Hawaiian Reader

by A. Grove Day (Editor)

This copy is in excellent condition, the book is in great shape and the binding is crisp!

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Travel

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Arthur Grove Day

Reviews

[Cindy Marsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book on a friend's recommendation a couple of decades ago when I had a possible trip to Hawaii, but I finally went this year, and I spent time reading it before and during my trip. Selections of history, fiction, and poetry give multiple perspectives on these amazing islands, and the collection was made at the time of statehood in the late 1950s. I had a magical moment--just hours after I finished the selection on Father Damien's mission on the Molokai coast for those suffering Hansen's Disease (leprosy as it was known then), our cruise ship went right by the site, and I could envision what it might have been like for a poor afflicted person to be shoved off a ship and told to "swim for it" to the isolated peninsula at the base of a steep cliff. But that community became such a refuge for the downtrodden that in the 1950s and even today some still inhabit the place. I think it's a great introduction to the history and culture as of mid-20th century, though an update would be good for our century now.

[Rasma Haidri · Rating 3 out of 5]

See Tales from the Night Rainbow for the real ancient Hawaii.

What these writers call ancient only refers to their own "discoveries", either by the late 18th century missionaries or the 13th century Polynesians. The stories here vilify the true Hawaiians, which makes these hard to stomach for me right now. So I feel the book's premise is all wrong.

All the same there is some great writing collected here. The nonfiction is particularly good, especially Mark Twain's venture into the volcano. Having lived there on the flank of that simmering crater, I am astonished that he and his companion (a reckless maverick who had a keen intuitive sense of direction; the local Hawaiians refused to accompany them) got out of there alive.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm leaving Goodreads, don't want to be a content provider for Amazon. This review is now available on LibraryThing, user name CSRodgers.

[Stephanie Launiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, first published in 1961, is an anthology of 30+ essays and stories from authors who have written about Hawaii. These selections are diverse and yet they each tell a piece of the story of an isolated Polynesian people who awoke one day to foreign intervention and were never the same again. And neither were the 'interveners' the same again. The world of all involved had changed forever. My favorite pieces were the journal entries of Captain James Cook and those who were on the later Vancouver expeditions because they give the earliest images of the Hawaiians of the 18th century. I also liked reading the sermon of Kahu Abraham Akaka at Kawaiaha'o Church on the day that Hawaii became the 50th state of the U.S. Comparing his predictions of what statehood would bring to Hawaii's shores to what has actually washed up on our sands is fascinating. Historians should love this book. Lovers of Hawaiiana will want this book in their collection. Anyone doing research on Hawaiian history or culture should check out what this book offers on their subject. This book is not recommended for the casual Hawaii visitor or anyone not already familiar with Hawaiian history.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While definitely of its 1950s, immediate post-statehood, RAH RAH 'MURICA time, this reader provides a pretty good buffet of fiction, non-fiction, original historical documents, poetry and folklore concerning Hawaii. The usual suspects of Mark Twain, Captain Cook, and Isabella Bird are here, but there are also some surprisingly good historical memoirs by several notable women of various classes. I was also very intrigued by the rip-roaring short story by Robert Louis Stevenson, and am inspired to check out more of his writing about the South Seas (both fiction and non-fiction). Of course, it being the 1950s, all the work by actual native Hawaiians is lumped at the back of the book, and is dismissed as "alien" by the white editors in the preface.

[Tari Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. We'd just returned from Kauai, so my enthusiam for Hawaii was at an all time high. Very interesting short stories that could be read and absorbed in one sitting each. Very interesting history and coverage of events and biographies. Some stories on ancient beliefs and folk tales as well. Loved it.

[Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this gem at Books at Sandcastle (formerly Sandcastle Books) in Huntington Beach, CA. A wonderful used book store owned and operated by a pleasant, if slightly odd, and extremely knowledgeable older gentleman. I noticed it on a rack, and having a friend who recently returned to HB after living in Hawai'i, I purchased it for him. The older gentleman commented on how delightful it was to discover books like this one, and I wholeheartedly agreed. Before giving it to my friend, I intended to keep it briefly and read it myself. Well, briefly became nearly 3 years, but I finally finished it and will be sending it to my friend.

[Cortney R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began reading this book while in Hawaii. It contains short stories both fiction and non-fiction from well known writers including Mark Twain, Jack London and Robert Louis Stevenson. I appreciate the history contained and loved the stories that are reminders of the rich polynesian cultures.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of stories written about the islands by explorers and famour authors. I found it very interesting, especially the early accounts of the islands.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

the Twain essays were very good, and of course, the Maugham story.

[Rick Ludwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many interesting stories, but only goes up to Hawaiian Statehood in 1959.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an excellent companion for a trip to Hawaii. I'm finishing up the last few stories now and lingering over them to keep that aloha feeling just a little longer.