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Hawaii
An alternate cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.
Pulitzer Prize–winning author James A. Michener brings Hawaii’s epic history vividly to life in a classic saga that has captivated readers since its initial publication in 1959. As the volcanic Hawaiian Islands sprout from the ocean floor, the land remains untouched for centuries—until, little more than a thousand years ago, Polynesian seafarers make the perilous journey across the Pacific, flourishing in this tropical paradise according to their ancient traditions. Then, in the early nineteenth century, American missionaries arrive, bringing with them a new creed and a new way of life. Based on exhaustive research and told in Michener’s immersive prose, Hawaii is the story of disparate peoples struggling to keep their identity, live in harmony, and, ultimately, join together.
Pulitzer Prize–winning author James A. Michener brings Hawaii’s epic history vividly to life in a classic saga that has captivated readers since its initial publication in 1959. As the volcanic Hawaiian Islands sprout from the ocean floor, the land remains untouched for centuries—until, little more than a thousand years ago, Polynesian seafarers make the perilous journey across the Pacific, flourishing in this tropical paradise according to their ancient traditions. Then, in the early nineteenth century, American missionaries arrive, bringing with them a new creed and a new way of life. Based on exhaustive research and told in Michener’s immersive prose, Hawaii is the story of disparate peoples struggling to keep their identity, live in harmony, and, ultimately, join together.
937 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 1959
5,159 people are currently reading
38.1k people want to read
About the author
James A. Michener
487books3,370followersJames Albert Michener is best known for his sweeping multi-generation historical fiction sagas, usually focusing on and titled after a particular geographical region. His first novel,
Tales of the South Pacific
, which inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific, won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.
Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.
Toward the end of his life, he created the Journey Prize, awarded annually for the year's best short story published by an emerging Canadian writer; founded an MFA program now, named the Michener Center for Writers, at the University of Texas at Austin; and made substantial contributions to the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, best known for its permanent collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a room containing Michener's own typewriter, books, and various memorabilia.
Michener's entry in Who's Who in America says he was born on Feb. 3, 1907. But he said in his 1992 memoirs that the circumstances of his birth remained cloudy and he did not know just when he was born or who his parents were.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,256 reviews
February 23, 2024
My 10th grade reading teacher "Mrs. Fine" introduced me to this very large book. I only took her class "Hooked on Books" because I thought it was and easy A. Read several books, do book reports, get a grade. Hawaii was the first book she chose for me. I read the 1st 50 pages... no dialouge, just info about how the island was formed by volcanos. I went back to complain that it was boring, she encouraged me to keep reading... next 50 pages, just as boring, natives from other lands discovering Hawaii and coming it... still very little dialogue. Again I complained to the teacher... she encouraged me to read just a little bit more. I did... then BAM!!! The story exploded! People came to life, exciting interaction. Easily became one of my favorite books of all time.
So very thankful for Ms. Fine that taught HOOKED ON BOOKS at East Brunswick High School, in East Bruns., NJ in 1973. She introduced me to several other great books during that semester - The Great Gatsby, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and others... and made me a reader, but more than that a LOVER of books. I wish I could thank her face to face.
You changed my life Ms. Fine. I'm forever grateful!
Beth Holtz McKinney
Thank you to all who have responded to my review of this book. I have never spoken again the Ms. Fine after 10th grade to express my appreciation, but her niece was on our school's alumni page & saw a post I had written about her Aunt & reached out to me. Ms. Fine was still alive and doing well. She assured me she would pass on my message & let her know how much she had impacted my life. Thank you all again! Keep reading & discovering!
So very thankful for Ms. Fine that taught HOOKED ON BOOKS at East Brunswick High School, in East Bruns., NJ in 1973. She introduced me to several other great books during that semester - The Great Gatsby, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and others... and made me a reader, but more than that a LOVER of books. I wish I could thank her face to face.
You changed my life Ms. Fine. I'm forever grateful!
Beth Holtz McKinney
Thank you to all who have responded to my review of this book. I have never spoken again the Ms. Fine after 10th grade to express my appreciation, but her niece was on our school's alumni page & saw a post I had written about her Aunt & reached out to me. Ms. Fine was still alive and doing well. She assured me she would pass on my message & let her know how much she had impacted my life. Thank you all again! Keep reading & discovering!
