Early Mapping of Hawaii

by Nana Veary

In Change We Must, Nana Veary describes how her family, surroundings and the ways of an innately spiritual people shaped a lifetime search for the truth. At the core, binding the threads of the story, is the practice of silence and a strong belief in its power. From her canoe-building grandfather who used only the trees selected by a native forest bird, to her Christian mother who chanted in Hawaiian to the fish, Nana was set on her course from an early age. It is her journey that unfolds in these pages. Weaving stories and images from her childhood, hard-earned lessons from raising her children and an even wider span of children without a home, Nana shares the metaphysical truths that she applied every day of her life. Nana was a deeply private person and it was difficult for her to recreate and reveal her life, but in typically Hawaiian fashion, she embraces all of us in these pages with a generosity and grace that heals us and guides us home. The book is illustrated by 16 black & white photographs of Hawaii by award-winning photographer, Franco Salmoiraghi.

119 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

Reviews

[Maile Andrus-price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book 4 times. I will re-read it again and again. Nana's journey of finding her spiritual path touched me deeply. As a part-Hawaiian, I rejoiced and cried in her telling of her now lost Hawaiian upbringing. I love the way she was able to blend various religions and incorporate them seamlessly into her spiritual practice. She shares the essence of aloha.

[Alison Bodenstab miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, just simply beautiful.

"Repentance reaches fullness when you are brought to gratitude for your mistakes."
-Nana Veary chapter on "Changes"

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention when I saw the cover. The woman's face said,"I have a story to tell." Nana Veary's Spiritual Journey is a wonderful insight into her personal line of communication to God and the best that is in her. I appreciate the journey of each one of God's children. Nana helped me see my personal journey in a light that made me feel excited to continue seeking after all that is good. Nana is a woman worth getting to know. Her Aloha spirit is powerful!

[Kaleonahe T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annotations all over! I pulled so much from this book and it prompted me to reflect and journal on how I go about and how I want to change going about my life. Nana discusses Hawaiian and overall spiritualism; her experiences have shaped her understandings and wisdom. I enjoyed reading her words for it made the topics of God, Hawaiian spiritualism, spiritualism in different perspectives, psychology, and nature easy to understand and relate to one another. Somehow Nana writes in a way that made it all make sense and believable in my mind. "Change We Must" is a short book (~100 pages with pics throughout) I would recommend to readers searching for personal growth, strength within oneself, connection to nature, and growing the amount of positivity they experience in their lives. Personally, I loved this book and it will be a book I return to from time to time at the front of my bookshelf.

[Tiare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from my brother and want to get my own copy to reread again. Nana walked a beautiful path on this earth. What a great teacher through her example and spirit. 💙🌈😇🙏🌴

[C.L. Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. What a beautiful testament to the spiritual beauty of possibility. The grace we give will be the grace we receive. Loved the line: "I do not welcome and take care of the stranger, I welcome and take care of the spirit of God within him." Gorgeous.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely easy and beneficial and enlightening read. This one is going in my short list of forever books.

[T]

I enjoyed this book. More so towards the beginning, as the Native Hawaiian practices she spoke of resonated more with me.

[Sabr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will read again and again and again

[Sage Ardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and deep. A life well lived.