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Sharks Hawaii
SUZUMOTO, Arnold. Sharks Hawaii. Honolulu, United States: Bishop Museum Press (1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawaii), 1991. x, 44p. ISBN 0-930897-67-6 (pa), $4.95. Illus. Bib.
Sharks Hawaii by Arnold Suzumoto is a short reference guide with 3 separate sections: 43 common questions (about sharks) with detailed answers, an essay “Hawaiian Shark Traditions” by archeologist Rowland B. Reeve that discusses ancient Hawaiian shark hunting and mythology and “Sharks: A Diver’s Perspective” by diver Richard L. Pyle on sharks commonly seen by divers in Hawaiian waters.
Bishop Museum Press (Hawaii’s oldest book publisher) published the book in 1991. Author Arnold Suzumoto is a Hawaii Biological Survey Staff member and the Ichthyology Collections Manager at the Bishop Museum. He has worked at the Bishop Museum since 1975 and has a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Sharks Hawaii” is his only published book. Richard L. Pyle is a diver and also works at the Bishop Museum as an associate ichthyologist. Rowland Reeve is a writer, archeologist and photographer who has done research for the Bishop Museum.
The book’s intention is to provide answers for commonly asked questions about species of sharks in the Hawaiian Islands. It succeeds in doing this by providing a friendly, easily digestible question and answer format. The book is intended for adult readers but the non-intimidating format of the book makes it appropriate for young adult readers as well. Within the simplistic presentation there is detailed information including statistics, measurements, behaviors, historical dates, advice, names (both common and scientific) and illustrations. It is obvious the author is very knowledgeable of the subject matter, but is presenting the information in an entertaining format. The book also scores points for avoiding the sensationalistic appeal of shark attacks. It instead emphasizes how sharks have been misrepresented and on their important role in maintaining the ecosystem of the ocean.
The book also benefits from Reeve’s interesting discussion of the cultural significance of sharks in ancient Hawaiian society. He provides the Hawaiian names for a variety of shark species as well as pictures and illustrations of Hawaiian artifacts made from sharkskin and teeth. Pyle’s entry is a valuable and practical look at sharks (common or uncommon) divers may encounter in Hawaiian waters. It offers advice for divers on how to react and behave when sighting a shark in the water.
The book does have its drawbacks. To begin with, the cover is a bit bland for the subject matter. A photograph or even a better illustration would help in attracting readers. The book lacks any photographs, which could make the experience much more exciting. While there are many illustrations throughout, none are in color. In comparing the book to other similar works (such as the colorful photos contained within Leighton Taylor’s “Sharks of Hawaii: Their Biology And Cultural Significance” and the exciting and attractive cover of Gerald A Crow’s and Jennifer Crite’s “Sharks and Rays of Hawaii”) its obvious the book is lacking in it’s visual appeal.
Each section provides a nice bibliography, but no index or table of contents is provided. The book also would have benefited from tying together the different concepts (general information, cultural significance and advice for divers) in the three sections of the book. The paper binding of the book is also not the best quality.
Overall, the book is well written. The authors certainly provide a valuable and authoritative perspective on the topic. Considering the price of the book (available new from Amazon for $4.95), the amount of information provided, the accessibility of its format and it’s wide appeal to both young adult and adult readers I would recommend its inclusion in a Hawaiian/Pacific collection and in public libraries in Hawaii and the Pacific.
Sharks Hawaii by Arnold Suzumoto is a short reference guide with 3 separate sections: 43 common questions (about sharks) with detailed answers, an essay “Hawaiian Shark Traditions” by archeologist Rowland B. Reeve that discusses ancient Hawaiian shark hunting and mythology and “Sharks: A Diver’s Perspective” by diver Richard L. Pyle on sharks commonly seen by divers in Hawaiian waters.
Bishop Museum Press (Hawaii’s oldest book publisher) published the book in 1991. Author Arnold Suzumoto is a Hawaii Biological Survey Staff member and the Ichthyology Collections Manager at the Bishop Museum. He has worked at the Bishop Museum since 1975 and has a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Sharks Hawaii” is his only published book. Richard L. Pyle is a diver and also works at the Bishop Museum as an associate ichthyologist. Rowland Reeve is a writer, archeologist and photographer who has done research for the Bishop Museum.
The book’s intention is to provide answers for commonly asked questions about species of sharks in the Hawaiian Islands. It succeeds in doing this by providing a friendly, easily digestible question and answer format. The book is intended for adult readers but the non-intimidating format of the book makes it appropriate for young adult readers as well. Within the simplistic presentation there is detailed information including statistics, measurements, behaviors, historical dates, advice, names (both common and scientific) and illustrations. It is obvious the author is very knowledgeable of the subject matter, but is presenting the information in an entertaining format. The book also scores points for avoiding the sensationalistic appeal of shark attacks. It instead emphasizes how sharks have been misrepresented and on their important role in maintaining the ecosystem of the ocean.
The book also benefits from Reeve’s interesting discussion of the cultural significance of sharks in ancient Hawaiian society. He provides the Hawaiian names for a variety of shark species as well as pictures and illustrations of Hawaiian artifacts made from sharkskin and teeth. Pyle’s entry is a valuable and practical look at sharks (common or uncommon) divers may encounter in Hawaiian waters. It offers advice for divers on how to react and behave when sighting a shark in the water.
The book does have its drawbacks. To begin with, the cover is a bit bland for the subject matter. A photograph or even a better illustration would help in attracting readers. The book lacks any photographs, which could make the experience much more exciting. While there are many illustrations throughout, none are in color. In comparing the book to other similar works (such as the colorful photos contained within Leighton Taylor’s “Sharks of Hawaii: Their Biology And Cultural Significance” and the exciting and attractive cover of Gerald A Crow’s and Jennifer Crite’s “Sharks and Rays of Hawaii”) its obvious the book is lacking in it’s visual appeal.
Each section provides a nice bibliography, but no index or table of contents is provided. The book also would have benefited from tying together the different concepts (general information, cultural significance and advice for divers) in the three sections of the book. The paper binding of the book is also not the best quality.
Overall, the book is well written. The authors certainly provide a valuable and authoritative perspective on the topic. Considering the price of the book (available new from Amazon for $4.95), the amount of information provided, the accessibility of its format and it’s wide appeal to both young adult and adult readers I would recommend its inclusion in a Hawaiian/Pacific collection and in public libraries in Hawaii and the Pacific.
Submitted in May 2006 by Tim Martin, LIS Student, University of Hawaii
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