Hawaii : True Stories of the Island Spirit

by Rick Carroll

Hawaii reveals her remarkable true nature, sometimes, to those who venture beyond tourism's mai tai veil in search of reality in this legendary Pacific haven. Discovering Hawaii is likely to be a lifetime labor of love, not easily accomplished during a two-week vacation. Yet insights do reward those travelers who approach the Islands and their people with open minds and hearts, humor, and humility, even if the encounters are brief. Travelers' Hawaii , edited by Rick and Marcie Carroll, whose own combined experiences in the Hawaiian Islands exceed three decades, presents a spectrum of such insights about Hawaii by articulate travelers and resident story tellers. This book features personal stories by many different contributors, ranging from new voices to well-known authors such as John McPhee, Jan Morris, Jim Houston, Paul Theroux, Maxine Hong Kingston, Rick Bass, and Barbara Kingsolver. They include veteran travel writers, first-time visitors, long-time kama'Aina residents and native Hawaiians. Their stories reveal Hawaii in a way no book has done before and explain some reasons why millions have continued to travel to the globe's most remote islands over the centuries in search of "paradise."

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

375 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Preeti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hawaii stays with you. I just recently returned from my first trip there and I've been hit with withdrawal ever since. I really can't wait for my next trip back. To be honest, I really wouldn't mind moving there. I know, I know. So many people probably say the same thing. But there's something about the place that has stayed with me and I long to go back.

In the meantime, I've been obsessed with it and have been reading everything I can get my hands on. This book is full of essays from both travelers and people who live there. I liked reading many of the vignettes and could picture some of the places after my visit. It also whetted my appetite for all the places I have yet to see and things I have yet to experience.

Some of my favorites were:

Hawaii on the Wild Side
What an adventure! I would love to do this.

A Sea Worry
I don't think I'll ever be able to surf in my life, and subsequently get that thrill, the rush that surfers get. But, I still get chills imagining it and good writing really helps me feel it.

Infernal Paradise
Absolutely loved this story, by Barbara Kingsolver.
"Where does it go when it leaves us, the memory of beautiful strange things?"
"There are few enough places in the world that belong entirely to themselves. The human passion to carry all things everywhere, so that every place is home, seems well on its way to homogenizing our planet, save for the odd unreachable corner. Haleakala Crater is one of those corners."

Cliffhanger in Kaua'i
Another hike I'd love to do but am in no shape to try. Maybe one day!

Doing Battle with One Tough Plant
The importance of fighting non-native species and the problems they cause. Love how they just threw themselves into the work.

At the Bishop
This one was intriguing to me even though I'm a super-skeptic.

Honolulu Mamas
Cute!

Sail of a Lifetime
Aww-inducing.

Learning Curve
Short but sweet.

In My Father's Footsteps
Powerful and very emotional piece.

Pizza Night at the Pau Hana Inn
What a wonderful feeling of inclusion.

Beauty and the Beach
The last story, a fitting way to end the book.

[Jarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5