May 21, 2021
HAWAII is a work of historical fiction that was first released in 1959. I am rather a late-comer to reading this novel, but it is one that I have always had on my mind to read after seeing the 1966 movie Hawaii when it was finally run on television. The only images that remain with me, at this point in my life, are one of a man walking on the beach (wearing a stovetop hat and an all black suit!), and, the beautiful Hawaiian people. Michener’s HAWAII has forever seared in my brain a history of mankind who were the eventual stewards of the Hawaiian island chain.
Michener’s is an epic account weighing in at 1,136 pages; and, I appreciate that within the book it contained two maps and genealogical charts of the main families that brought the author’s tale of Hawaii to his readers. There are only six chapters. The chapters:
1. “FROM THE BOUNDLESS DEEP� - the arrival of the island chain itself
2. “FROM THE SUN-SWEPT LAGOON� - a portrait of the Polynesians of the Pacific
3. “FROM THE FARM OF BITTERNESS� � profile of the missionaries called to service
4. “FROM THE STARVING VILLAGE� � the Chinese immigrants� influx as laborers
5. “FROM THE INLAND SEA� � Japanese arriving to work in the sugarcane fields
When reading HAWAII it is obvious that Michener spent four years researching and another three years writing what culminated in a work suffused with the minutia necessary for the reader to “live� within the story. There are historical events and characters derived from real people whose names are changed—all interwoven to present all sides of the story of Hawaii. WARNING: Racism and abhorrent language are evident throughout.
This book is truly breathtaking and heart-wrenching. HAWAII has taught me much history while also giving me reasons for certain experiences I’ve known. My heart has ached for Hawaii since being welcomed into a family by a stern Japanese father-in-law and a loving and musical full-blood Hawaiian (very rare in 1978) mother-in-law. My opinion is that the Hawaiians lost much compared with what was “given� them. I think if I lived on the islands, I would definitely be a part of the movement to secede from the United States.
HAWAII is definitely a 5-star read and recommended to everyone!
Michener’s is an epic account weighing in at 1,136 pages; and, I appreciate that within the book it contained two maps and genealogical charts of the main families that brought the author’s tale of Hawaii to his readers. There are only six chapters. The chapters:
1. “FROM THE BOUNDLESS DEEP� - the arrival of the island chain itself
2. “FROM THE SUN-SWEPT LAGOON� - a portrait of the Polynesians of the Pacific
3. “FROM THE FARM OF BITTERNESS� � profile of the missionaries called to service
4. “FROM THE STARVING VILLAGE� � the Chinese immigrants� influx as laborers
5. “FROM THE INLAND SEA� � Japanese arriving to work in the sugarcane fields
When reading HAWAII it is obvious that Michener spent four years researching and another three years writing what culminated in a work suffused with the minutia necessary for the reader to “live� within the story. There are historical events and characters derived from real people whose names are changed—all interwoven to present all sides of the story of Hawaii. WARNING: Racism and abhorrent language are evident throughout.
This book is truly breathtaking and heart-wrenching. HAWAII has taught me much history while also giving me reasons for certain experiences I’ve known. My heart has ached for Hawaii since being welcomed into a family by a stern Japanese father-in-law and a loving and musical full-blood Hawaiian (very rare in 1978) mother-in-law. My opinion is that the Hawaiians lost much compared with what was “given� them. I think if I lived on the islands, I would definitely be a part of the movement to secede from the United States.
HAWAII is definitely a 5-star read and recommended to everyone!
September 3, 2017
I picked up this book in the library and one of the things I noticed first about the book was that the edges of the pages have become soft from the hands and fingers of hundreds of readers. The book has been rebound in one of those lovely flat blue library covers. In the back Marsha left her phone number on a yellow sticky note which I have suspicions might be for a support group for those that have started and failed to finish reading Hawaii.
937 pages later I can say that this book is a two star book, a three star book and a four star book. I'm always generous so I decided to bump to three star because there were sections that were really fascinating to read. The book is broken up into 6 sections with each section dealing with a new generation or a new half generation with cross over characters from the previous books. I'm sure a good editor today could slice and cut this book down to 600 pages without losing too much of the intent of the writer.
I read somewhere that this book has done more for Hawaiian tourism than any other book published about Hawaii. Published in 1959 and read by my mother, and most of my aunts, and some uncles I would say it probably did contribute to a lifelong longing for my mother to vacation in Hawaii. The power of the pen.
