Monday is already pau, but there is still a lot of great events for those in Hilo this week to round out your Merrie Monarch experience.
Basically Books (located on 160 Kamehameha Ave.), is in the midst of celebrating the 50th Merrie Monarch Festival with a schedule of free events highlighting the music, culture, and arts of Hawaiʻi.
Presented here are all of the book-related events going forward for their Merrie Monarch celebration. For a full list of Basically Book’s events (including the musicians and artists present), please visit their website.
Tuesday, April 2
Hawai‘i, A Novel: Mark Panek will read from his new novel, Hawai‘i, a timely story that touches upon many contemporary issues: education, crystal meth, prisoners sent to the mainland, class divisions, gambling and politics. Panek is a professor at UH Hilo and is the author of Big Happiness and Gaijin Yokozuna.
Wednesday, April 3
Ma‘i Lepera: UH Hilo professor Kerri Inglis will discuss her new book, Ma‘i Lepera, which sheds light on the Kanaka Maoli who contracted leprosy and were sent to a remote peninsula on Molokai, and how the disease and its treatment altered Kanaka Maoli perceptions of themselves.
Thursday, April 4
Kumu Hula: Roots and Branches: This comprehensive book on hula written by Dr. Ishmael Stagner is an in-depth look at the deeply rooted source of hula and branches of kumu who have ensured not only its survival, but its international appeal. Following hula from pre-contact to the modern years, Stagner writes about how this important cultural art form has evolved and changed. Read our review.
Pele and Hi‘iaka, A Tale of Two Sisters: Artist and author Dietrich Varez finds inspiration in Hawaiian folklore and the natural beauty of the native forest. His iconic block prints are collected by fans worldwide. He will be talking story and signing his latest books, Pele and Hi‘iaka and Hina, The Goddess.
Friday, April 5
Engraved at Lahainaluna: Tom Woods, executive director of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives, will discuss their newest publication, Engraved at Lahainaluna, by historian and author David Forbes. This amazing, illustrated collection tells the story of the engravings created and printed at Lahainaluna by native Hawaiian students between 1834 and 1842. Read our review.
Holophusicon, The Leverian Museum: Adrienne Kaeppler, curator of Oceanic Ethnology at the Smithsonian will share her forty year journey to locate and document specimens from Hawai‘i and the Pacific that were displayed at The Leverian Museum in London in the late 1700s.
Saturday, April 6
Tasi’s Gift: Tamara Montgomery will read selections from her award winning children’s books, including the latest, Tasi’s Gift. A retired professor of theater at UH Manoa, Dr. Montgomery lectures on puppetry and folklore of the Pacific. Read our review.
If you would like to reserve a copy of any of these books, please contact Basically Books; or iff you would like a book inscribed, e-mail bbooksorders@hawaiiantel.net with the inscription and your phone number. The book must be paid for in advance for an inscription.
Banner Photo (via)
