A Hawaiian Life

by Paul Konwiser, George J. Kahumoku, George Kahumoku Jr., et al.

Book Overview

George Kahumoku, Jr., the Hawaiian slack key guitar player, is a superb story teller. He has always wanted to write some of these stories down, and finally has. If you've had the opportunity to see... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970443404
• ISBN13: 9780970443403
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Kealia Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.3" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

A Hawaiian Life: A Most Captivating Biography

I have always been an avid reader and credit that as the source of my strength in communicating ideas and concepts when I teach. "A Hawaiian Life" proved to be a most enjoyable reading experience for me - and not because of the inclusion of pidgin english which I am so familiar with - but more so because of the stories told. George Kahumoku Jr. has lived, as is living, an incredibly full life and Paul Konwiser has been able to capture, through first person narrative, some of the exceptional and wonderful experiences of George. The stories are a window into a lifestyle and are sprinkled with insights into the multi-cultural and multi-ethnic diversity that is unique to Hawaii. That alone, though, is not the allure or appeal of this biography. George has had EXTRAORDINARY experiences few, if any, of us will have. Each chapter is subtitled and "Almost Dead at Six Weeks Old" and "A Shark Attacks" may give you an idea of what I mean. Often humurous, at times touching and wonderfully illustrated by George, this book did what I want books to do - entertain and captivate me. Buy it today and ENJOY! I'll be waiting for more stories from Paul and George!!

More story George, please!

The only bad thing about "A Hawaiian Life" is that it's over so quick. I could have read another 1000 pages of Mr. Hakumoku's story. For any Hawaiian at heart who longs for sitting down with a true Hawaiian and talking story, this is as good as it gets. A picture window into a lifestyle so far from what some of us are living today. Sit back with inu, kick off da kine slippas and escape brah. Feel Hawaiian for a while. Mahalo nui loa George!!

A Book For Anyone Who Loves Hawai'i

"A Hawaiian Life" is a collection of stories from the daily experiences of a contemporary Hawaiian man, George Kahumoku Jr., a master slack key guitar player who has entertained all over the world. The stories are funny and unpretentious, such as an ahi (tuna) fishing disaster; teaching his son to be an entertainer; and adjusting (or not) to life in an elegant resort hotel. The book gives a generous view of a Hawai'i most people never get to see. Illustrated by the author, these allegorical tales are layered with meanings, often spiritual, and they resonate for a long time after being read.