorance