Comments on: Hawaii Book and Music Festival (HBMF) 2010—A new direction for presenting Hawaiian culture

By: Roger Jellinek

Roger Jellinek — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:52:17 +0000

Carol,
yes, I realize "Hawaiian Renaissance" is twice-dated. At this point I'm calling it the Alana ("Awakening") Program.
RJ

By: Roger Jellinek

Roger Jellinek — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:50:16 +0000

JAR,
you should be a regular bloggerr on Hawawaiireaders.com!
RJ

By: J. Arthur Rath

J. Arthur Rath — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:24:54 +0000

Behind the Words

YWCA’s Co-Ed Book Club
Meets monthly at noon,
Discusses what’s in books
Maybe missed by quick looks.

One speaker’s example:
“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes—and ships—
And sealing wax—
Of cabbages and kings.”

“Caroll writes about politicians--
Innocent people misled,
Figuratively eaten up.
About corruption--
Politicians growing fat.

“Carpenter’s convincing
The populace (Oysters)
He is rebuilding society--
(While eating most of the oysters).

“Politicians making promises
Appealing to listeners,
Before babbling
Over useless issues--
Such as ‘Flying Pigs.’”

Nihilism? No: Realism,
People Empowerism.
Readers recognizing subtleties,
Looking behind the words--
Maybe revealing surprising findings.

J. Arthur Rath, III is a local reader.

By: J. Arthur Rath

J. Arthur Rath — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:56:49 +0000

Aiea Readers:
Some folks take real close looks
Finding within most books
Various dimensions,
Techniques and positions
To query, discuss, share,
Perceptions to compare.
Such insights are offshoots
Of local reading groups:
“Pidgin’s” Lee Tonouchi,
Robert Barclay’s “Melal,"
L. A. Yamanaka,
Artist Ann Oshita,
An Amy Tan expert.
“Namesake” book and movie,
A “Living Pidgin” play.
Mostly, we read then say
What we think, an hour,
Take turns “being in power.”
S/he says “Consider,”
(Helping thoughts to simmer):
“Hundred-Day Dash Winner:
Obama? FDR?”
“Lincoln’s and Franklin’s gaze:
Their foibles? Flaws? Praises?”
Bond with someone you see
But one hour monthly?
Yes: a single focus,
One book is the locus.
Points of view, broad insight
Helps make a cheerful night.

J. Arthur Rath, III is a local reader.

By: J. Arthur Rath

J. Arthur Rath — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:43:43 +0000

Hawaii Bibliophile

Rising realism:
We’re not obligated
To fill our minds with junk.
“Mental Paralysis?”
Save that for analysts.
Do discover, instead,
Values in being “well read.”
Within the world of books
Is what’s real and what’s not.
(Helps coping with your knots.)
Various dimensions,
Techniques and positions
To query, discuss, share,
Perceptions to compare.
A friend with open mind,
Works as she can, part-time,
Is a volunteer, too,
Likes local cultural “dos.”
She is very well bred
And extremely well read.
“How can you read them all?”
She grins, “TV withdrawal;
“Won’t find much mind food there.
“My mind is a resource
Reading enrichens it."

J. Arthur Rath, III, local reader.

By: Carol at UH Press

Carol at UH Press — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 03:33:08 +0000

I've been enjoying reading your reports on the goings-on in the book world. On the Hawaiian Renaissance, my first thought was of the term as a historical reference for the late 1960s to 1980s, but suppose you're right that Hawaiian culture today could still be viewed to be within the same age and is in full bloom. Somewhat related to that, UH Press has just published a book about the FIRST Hawaiian Renaissance during King Kalakaua's reign, THE ARTS OF KINGSHIP: Hawaiian Art and National Culture of the Kalakaua Era, by Stacy L. Kamehiro. http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/shopcore/978-0-8248-3358-9/
The book focuses on Kalakaua's patronage of the visual arts, architecture, and material culture. I know your next thought--I'll contact the author to find out if she'll be in Hawaii next May.