HONOLULU – Hawai‘i ’s beloved land has been a historic treasure to authors E.S. Craighill and Elizabeth Green Handy as seen in a reprint of their seminal work “Native Planters in Old Hawai‘i – Their Life Lore and Environment.” The authoritative work stands alone in its effort to examine the Hawaiian people’s respect for their ‘aina (land), and its relationship to their beliefs, protocol and values. The softcover book is on sale for $34.95 at Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica and bookstores statewide.

Originally published in 1972, “Native Planters in Old Hawai‘i ” remains one the most important ethnographic works on traditional Hawaiian culture. This pioneering study of cultivation practices, beliefs, and rituals is the fruit of a brilliant collaborative effort. Mary Kawena Pukui one of Hawai‘i ’s most prolific scholars of Hawaiian literature and language partnered with Craighill and Handy to discuss basic patterns of Hawaiian planting, gods worshipped, class and land division, water rights and irrigation, techniques, tools, crafts and general horticultural skills. The book is an invaluable resource for teachers, students and lovers of anthropology.

Founded in 1892, Bishop Museum Press is the oldest continuous publisher of books in Hawai‘i, and one of the first scholarly presses in the Western Hemisphere.

Proceeds from sales of Bishop Museum Press books further the Museum’s efforts in research, education and collections care. Books can be purchased at Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica, by phone (808) 848-4159, fax (808) 847-8249, e-mail shop@bishopmuseum.org, or by filling out an order form at www.bishopmuseum.org/press. Bishop Museum Association Members receive a 20% discount on all Bishop Museum Press books.

A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years; special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Association members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.