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Exploring Lost Hawai'i
CROWE, Ellie and William Crowe., Exploring Lost Hawai'i: Places of Power, History, Mystery, and Magic. 'Aiea, HI: Island Heritage (99-880 Iwaena Street, 'Aiea, Hawai'i 96701), 2001. xvii, 211 p. 978-0-89610-383-2 (hc). $15.99. Index, Bib, Illus.
Exploring Lost Hawai'i: Places of Power, History, Mystery, and Magic is a guidebook for adults devoted to exploring sites of historical and cultural significance in Hawai'i that are often ignored in more mainstream guidebooks for tourists. The book takes the reader to distant times when sacrifices, fertility rituals, and healing took place. It discusses in frightening detail how the sacrificial victims were killed and in excruciating detail how ali'i women gave birth. It also shares how Night Marchers, the ghosts of soldiers who died long ago, still touch this plane of existence today.
Ellie and William Crowe spent the twelve years prior to writing this book living in Hawai'i. Ellie has written extensively and has published Little Princess Ka'iulani, The Littlest Paniolo, and The Lonely Boy Who Became a Mighty King. All three books were published by Island Heritage. The Crowes' work is also featured in the Travel Channel's "Places of Mystery" series as well as in "Haunted Hawai'i" on the History Channel.
In appearance, the Exploring Lost Hawai'i is more like a textbook than a guidebook. This hefty volume (7 x 10 in., 1.5 lbs.) is not something that tourists or locals alike would be likely to tuck into their bag to bring on a trip around the isles. Its hardcover binding increases its similarity to a textbook. The glossy print pages are also more reminiscent of a coffee-table book than of an actively used adventure guide book.
The book is divided into five sections. Each section is devoted to a different Hawaiian island and it begins with a map of the island. At the conclusion of each section, the authors give suggestions on day-trips and places to stay on each island. The "Places to Stay" section is skimpy and a tourist interested in finding the best value for their dollar, or simply learning about what is out there, would do well to consult a book geared more towards addressing this need such as Fodor's Hawaii. The Hawaii Revealed series by Wizard Publications also covers food and lodging, while also sharing some spooky stories from the past.
Each chapter covers a different sacred site. The first portion of each chapter begins with a quotation such as a chant or verse. The Crowes then describe the significance of the site and its history. Impressively, they include references at the end of this section. The authors then share either a personal reflection or story. These are clearly identifiable because they are in brown italics. This is followed by directions to the site, which is in bold. Some chapters contain a line-drawing map that shows major roads and landmarks. These maps are very helpful so it is unfortunate that more are not included.
The quality of the directions are varied and run the gamut from extremely detailed (so even a visiting Martian could find the place) to the other end of the spectrum, where even a local would be confused by the directions. For example, in Chapter 49, the directions to the Pohakuloa Stone in Punahou state that it is "located at the Punahou Street entrance gate of Punahou School, at the corner of Wilder Street and Punahou Street." A map of the area is not included. Although locals would know the location of Punahou School, tourists might be hard pressed to find the "Stone that gives wisdom." Perhaps Ellie and William wish to keep this wisdom to themselves. Frequently, the authors include more description about the site in the directions section even though they have already given the description in a previous section. This repetition makes the directions seem comprehensive when in fact they may be little more than a sentence or two long.
This book contains beautiful color photographs that are appropriately matched to each site. All chapters contain at least one photograph although many have more than one. Unfortunately, although the majority of photos are in focus, a few of the photos are not clear.
The book concludes with a bibliography, glossary of Hawaiian terms, and index. The bibliography is four pages long, and includes such well-known names as Kuykendall. Unfortunately, the authors do not include a pronunciation guide either at the beginning of the book or at the end. Throughout the work, the non-native reader is left wondering how to say such complicated word, names, and phrases such as He-ahu-a-Laka Halau Hula, to give but one example. A pronunciation guide is indispensable and its absence is a serious blemish on this work.
Exploring Lost Hawaii should be in the collection of every public library in Hawaii. In addition, it would be a welcome tool to people planning trips to Hawai'i. Thus I could imagine it being popular in California public libraries. After all, locals and visitors alike should learn about our sacred places so we do not inadvertently desecrate them. If they do not tread lightly on the sacred ground, they too might waken with red, puffy, and swollen legs like a young visitor who kicked a stone at a heiau and called it a 'a big pile of rocks' (164).
