Terry and the Volcano (Book Review)
At 6 A.M. on August 22, 1968, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted with a roar.
A “huhu” (angry) Madame Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, launched thundering fountains of flaming rock 150 feet into the Pacific sky. When Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists cautiously peered over the rim of Hiiaka crater at 7 A.M., they discovered a fiery lake of lava 60-feet deep had filled the crater floor. Half of Honolulu rushed to the Big Island to see the pyrotechnics – a popular pastime for those of us here in the Islands.
Back on the Mainland, Carl Biemiller read the papers and recognized the seed of a good story. A veteran writer/magazine editor, and author of adventure books for young readers, he wove the volcano eruption into an unpublished manuscript which his son Eric later discovered and combined with a second into this delightful, little gem of Hawaiiana.
Uncle George storms into the New Jersey home of his nephew Terry, a 12-year old boy suffering from rheumatic fever, and whisks him away to Hawaii where the sun, sea, and laid-back Island-lifestyle help him recover his health. By book’s end, with the clever use of a kite he learns to fly, Terry saves the lives of Bobby, Buster and Maka during a volcano eruption. “The Kite of Kilauea” exudes a Fifties flavor. Optimism, pluck and hard work save the day, Hawaii’s chop suey of races mixes cheerfully, and the Hawaiian sovereignty movement hasn’t shown up yet to force us to ponder the morality of colonization and annexation in this somewhat idealized description of life in Paradise. We’re all in a darker place today.
But the resurrected, rebuilt manuscript holds up remarkably well. Humor, fast-paced writing, a cast of colorful locals (still recognizable in Hawaii), and a remarkable wealth of Hawaiian history, sports, culture, botany, theology and language – seamlessly slipped into the story – keep this book both relevant and fun for readers of any age. Using Terry’s dreams, Biemiller artfully delivers a primer of Hawaiian history prior to the 1778 arrival of Capt. Cook, and even tucks in the back of the book a bonus glossary of 60 common Hawaiian words – so you’re also scoring a free Berlitz, all for only $3.98.
If you’re a “haole” intent on visiting “Hawaii nei” by plane or armchair, get off your “okole” “wiki wiki” and buy this book. You’re “lolo” if you pass up this bargain.
A “huhu” (angry) Madame Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, launched thundering fountains of flaming rock 150 feet into the Pacific sky. When Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists cautiously peered over the rim of Hiiaka crater at 7 A.M., they discovered a fiery lake of lava 60-feet deep had filled the crater floor. Half of Honolulu rushed to the Big Island to see the pyrotechnics – a popular pastime for those of us here in the Islands.
Back on the Mainland, Carl Biemiller read the papers and recognized the seed of a good story. A veteran writer/magazine editor, and author of adventure books for young readers, he wove the volcano eruption into an unpublished manuscript which his son Eric later discovered and combined with a second into this delightful, little gem of Hawaiiana.
Uncle George storms into the New Jersey home of his nephew Terry, a 12-year old boy suffering from rheumatic fever, and whisks him away to Hawaii where the sun, sea, and laid-back Island-lifestyle help him recover his health. By book’s end, with the clever use of a kite he learns to fly, Terry saves the lives of Bobby, Buster and Maka during a volcano eruption. “The Kite of Kilauea” exudes a Fifties flavor. Optimism, pluck and hard work save the day, Hawaii’s chop suey of races mixes cheerfully, and the Hawaiian sovereignty movement hasn’t shown up yet to force us to ponder the morality of colonization and annexation in this somewhat idealized description of life in Paradise. We’re all in a darker place today.
But the resurrected, rebuilt manuscript holds up remarkably well. Humor, fast-paced writing, a cast of colorful locals (still recognizable in Hawaii), and a remarkable wealth of Hawaiian history, sports, culture, botany, theology and language – seamlessly slipped into the story – keep this book both relevant and fun for readers of any age. Using Terry’s dreams, Biemiller artfully delivers a primer of Hawaiian history prior to the 1778 arrival of Capt. Cook, and even tucks in the back of the book a bonus glossary of 60 common Hawaiian words – so you’re also scoring a free Berlitz, all for only $3.98.
If you’re a “haole” intent on visiting “Hawaii nei” by plane or armchair, get off your “okole” “wiki wiki” and buy this book. You’re “lolo” if you pass up this bargain.
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