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Companies We Keep 2
SIGALL, Bob. The Companies We Keep 2: More Amazing Stories About Hawaii’s People, Places, and Companies. Honolulu: Small Business Hawaii (6600 Kalanianaole Highway #212, Honolulu, HI 96825), 2008. 239p, 0-9724504-1-6 (pa). $18.99. Bib, Illus.
The Companies We Keep 2 is a sequel to a local #1 bestseller by Bob Sigall, professor of marketing at Hawaii Pacific University. Sigall has owned numerous business consulting firms since getting his degree from the University of Hawai’i in 1975, and currently serves as a director of Small Business Hawaii. The initial book originated from a business networking assignment he gave to his undergraduate students, in which they were to interview the president of any well-known Hawaii business. The stories of local companies and organizations published in the first book eventually generated enough interest in local history that a second book was published, which focuses primarily on people important to 20th and 21st century Hawaii, and ranges from Elvis to Joe Moore.
The predecessor to this book, The Companies We Keep, is similar, but has a different emphasis on business information. The sequel’s primary subjects appear to be significant local celebrities, and at times veers into biography more than local stories, as is the case with the lengthy chapter devoted to radio personality Hal “Aku-head” Lewis. However, like the first book, there are still tales of local commercial development, Furthermore, the original book contained far more separate stories--about 450 total--compared to the sequel’s more extensive coverage of just under eighty topics. Several “interviews” and stories are recorded in this book from the deceased, and the author could make his methods of information collection clearer.
The book is composed of dozens of short chapters--usually under ten pages--dedicated to each individual or organization profiled. Most chapters are titled with a question, such as “Which famous musical group began at Punahou School?” (The Kingston Trio). Its style is clear and uncomplicated, and the book features extensive illustrations and photographs, many of which are provided by The Honolulu Advertiser’s archives. The archived photographs are easily the most valuable part of the book--many are color, and quite a few are aerial photos which chronicle development on the islands over the last fifty years. The view from Ala Moana beach park before Magic Island and the Waikiki resorts is particularly striking.
In an effort to further engage readers, the book also features an extensive trivia section at the back of the book, with quizzes readers about famous locals’ high school photos, and answering questions about local landmarks. The Companies We Keep 2 contains concise and generally entertaining stories about local personalities, businesses, and landmarks. However, due to the brief nature of each chapter, the book tends to be somewhat shallow in its exploration of some of the state’s somewhat more controversial characters. For example, Hal Lewis’s financial and personal struggles are largely glossed over--aspects of his life which might have significance in a biographical article. Further, the book is unrelentingly positive in its treatment of contemporary local celebrities like Joe Moore, potentially because of the author’s desire for more interviews and stories in a third book.
Due to the book’s generally lightweight treatment and description of local history, The Companies We Keep 2 is not recommended for serious researchers in local history. On the other hand, public libraries might find value in the book for two key audiences--first, the book’s simple writing style and focus on illustrations, as well as its local relevance is a good choice for Hawai’i readers who struggle with English. Beyond this group, the book is also well suited to Hawai’i libraries which serve a high population of transplants either from the mainland or other countries--tourists, military personnel, or immigrant communities. These communities--who had previously not been exposed to the minutiae of local history--may benefit from learning popular Hawaiian history, and gaining a greater understanding of the public figures who have shaped the community over the years.
The Companies We Keep 2 is a sequel to a local #1 bestseller by Bob Sigall, professor of marketing at Hawaii Pacific University. Sigall has owned numerous business consulting firms since getting his degree from the University of Hawai’i in 1975, and currently serves as a director of Small Business Hawaii. The initial book originated from a business networking assignment he gave to his undergraduate students, in which they were to interview the president of any well-known Hawaii business. The stories of local companies and organizations published in the first book eventually generated enough interest in local history that a second book was published, which focuses primarily on people important to 20th and 21st century Hawaii, and ranges from Elvis to Joe Moore.
The predecessor to this book, The Companies We Keep, is similar, but has a different emphasis on business information. The sequel’s primary subjects appear to be significant local celebrities, and at times veers into biography more than local stories, as is the case with the lengthy chapter devoted to radio personality Hal “Aku-head” Lewis. However, like the first book, there are still tales of local commercial development, Furthermore, the original book contained far more separate stories--about 450 total--compared to the sequel’s more extensive coverage of just under eighty topics. Several “interviews” and stories are recorded in this book from the deceased, and the author could make his methods of information collection clearer.
The book is composed of dozens of short chapters--usually under ten pages--dedicated to each individual or organization profiled. Most chapters are titled with a question, such as “Which famous musical group began at Punahou School?” (The Kingston Trio). Its style is clear and uncomplicated, and the book features extensive illustrations and photographs, many of which are provided by The Honolulu Advertiser’s archives. The archived photographs are easily the most valuable part of the book--many are color, and quite a few are aerial photos which chronicle development on the islands over the last fifty years. The view from Ala Moana beach park before Magic Island and the Waikiki resorts is particularly striking.
In an effort to further engage readers, the book also features an extensive trivia section at the back of the book, with quizzes readers about famous locals’ high school photos, and answering questions about local landmarks. The Companies We Keep 2 contains concise and generally entertaining stories about local personalities, businesses, and landmarks. However, due to the brief nature of each chapter, the book tends to be somewhat shallow in its exploration of some of the state’s somewhat more controversial characters. For example, Hal Lewis’s financial and personal struggles are largely glossed over--aspects of his life which might have significance in a biographical article. Further, the book is unrelentingly positive in its treatment of contemporary local celebrities like Joe Moore, potentially because of the author’s desire for more interviews and stories in a third book.
Due to the book’s generally lightweight treatment and description of local history, The Companies We Keep 2 is not recommended for serious researchers in local history. On the other hand, public libraries might find value in the book for two key audiences--first, the book’s simple writing style and focus on illustrations, as well as its local relevance is a good choice for Hawai’i readers who struggle with English. Beyond this group, the book is also well suited to Hawai’i libraries which serve a high population of transplants either from the mainland or other countries--tourists, military personnel, or immigrant communities. These communities--who had previously not been exposed to the minutiae of local history--may benefit from learning popular Hawaiian history, and gaining a greater understanding of the public figures who have shaped the community over the years.
Submitted in May 2008 by Kate Dohe, MLISc Student, University of Hawai'i at Manoa
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