The part that I enjoyed the most was the hard work and entrepreneurship that Michener explored with the white missionaries, the influx of Chinese workers, and later the arrival of the Japanese. Each group contributed to major changes in how affairs are conducted on the island. Really Hawaii was a microcosm of capitalism working the way it is suppose to.
Michener is best described as a storyteller. Sometimes I felt he might be trying too hard to be a modern day Dickens. His writing doesn't have the snap and pop of what I consider to be a great writer. I try to always include a few passages from a book I read to share with goodreads readers so they can get a feel for the writer's writing style, but in this case the notes I made to check back on passages were too bland to get me excited about building a review around them.
I might have given Michener four stars except for the fact that checking with a travel writer, that I respect, I was told that there are simply too many inaccuracies with the historic data of Michener's books. I understand that it is fiction, but I do expect historical writers to adhere to some rules. I love historic novels because I feel they can put flesh on the bones of real people and produce conversations and dialogue that could legitimately have happened. What I don't like is if they take a historical event and manipulate aspects so much that the reader is left with a totally unrealistic view of history. An exception of course is alternative history where I expect the writer to completely change the outcome of history, a good example is Fatherland by Robert Harris.
I have put a Shoal of Time: a History of the Hawaiian Islands by Gavan Dawes in my queue to read so that I can hopefully be exposed to a more historical accurate version of Hawaii. I may find that I can live with whatever changes to history that Michener wrote into his book. Do I recommend this book? I can't say that I would. If I'm looking for a monster of a book that I can spend some real time with again I'm pulling off the shelves. A story that never gets old, and a book that new things are discovered with each reading.
December 23, 2021
I DID IT!!!! �. 🏄🏽♂️👙🩴🌴🌈🐚🍂🍃🍄☔️🌤🍍RAIN or SHINE�. I finished the longest book I’ve read all year!! 😎
The first chapter, “From the Boundless Deep�, is long - but so informative�
describing the formation of the islands.
The history and mystery about why nine out of ten things grow in Hawaii that don’t anywhere else in the world, is fascinating.
As Paul and I explore
the islands from year to year ourselves - it never seizes to amaze the numerous unique plants here - breathtaking beautiful - they seem to thrive like no other place on earth.
All the incredible vegetation-local fruits � birds - trees with their amazing roots - all have such unique qualities.
As for the ocean:
Hawaiians believe there is balance between ocean and land.
The intimate relationship with nature resonates today.
I don’t need a 1,490 page historical book about Hawaii to tell me how magical and lush this place is�.
but having Michener to provide language and history to my own personal experience � (Paul and I have been coming to these islands for 43 years since our honeymoon)�.
Michener- brilliantly-and ambitiously enhanced and engaged my thoughts deeper. �.
as well as challenged my will to continue reading >> it’s long undertaking (especially while reading about half of it during our Kauai vacation)
Like destiny� or *good karma* I was rewarded from reading this book.
I met a native —shortly after having finished chapter 2 �. and asked him
A few questions from my reading�.
A chapter about Kings and Priests fighting - canoe battles, dogging spears —fighting over land, and women �
[those ancient Hawaiian wars and battles were violent]�.
Well, the native spent the next forty minutes with Paul and I telling us stories about his grandfather- one of sixteen siblings - and what the land ‘use-to-be’�.
Our new native friend was a glorious storyteller�.giving us a grand oral account of the Aboriginals, hula dancing, their long standing issues with settler colonialism, and life before tourism.
Paul and I are enjoyed *Everything Hawaii*�. more than ever this year (after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. And…it may have taken many years until I finally committed to reading this long book�.but the timing
just finally felt right!
In the beginning�
Michener explores the rainfall, climate, sunlight, soil, and eons of time in which diverse growing things were basically left alone to work out their own best destinies � fact remains these islands have prospered. Their growth is strong.
Volcanos still build fresh flows of lava.
I enjoyed how Michener described the beautiful oceans �
waiting in sun and storm was like a beautiful woman waiting for their men to come home at dusk, waiting with open arms and warm bodies and consolation. (ha, such a romantic)�
“All that would be accomplished in these islands, as in these women, would be generated solely by the will and puissance of some man. I think the islands always knew this�.
Men of Polynesia and Boston and China and Mount Fuji and the barrios of the Philippines, did not come to Hawaii empty handed.
They were not afraid to starve exactly, but there was no certainty of food on the islands—they had to bring their own. If men came without resources to these islands, they wouldn’t perish.
