OF BOOKS AND WRITERS
Ka Pala Po'okela Awards honor excellence in publishing
By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Book Editor
The 2002 Ka Pala Pala Po'okela Awards for excellence in local publishing will be announced Oct. 18 in the courtyard of the State Library. Nora Okja Keller, author of "Comfort Woman" and "Fox Girl," will be keynote speaker. The awards honor books, writers and publishers that have displayed excellence in an array of categories during the past year. The John Dominis Hotel Award, for lifetime achievement, will also be announced. Information: Hawaii Book Publishers Association president Blair Collis, 732-1709.
Among recent release: "Stars Over Hawai'i," a revised version of the classic by the late Edwin H. Bryan, Jr., first released in 1955. The updated book, from Petroglyph Press in Hilo, was prepared by Richard Crowe, a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo; Walt Steiger is another contributor. Among the additions: star names in Hawaiian and the Polynesian Voyaging Society's Star Compasses. Petroglyph Press, (888) 666-8644 or www.basicallybooks.com ... "Hawai'i Nei: Island Plays" by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl (University of Hawai'i Press, paperback). The book will be celebrated with readings and an appearance by the cast of the forthcoming production of Kneubuhl's "The Conversion of Ka'ahumanu" 7:30-9 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kumu Kahua Theatre, 46 Merchant St. Free; books will be on sale at a discount. Information: The Center for Biographical Research, 956-3774 or biograph@hawaii.edu. ... Bamboo Ridge No. 8, the latest edition of the literary magazine featuring cover art and portfolios by Harue McVay, special "4 da Luv of Pidgin" section and short poetry and prose from island writers and others. A free reception and reading is slated for 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at the UH-Manoa Camus Center Ballroom.
From Mutual Publishing: Out this week from Mutual Publishing is "How to Make Hawaiian Musical Instruments," by Jim Widess (magazine-size paperback, $14.95), with step-by-step instructions, photos and text. ... Out Oct. 14 is "The Rise and Fall of the O'ahu Kingdom," (paper, $10.95) and "An Ancient History of Wai'anae" (paper, $13.95), both by archaeologist Ross Cordy (author of the respected "Exalted Sits the Chief") and "Hawai'i, A Pilipino Dream," (paper, $15.95), the life story of immigrant plantation worker Lilo Bonipasyo by teacher and scholar Virgilio Menor Felipe relating in a very human way the experience of sakada (recruited contract workers).
Book events: A reception for "Toxic Success: How to Stop Striving and Start Thriving," the latest release by Dr. Paul Ka'ikena Pearsall, as well as an 'Aha Mele (music/hula presentation that Pearsall calls an "edu-concert") and book signing will be held Wednesday at the Unity Bookstore at Unity Church at Diamond Head, 3608 Diamond Head Circle. Cost is $20; $15 seniors and military. Pearsall, a physician turned writer, weaves Hawaiian cultural practices into his philosophy, which posits that the idea of success most of us accept today is a major risk to health, happiness and relationships. 735-4436. ... Publisher Welmon "Rusty" Walker of That New Publishing Company in 'Aiea, will present a 90-minute seminar, "Book Publishing Secrets Revealed," at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Honolulu Airport Hotel, 3401 N. Nimitz. Space is limited; reservations required. 780-4269. Walker, who specializes in business and how-to books, will answer questions he commonly receives from writers about contracts, royalties, scams that target authors, printers masquerading as publishers, hot book topics, copyright, pricing, discounts, e-books and author self-promotion.
Poems sought: Entries are being accepted for the third annual James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, open to Hawai'i poets and sponsored by Hawai'i Pacific University. Send three poems, 100 line limit. Put name, address, phone number, e-mail address and names of poems on cover page; no name on poems. Send
5-line biography. Manuscripts will not be returned. Prizes will be announced in January 2003, and winner will read at the Ko'olau Writing Workshops at HPU in March, 2003. Information: P. Wilson, 544-1108, pwilson@hpu.edu.