Exploring Lost Hawai'i: Places of Power, History, Mystery, and Magic is a guidebook for adults devoted to exploring sites of historical and cultural significance in Hawai'i that are often ignored in more mainstream guidebooks for tourists. The book takes the reader to distant times when sacrifices, fertility rituals, and healing took place. It discusses in frightening detail how the sacrificial victims were killed and in excruciating detail how ali'i women gave birth. It also shares how Night Marchers, the ghosts of soldiers who died long ago, still touch this plane of existence today.
Ellie and William Crowe spent the twelve years prior to writing this book living in Hawai'i. Ellie has written extensively and has published Little Princess Ka'iulani, The Littlest Paniolo, and The Lonely Boy Who Became a Mighty King. All three books were published by Island Heritage. The Crowes' work is also featured in the Travel Channel's "Places of Mystery" series as well as in "Haunted Hawai'i" on the History Channel.
In appearance, the Exploring Lost Hawai'i is more like a textbook than a guidebook. This hefty volume (7 x 10 in., 1.5 lbs.) is not something that tourists or locals alike would be likely to tuck into their bag to bring on a trip around the isles. Its hardcover binding increases its similarity to a textbook. The glossy print pages are also more reminiscent of a coffee-table book than of an actively used adventure guide book.
The book is divided into five sections. Each section is devoted to a different Hawaiian island and it begins with a map of the island. At the conclusion of each section, the authors give suggestions on day-trips and places to stay on each island. The "Places to Stay" section is skimpy and a tourist interested in finding the best value for their dollar, or simply learning about what is out there, would do well to consult a book geared more towards addressing this need such as Fodor's Hawaii. The Hawaii Revealed series by Wizard Publications also covers food and lodging, while also sharing some spooky stories from the past.
Each chapter covers a different sacred site. The first portion of each chapter begins with a quotation such as a chant or verse. The Crowes then describe the significance of the site and its history. Impressively, they include references at the end of this section. The authors then share either a personal reflection or story. These are clearly identifiable because they are in brown italics. This is followed by directions to the site, which is in bold. Some chapters contain a line-drawing map that shows major roads and landmarks. These maps are very helpful so it is unfortunate that more are not included.
The quality of the directions are varied and run the gamut from extremely detailed (so even a visiting Martian could find the place) to the other end of the spectrum, where even a local would be confused by the directions. For example, in Chapter 49, the directions to the Pohakuloa Stone in Punahou state that it is "located at the Punahou Street entrance gate of Punahou School, at the corner of Wilder Street and Punahou Street." A map of the area is not included. Although locals would know the location of Punahou School, tourists might be hard pressed to find the "Stone that gives wisdom." Perhaps Ellie and William wish to keep this wisdom to themselves. Frequently, the authors include more description about the site in the directions section even though they have already given the description in a previous section. This repetition makes the directions seem comprehensive when in fact they may be little more than a sentence or two long.
This book contains beautiful color photographs that are appropriately matched to each site. All chapters contain at least one photograph although many have more than one. Unfortunately, although the majority of photos are in focus, a few of the photos are not clear.
The book concludes with a bibliography, glossary of Hawaiian terms, and index. The bibliography is four pages long, and includes such well-known names as Kuykendall. Unfortunately, the authors do not include a pronunciation guide either at the beginning of the book or at the end. Throughout the work, the non-native reader is left wondering how to say such complicated word, names, and phrases such as He-ahu-a-Laka Halau Hula, to give but one example. A pronunciation guide is indispensable and its absence is a serious blemish on this work.
Exploring Lost Hawaii should be in the collection of every public library in Hawaii. In addition, it would be a welcome tool to people planning trips to Hawai'i. Thus I could imagine it being popular in California public libraries. After all, locals and visitors alike should learn about our sacred places so we do not inadvertently desecrate them. If they do not tread lightly on the sacred ground, they too might waken with red, puffy, and swollen legs like a young visitor who kicked a stone at a heiau and called it a 'a big pile of rocks' (164).
Submitted in April 2006 by Elisabeth Kittredge, LIS Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
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