herringtonb

For me one of the best parts of travel is the planning and dreaming about the trip before we go. I love to read books that either supply good information about the site I'm visiting, give me a "feel" for the spirit of the place, or frankly, are just a good read.
Any recommendations of a book about Hawaii? I've read the classic Mitchner book and loved it but would like to find something else now.
Thanks for any advice you might have.

Kailani

I like Shark Dialogues, set on the Big Island, written by Kiana Davenport who lives in North Kohala.

And, here's a old thread with a lot of suggestions.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-in-hawaii.cfm

china_cat

I've been reading "Shoal of Time: A history of Hawaii". It's non-fiction, but reasonably readable. http://www.amazon.com/Shoal-Time-His...2906043&sr=1-1

"Moloka'i", by Alan Brennert, recommended in the other thread, is a terrific novel about the leper colony. Really well written.

montereybob

I second the recommendation for Shoal of Time. It is a entertaining and detailed history of Hawaii.

debsnj

Molokai by Alan Bennert, it is about a leper colony, however, it is very well written and gives lots of historical information from the late 1800's forward.

nanabee

A third raised hand for Molokai by Alan Bennert. It is brilliantly written, and has historical value.

mauigirl50

There's a new book out by Alan Bennert called Honolulu. It, like Moloka'i is fiction, but with a lot of true history also.

curiousgeo

If you are interested in very casual, local style Hawaii dining, this book may interest you. "Puka" by the way means hole, as in hole in the wall.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The...9064722/?itm=1

mercy

I recently read the Bennert novels and both give great historical information on the two places. If you have ever been to Honolulu, you can almost picture the streets and places that are mentioned--as they are now and as they might have been years ago. I was really not aware of the Korean information in the novel. The book on the banishment to Molokai gives a thoughtful examination of what the banishment to that island meant and how people must have overcome their feelings of abandonment. I hope another novel is in the works about another aspect of these interesting Hawaiian islands. Ciao! mhm

carolyn

From Here to Eternity by James Jones
The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers (the first Charlie Chan book and the best, I think)
Death in Paradise by Carolyn Hart
Diamond Head by Charles Knief
The Turquoise Lament by John D. MacDonald

crazy4Hawaii

I second Shark Dialogues. But my all-time favorite thing to read was the compilation of writings about the islands by Mark Twain while he was visiting there as a young man. I actually made my way around the Big Island and Maui trying to "walk in his footsteps". I would read his (very humorous) account of things as I went along and the past just seemed to come alive for me. I think it is called Letters From Hawaii, but I will find my volume and report back.

herringtonb

Wow - lot's of choices! I just ordered Shark Dialogues, Moloka'i and Shoal of Time. We're spending our whole time (10 days) in Kauai. Anything specifically written about that island?

sobster

Didnt James Michener write one called HAWAII

nanabee

crazy - I've never heard of Shark Diaglogues, it sounds great - I'll have to pick up a copy too! Thanks.
The new Bennert book called Honolulu also sounds good, and because I love his writing I'll pick up that too.

Barbara5353

I love reading about the history of the islands. One book I enjoyed was "Aloha Kauai: A Childhood" by Waimea Williams. It's a true story about growing up on Kauai in the 1950's.

hawaiifanatic

For stories and tips about safety in Hawaii, especially while in the water, the insights and experiences of lifeguards, rangers, and other safety experts are invaluable and can be found in "Surviving Paradise"
http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Para...3235175&sr=1-1

carolyn

I am reading Molokai after seeing this thread. I love all things Hawaii, and this book is terrific. I'm No. 8 on the library waiting list for Honolulu.

islandsnoopy

I recommend I Myself Have Seen It by Susanna Moore. Susanna Moore was raised in Hawaii in the 1950s-60s so she weaves her memories of growing up in Hawaii along with chronicling the history of Hawaii. Hope you enjoy reading it!

Poipulady

I haven't bought a book about Hawaii recently but here is my list of books I have read - and Barbara - I read that book also it is is one of my favorites:


The Island snatchers -- Janice Kay Johnson



Walk Through The Fire - Marcia Muller



Diamond Head - Charles Knief



Hawaiian Sunrise -- Lauraine Snelling



Shark Dialoges -- Kia Davenport



Lava -- Pamela Ball



Fatal Paradise -- TC Lawrence



Glass Beach -- Jill Marie Landis



Death in Paradise -- Carolyn Hart



Vacations Can Be Murder -- Connie Shelton



The Last Paradise --- ???



Pearl Harbor Murders - Max Allan Collins



After the Ball -- David Penhallow



Born in Paradise -- Von Temski



Hotel Honolulu -- Paul Theroux



A Little Too Much is Enough --- Kathleen Tyou



The Wild Wind -- Majorie Sinclair



My Samoan Cheif -- Fay G. Calkins



Song of Exile -- Kiana Davenport



Silversword -- Charles Knief



Distant Echoes -- Colleen Coble



Black Sands -- Colleen Coble


Aloha Kauai: A Childhood -- Waimea Williams

Jess_M

I brought From Here to Eternity on my recent trip to Oahu. While it was annoying to lug the 800+ page book around the island with me, and I found some of the daily military routine a little boring to read on vacation, it was really interesting to read about the characters' excursions to many of the same places that I was visiting.

This isn't quite on topic but I need to post a plug for my 2 favorite books: For a more beach-appropriate read, Winds of War and War and Remembrance (prequel and sequel) take place partially in Hawaii. The saga follows an American military family that is dispersed across the globe as WWII erupts. War and Remembrance (you really should read Winds of War first, and I'll tell you right now they're both long) takes you across every stage of the war, including the Pacific and Hawaii. While Hawaii isn't the main subject, you'll get a good sense of life on the Islands during the war. I brought War and Remembrance on a trip to Maui and Oahu years ago, and it made those long plane rides literally fly by