August 25, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BISHOP MUSEUM PRESS FALL BOOK RELEASES FEATURE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE, TRADTIONS, WILDLIFE AND MORE
**New Releases Hit Bookstores in Time for Holidays**
HONOLULU—Bishop Museum Press is releasing ten books this fall just in time for the holidays. This is the largest number of new books the Press has ever released in a single season. The new titles cover a wide range of topics, from traditional Hawaiian practices such as lomilomi (the ancient art of healing) to educational resources for today’s keiki. Some of the highlights include:
Akua Hawai‘i: Hawaiian Gods and Their Stories, written by Kimo Armitage and illustrated by Solomon Enos, is an introduction to over 30 of Hawai‘i’s gods for young readers and adults alike. Akua Hawai‘i offers simple stories of creation, duty, love, and hope that provide not only a better understanding of the gods, but also demonstrate important lessons about life that still remain today. Available September 15; hardcover, retail price $16.95.
Pua Polū, the Pretty Blue Hawaiian Flower, written by kupuna Nona Beamer, is the tale of a curious little koali, a morning glory, who is determined to see everything going on around her. Beautifully illustrated with block prints by Caren Loebel-Fried, the book includes a song on CD entitled “Pua Polū,” performed by renowned Hawaiian musical artist Keola Beamer. Available September 15; hardcover, retail price $14.95.
Nā Mo‘olelo Lomilomi: The Traditions of Hawaiian Massage & Healing, edited by R. Makana Risser Chai, is an extensive compilation of texts on lomilomi from the late 1700s to the present. An invaluable resource, this book will be essential for students and practitioners of lomilomi who want to know the historical roots, the cultural context and the diversity of this ancient healing art. Available September 23; softcover, retail price $16.95.
Surfing: Images from the Bishop Museum Archives, by Bishop Museum’s archivist DeSoto Brown, is the first in a new series of pictorials from the Archives. Filled with some of the most famous images of wave riding and wave riders in Hawai‘i, many of these pictures have never been published before. Available October 31; softcover, retail price $16.95.
Lua: Art of the Hawaiian Warrior, by Richard Paglinawan, Mitchell Eli, Moses Kalauokalani, and Jerry Walker, is an introduction to the history, philosophy, and training practices of lua. This is a must-have for any practitioner of martial arts, as well as students or practitioners of Hawaiian history and culture. Available October 31; softcover, retail price $19.95.
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. Bishop Museum members receive a 20% discount on all Bishop Museum Press books when purchased at Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica. Call (808) 848-4159 or e-mail shop@bishopmuseum.org.
A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife 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 members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.