The 2012 Ka Palapala Poʻokela Awards gala is fast approaching (Friday, May 11), and to generate excitement for the event as well as educate the public on the nominees, I will be doing a countdown that quickly highlights the books nominated for each awards category. Where applicable, I will link to book reviews from Hawaiʻi Book Blog.
For a complete list of all the nominees we’ve posted and for all the updated information on the event, please visit our dedicated Ka Palapala Poʻokela Awards page.
The fourth category we are spotlighting is usually one that does not have terribly many nominees. Just like last year, there are only three books nominated. At least this year, they span sea turtles, fish, and bananas whereas last year two of the three books were about birds! Recent winners in this category include A Photographic Guide to the Birds in Hawaiʻi and Amy Greenwell Garden Ethnobotanical Guide to Native Hawaiian Plants.
[gn_divider]Excellence in Natural Science
Books reflecting nature, plants, animals, the earth, the ocean, the sky, etc.
Conservation of Pacific Sea Turtles
Edited by Peter Dutton, Dale Squires, & Mahfuzuddin Ahmed
University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2011
481 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0824834074
Shore Fishes of Easter Island
John E. Randall & Alfredo Cea
University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2011
176 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0824835644
The World of Bananas in Hawaii, Then and Now: Traditional Pacific & Global Varieties, Cultures, Ornamentals, Health & Recipes
Angela Kay Kepler & Francis G. Rust
Pali-o-Waipio Press, 2011
612 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0983726609
As I previously mentioned, there are only three nominees, but two will win honors. I haven’t read the book yet, but I do love bananas, and am interested in checking out this 600+ page book about them. What do you think? Have you read any of these books, and if so, which one is your favorite?
Remember, you can attend the 2012 Ka Palapala Poʻokela Awards gala on Friday, May 11 at Bishop Museum. Enjoy heavy pūpū, gourmet chocolates by Choco leʻa, entertainment by Ka ʻEhā, and a book sale and author signing. Tickets can be purchased at Native Books/Nā Mea Hawaiʻi at Ward Warehouse (808-596-8885). For more information about the event, please contact aloha@hawaiibooks.org.
