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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
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| Jan 1 2008, 8:21 PM EST (current) | DrDrewHonolulu | 6 words added, 3 words deleted |
| Jan 1 2008, 8:20 PM EST | DrDrewHonolulu | 502 words added |
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FORMAN, Peter N., Wings of Paradise: Hawaii’s Incomparable Airlines. Kailua, HI: Barnstormer Books (P.O. Box 590, Kailua, HI 96734), 2005. VII, 391p. ISBN 978-0-9701594-4-1 (hc), $29.95. Index, Illus.
Peter N. Forman’s book, Wings of Paradise: Hawaii’s Incomparable Airlines primarily documents the creation and evolution of Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines, Hawaii’s two major commercial airline carriers. Over the course of approximately 350 pages, Forman documents a fascinating tale, from the 1929 creation of Hawaiian Airlines (née(née Inter-Island Airways), to the effects of WWII and the rise and fall of various competitors. The book also details the twists and turns of the feud and rivalry with Hawaiian Airlines’ long-time competitor Aloha Airlines (née(née Trans-Pacific Airlines). The book ends with the bankruptcy woes of both Hawaiian and Aloha airlines circa 2005. All told, the book details seventy-five years of Hawaii commercial aviation history.
In addition to serving as a flight instructor in college, Forman was also a commuter pilot during the 70’s and 80’s and has flown with a major U.S. airline for 20 years. Wings of Paradise is Forman’s second book on Hawaii and aviation. However, unlike Flying Hawaii: A Pilot's Guide to the Islands,Islands, this book is self-published. In addition to his two books, he’s written magazine articles for Hana Hou!, Air Line Pilot, and Pilot Getaways.
This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history of Hawaii’s commercial airline industry, particularly anyone interested in the evolution from inter-island to international flight service as well as the transition from propeller to jet transportation. Along with text, the book includes a wealth of photographs and an appendix that includes illustrations and specifications for all the planes mentioned in the book.
Forman has distilled various elements of the history concisely, dividing the book into chapters that focus on influential players (e.g., founders, CEOs, investors) and events/years (e.g., “War Years”, “Dial 911”, “Aloha Flight 243”). Throughout the book, he also frequently calls attention to influential or compassionate individuals who contributed in so many ways to the islands’ aviation history, showcasing the aloha spirit of Hawaii’s unique ‘ohana. While Wings of Paradise is an engaging read, Forman does occasionally insert some pilot and industry jargon, but this is minor enough and contributes to the authority of the author’s insider perspective.
My biggest complaint, however, is the lack of a bibliography. While it’s obvious that Wings of Paradise is a labor of love and represents a considerable amount of research, the lack of a bibliography is frustrating and limits its use as a research tool. While the book includes an acknowledgement section, this is not a substitute, considering the wealth of historical information in the book.
In spite of this, I highly recommend this book for all of Hawaii’s public and academic libraries. Beyond Hawaii, anyone with an interest in aviation history should also strongly consider purchasing a copy of Wings of Paradise, regardless of where they live.
Peter N. Forman’s book, Wings of Paradise: Hawaii’s Incomparable Airlines primarily documents the creation and evolution of Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines, Hawaii’s two major commercial airline carriers. Over the course of approximately 350 pages, Forman documents a fascinating tale, from the 1929 creation of Hawaiian Airlines (née(née Inter-Island Airways), to the effects of WWII and the rise and fall of various competitors. The book also details the twists and turns of the feud and rivalry with Hawaiian Airlines’ long-time competitor Aloha Airlines (née(née Trans-Pacific Airlines). The book ends with the bankruptcy woes of both Hawaiian and Aloha airlines circa 2005. All told, the book details seventy-five years of Hawaii commercial aviation history.
In addition to serving as a flight instructor in college, Forman was also a commuter pilot during the 70’s and 80’s and has flown with a major U.S. airline for 20 years. Wings of Paradise is Forman’s second book on Hawaii and aviation. However, unlike Flying Hawaii: A Pilot's Guide to the Islands,Islands, this book is self-published. In addition to his two books, he’s written magazine articles for Hana Hou!, Air Line Pilot, and Pilot Getaways.
This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history of Hawaii’s commercial airline industry, particularly anyone interested in the evolution from inter-island to international flight service as well as the transition from propeller to jet transportation. Along with text, the book includes a wealth of photographs and an appendix that includes illustrations and specifications for all the planes mentioned in the book.
Forman has distilled various elements of the history concisely, dividing the book into chapters that focus on influential players (e.g., founders, CEOs, investors) and events/years (e.g., “War Years”, “Dial 911”, “Aloha Flight 243”). Throughout the book, he also frequently calls attention to influential or compassionate individuals who contributed in so many ways to the islands’ aviation history, showcasing the aloha spirit of Hawaii’s unique ‘ohana. While Wings of Paradise is an engaging read, Forman does occasionally insert some pilot and industry jargon, but this is minor enough and contributes to the authority of the author’s insider perspective.
My biggest complaint, however, is the lack of a bibliography. While it’s obvious that Wings of Paradise is a labor of love and represents a considerable amount of research, the lack of a bibliography is frustrating and limits its use as a research tool. While the book includes an acknowledgement section, this is not a substitute, considering the wealth of historical information in the book.
In spite of this, I highly recommend this book for all of Hawaii’s public and academic libraries. Beyond Hawaii, anyone with an interest in aviation history should also strongly consider purchasing a copy of Wings of Paradise, regardless of where they live.
Submitted in May 2006 by Christian De Lay, LIS student, University of Hawaii at Manoa
