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Kolea
To paradise they sailed—
There once was a world where hula dancers were experts at spear fighting, where a blind warrior taught his students healing arts...
Where adventure ruled—
...as well as savage fighting. And where young people could build and sail a canoe on voyages to unknown lands.
Where danger waited...
That world was Hawai’i.
The illegitimate child of Maui’s King, Kolea, is spirited away to Molokai and raised in seclusion by a mysterious Hula Dancer and a blind warrior. Trained as a warrior, he is pursued by his evil half-brother.
A daring escape in a voyaging canoe leads Kolea and the other warriors north, and the adventure continues as the Hawai’ian men and women meet natives of the North American Coast and join a community of Tlingit Indians.
But ever yearning for his true destiny, Kolea and the voyagers eventually travel south and point their hearts and the bows of their canoe toward home.
There once was a world where hula dancers were experts at spear fighting, where a blind warrior taught his students healing arts...
Where adventure ruled—
...as well as savage fighting. And where young people could build and sail a canoe on voyages to unknown lands.
Where danger waited...
That world was Hawai’i.
The illegitimate child of Maui’s King, Kolea, is spirited away to Molokai and raised in seclusion by a mysterious Hula Dancer and a blind warrior. Trained as a warrior, he is pursued by his evil half-brother.
A daring escape in a voyaging canoe leads Kolea and the other warriors north, and the adventure continues as the Hawai’ian men and women meet natives of the North American Coast and join a community of Tlingit Indians.
But ever yearning for his true destiny, Kolea and the voyagers eventually travel south and point their hearts and the bows of their canoe toward home.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2015
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2016
I received the book from the touring host for an honest review.
The author's writing style led you into the past and a world of peace, turmoil and beauty unfolded within, eloquently described by his pen. Every page drew you deeper into the life of Kolea and his friend Makanunui, 2 boys trained to be warriors and later as leaders. Each training course made them stronger, developed their skills, each developing their own strengths and they became a team.
Secrets surrounded Kolea and who he really was but in the presences of those secrets he learned everything he could from his teachers: growing in a fierce warrior. His younger years laid the foundation and throughout the story you noticed how he only excel in those lesson he had learned. Makanunui, himself trained along side him and throughout you learn how he too developed his own skills bettering himself in the art of war. As the chief's son lots was expected from him.
Each growing in their own right as men and warriors.
It is a story of growth, learning while the reader learns with them. The detail the author had written within the pages made this an extremely good read and you could not help but admire the characters and the way these people lived so many years ago. Living close to nature they had a deep respect for the forces around them and lived in tune with nature. Their knowledge was evident in everything they did.
Jealousy, power and the every present desire to have more was noticeable in the under current of the plot -even in this seemingly peaceful area. Wars were a constant thing and young men were trained from an early age to survive, fight and win. When faced with danger these two friends had to rely on all their skills to survive and win.
A beautiful woven story that touches the heart filled with adventure and courage, a literary fiction I can recommend to all readers of historical books.
The author's writing style led you into the past and a world of peace, turmoil and beauty unfolded within, eloquently described by his pen. Every page drew you deeper into the life of Kolea and his friend Makanunui, 2 boys trained to be warriors and later as leaders. Each training course made them stronger, developed their skills, each developing their own strengths and they became a team.
Secrets surrounded Kolea and who he really was but in the presences of those secrets he learned everything he could from his teachers: growing in a fierce warrior. His younger years laid the foundation and throughout the story you noticed how he only excel in those lesson he had learned. Makanunui, himself trained along side him and throughout you learn how he too developed his own skills bettering himself in the art of war. As the chief's son lots was expected from him.
Each growing in their own right as men and warriors.
It is a story of growth, learning while the reader learns with them. The detail the author had written within the pages made this an extremely good read and you could not help but admire the characters and the way these people lived so many years ago. Living close to nature they had a deep respect for the forces around them and lived in tune with nature. Their knowledge was evident in everything they did.
Jealousy, power and the every present desire to have more was noticeable in the under current of the plot -even in this seemingly peaceful area. Wars were a constant thing and young men were trained from an early age to survive, fight and win. When faced with danger these two friends had to rely on all their skills to survive and win.
A beautiful woven story that touches the heart filled with adventure and courage, a literary fiction I can recommend to all readers of historical books.
August 21, 2015
This story is incredibly beautiful and eloquently written. The Hawaiian history is full of wonderful legends and I feel Russell Cahill successfully created a tale that does his culture justice. I fell completely into this book as each page divulged vivid descriptions of the land and the Hawaiian people.
I was drawn into the magic between Pueo and Ko'i, along with the reasoning behind taking baby Kolea on as their own. This story follows Kolea as he grows into a powerful warrior who faces the past which was determined to remove him from the world, but didn't succeed.
This story is rich in history, family, and the supernatural powers of nature.
I was drawn into the magic between Pueo and Ko'i, along with the reasoning behind taking baby Kolea on as their own. This story follows Kolea as he grows into a powerful warrior who faces the past which was determined to remove him from the world, but didn't succeed.
This story is rich in history, family, and the supernatural powers of nature.
September 8, 2015
In the tradition of epic story telling, Kolea takes the reader on a sweeping and dangerous journey among the Hawaiian Islands and eastward across the Pacific. Russ Cahill’s first novel demonstrates his deep understanding of Hawaiian culture and history as well as his knowledge and appreciation of native people of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. In particular, his descriptions of designing, building, sailing and navigating the great canoes are fascinating.
Because I’m a friend of the author (and grateful to be mentioned in acknowledgements), I’m only providing a brief review of Kolea, but I encourage you to read it.
Because I’m a friend of the author (and grateful to be mentioned in acknowledgements), I’m only providing a brief review of Kolea, but I encourage you to read it.
August 27, 2015
I received the book from the author for an honest review.
As I have never read any book on the Hawaiin beliefs and experiences, I found the book difficult at times. But the book made for interesting reading.
The author painted a vivid picture and I was pulled along through all the adventures with Kolea and his crew.
Something that stuck in my mind is when Koi said to Kolea 'You have to look your enemy in the eye'. A valuable lesson learned!
You will learn about the strengths of the people, their will to survive and their sheer determination.
A well written book!
As I have never read any book on the Hawaiin beliefs and experiences, I found the book difficult at times. But the book made for interesting reading.
The author painted a vivid picture and I was pulled along through all the adventures with Kolea and his crew.
Something that stuck in my mind is when Koi said to Kolea 'You have to look your enemy in the eye'. A valuable lesson learned!
You will learn about the strengths of the people, their will to survive and their sheer determination.
A well written book!
November 10, 2015
Engaging story and characters, along with history and mythology and cultural insights into ancient Hawaii.
October 31, 2016
I bought this book at an author gathering in Olympia, WA. I have really enjoyed it. Wonderful reading a book that is original, and not the same old shoot em up. The cadence of the book almost felt as if it was really being told by one of the characters. I learned a lot about the early Hawaiian Islands, and the courage and brilliance of sea travel, back in the day. I suggest this book heartily.
August 14, 2015
Review to come Monday, August 17th, 2015.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews