This past Saturday, October 29 was the world premiere book launch for Matson the Mouse at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikīkī. If you didn’t come, (and I know you didn’t!), then you missed out on a spectacular free event.
The ballroom was decadent, the entertainment amazing, and the presentation was both fun and informative. The celebration started with music and performances from talented ʻukulele player Kawika Alfiche, his band, and his hālau hula. Following this was a very educational and interesting slideshow presentation by the author of Matson the Mouse, Duncan O’Brien. It turns out that Duncan’s ties to the Matson steamships were his many childhood memories traveling abroad on them.
Following some more performances, Duncan and illustrator Robyn Drage sat on stage and read through Matson the Mouse, complete with the book’s pages illuminated on the big screen. The book launch ended with a surprise appearance by Matson the Mouse himself, along with more amazing music and dance from Kawika Alfiche and company.
All in all, it was a terrific event, one which we wish you, our readers, had been able to attend. It had something for both children and adults, all within the regal setting of The Royal Hawaiian. Please enjoy our brief photo gallery and a few of the videos we’ve uploaded on YouTube.
To read our review of Matson the Mouse, click here: [Keiki book review & event info: Matson the Mouse]
Duncan O’Brien giving a presentation on Matson history:
Duncan O’Brien and Robyn Drage reading Matson the Mouse:
