January in the Library: Hawaii

by Anne Newins

December readers may be feeling a tad chilled after reading books from our  Scandinavian display so we thought we should highlight warmer climes in January.  Since we have many residents from Hawaii living at RVM, including authors, we try to maintain a robust collection of books with Hawaiian themes or locations.  Our Manor authors include Tom Conger, Jan Hines, Jill Engledow, Madge Walls, Judy Van Zile, and Pratibha Eastwood, who all write in different genres.

I can’t resist including a Hawaiian word that may be unfamiliar to many people.  “Heluhelu” means “to read,” according to former Hawaiian resident Jan Hines.

If you would like heluhelu some of the display books, you might consider the following:

Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, has been popular with Manor readers.  It tells the story of a young girl who adapts to a new life after she is removed from her Honolulu home when she develops leprosy in the 1890’s.

Hula, by Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes, is highly recommended.  More than a novel about hula dancing, it “offers a rare glimpse into a forgotten kingdom that still exists in the heart of its people.”

Facing the Mountain: a true story of Japanese American heroes in World War II, by Daniel James Brown, is included in the display.  This non-fiction book tells the story of a Japanese-American Army unit, many of whose members came from Hawaii, that fought brutal battles in Europe, even while their families were incarcerated in camps back home.

Explosive Eighteen, by Janet Evanovich, may be a stretch, but her funny tales about bounty hunter Stephanie Plum are a guilty pleasure for otherwise “serious” readers.  In this one, even before Stephanie gets off a flight from Hawaii to Newark, she already is in trouble.

Bonus Suggestions!  The upcoming Inquiring Minds schedule includes programs featuring dance ethnology and Papua New Guinea, each of which have a connection to our theme and will be on the display table.

Perspectives on Korean Dance was written by resident Judy Van Zile, who is an emeritus professor at the University of Hawaii.  She will be teaching an informative class about dance ethnology beginning on January 9.  The book is a comprehensive guide to Korean dance, which is comprised of many complex forms.

Throwim Way Leg:  tree-kangaroos, possums, and penis gourds–on the track of unknown mammals in wildest New Guinea, by Tim F. Flannery, will be a change of pace.  This lively book examines the indigenous peoples and natural history of New Guinea and would be a good add-on to the upcoming class about New Guinea, taught by Bob Buddemeier.  It begins January 16.

Aloha from your library volunteers!

Pictured below:  Resident Ann Starego thinks a trip to Hawaii sounds appealing.