News Release via Hula Moon Press:
Stories of Aloha: Homegrown Treasures of Hawai’i Comes to Hilo
Island author Jocelyn Fujii will sign copies of her 2009 bestselling book, Stories of Aloha: Homegrown Treasures of Hawai‘i, at Book Gallery in Hilo, 259 Keawe St., at noon November 26. In this updated compilation of articles written over 23 years for Spirit of Aloha, the inflight magazine of Aloha Airlines, the book highlights Hawai’i’s cultural treasures and mom-and-pop businesses, many of whom are renowned on Hawai‘i Island. Elizabeth Maluihi Lee, the Ebesugawa sisters of Ebesu store, Marie McDonald and Honopua Farm, the late Clay Bertelmann, Kimura Lauhala Store, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka’ole, Laka Morton, Hula Heaven, Seaside Restaurant, Big Island Candies, and other homegrown favorites are among the stars of this book.
Except for one book signing during Merrie Monarch week at Sig Zane Designs, the book has not previously been available in Hilo.
“I’m excited to bring this book to Hilo again,” said Fujii, “because Hilo is the kind of town that represents the best qualities of Hawai‘i. Hilo is also rich with mom-and-pop businesses and the spirit of neighborliness celebrated in the book. These are things which are increasingly rare today, things we cherish about Hawai’i, especially in this age of globalization.”
Those who flew Aloha Airlines from 1985 until the airline shut down in 2008 knew they could always count on Fujii’s profiles in the inflight magazine: known and yet-to-be-discovered artists, musicians, farmers, mom-and-pop businesses, and Hawaiian cultural treasures from all the islands of Hawai’i. They were pioneers and traditionalists, old and young, of multiple generations. Over 23 years, the collection of articles totaled more than 400, from which Fujii selected 140 for inclusion in the book. Each article appears with an update, and there are essays and island recipes from former Aloha Airlines employees.
Celebrated actor Richard Chamberlain wrote the foreword, and the photography is by Brett Uprichard, longtime photographer and editor for Honolulu Publishing Co.
The Garden Island newspaper calls Stories of Aloha
“a road map to Hawaiian etiquette, tradition and most importantly, the heart of its people.”The Honolulu Advertiser says,
“…you felt as though you’ve learned something about your community and …picked up some new ideas on where to shop or visit.”The Maui News calls the book
“uplifting tales in bite-size morsels.”Richard Chamberlain writes,
“To embrace the soul of Hawai’i, take Jocelyn’s hand and follow her into the lives of Hawai’i’s greatest treasures: her people.”
Tucked into each book is a complimentary full-color copy of a vintage Aloha Airlines route map from pre-statehood Hawai’i, circa late 1950s.
“Some of the people have passed on, their businesses long closed, while others may be in their third and fourth generations,” Fujii writes in the book’s introduction. “In the spirit of remembrance, and in honor of their contributions to Hawai’i, I have chosen to include some who exist now only in memory. These are profiles of cultural treasures and remarkable individuals who bring inspiration, wisdom, and the message of strength and resilience so deeply needed at this time.”
Part of the proceeds from sales of this book go to the Financial Assistance Fund of the Lokahi Giving Project, designated for former Aloha Airlines employees.
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Don’t forget to check out our review of this wonderful book here: [Book Review: Stories of Aloha by Jocelyn Fujii]