But if they came with growing things, and good food, and better ideas—“came with gods that would sustain them”—and willing to work hard until their arms were aching—miraculous connections with nature were free to develop and blossom.
As Michener said�.
“On these harsh terms the islands waited�.
In the second chapter:
“From The Sun-Swept Lagoon�.Michener dives into historical storytelling…it almost felt like a legend tale�
with Kings, Priests a sacred temple, and who was the ultimate god.
The powerful people of Tahiti and Bora Bora had a vision -
“We well go up on the sea and find other islands where we can worship our own gods�.
There was dancing men � and a powerful beautiful dancing Havaiki girl with her ti-leaf skirt whirling about. Sexual tension, seductiveness, and evil thoughts of destruction, were all high.
A young girl animated her hips doing the hula dance.
Island parents encouraged their young daughters to experiment with many young men and to learn the ways of life, since potential husbands did not like to marry any girl who had not already proved that she could bear children.
It was an ancient island custom that high-born women could seek their husbands.
Class status …made a difference to whether or not women had independent power.
Brave stupid men - needing revenge—contaminated the islands �.
There was also prayers of fertility�.prayers that came with warnings. A man could see a woman die starvation�
Rations were brought in:
Bread fruit partially dried and rolled for fermentation’s, pandanus flour made by baking and grating the i tasty fruit, just barely powerful but useful on long trips, dried sweet potatoes, shellfish, coconut meat, bonito hard as rock, drinking coconut, dozens of watertight bamboo, and endless supplies of pigs.
Men were more stubborn than wise.
But later ages would depict these men as all-wise and heroic, great ventures seeking bright new lands�. but such myths would be in error�,
“for no man leaves where he is and seeks a distant place unless he is in some respect a failure; but having failed in one location and having been ejected, it is possible that in the next he will be a little wiser�.
This book is packed filled great history- and great characters �.
The engaging personal storytelling (for me), took off -read faster - more -during the second half of this ambitious book�
Hard to imagine all the work that went into writing this book!
James Michener is unbelievably skilled!
A few of my favorite parts were - when in KAUAI�.🌴🏄🏽♂️👙🩴�
“There was one tree specially dedicated to Kauai, and it made both life and agriculture on the island possible. Whenever the powerful north-east trades whipped sea and salt air inland, killing everything that grew, men had planted the strange, silky, gray-green cascarina tree, known sometimes as the Ironwood.
Groves of this curious tree, covered with ten-inch needles and seed cones that resembled round buttons, stood along the shore and protected the island. The foliage of the casuarina was not copious and to the stranger each tree looked so frail that it seemed about to die, but it possessed incredible powers of recuperation, and what it thrived on most was a harsh, salty trade wind that whipped its fragile needles into a frenzy and tore at its cherry-bark truck; for then the casuarina dug in and saved the island. The sea winds howled through its branches; it’s frail needles caught the salt; and all who lived in the shadow of the casuarina tree lived securely�.
“As men rode they saw for the first time the full grandeur of Hawaii, for they were to work on one of the fairest islands and they Pacific.
To the left rose jagged and soaring mountains, clothed in perpetual green. Born millions of years before the other mountains of Hawaii, these had a road it first and now possessed unique forms that pleased the eye. At one point the wind had cut a complete tunnel through the highest mountain; at others the erosion of softer rock had left isolated spires of basalt standing like monitors. To the right unfolded a majestic shore, cut by deep bays and highlighted by a rolling surf that broke endlessly upon dark rocks and brilliant white sand. Each mile disclosed to Kamejiro and his companions some striking new scene�.
“But most memorable of all he saw that day was the red earth. Down millions of years the volcanic eruptions of Kauai had spewed forth layers of iron-rich rocks, and for subsequent millions of years this iron had slowly, imperceptibly disintegrated until it now stood like giant piles of scintillating rust, the famous red earth of Kauai. Sometimes a green-clad Mountain which show a gapping scar where the Side of a cliff had fallen away, disclosing earth as red as new blood. At other times the fields along which the main road would be embellished furnace-red, as if flame had just left it. Again in some deep valley where small amounts of black earth had intruded, the resulting red nearly resembled a brick color.
But always the soil was red. It shone in a hundred different hues, but it was loveliest when it stood out against the rich green verdure of the island, for then the two colors complemented each other, and Kauai seemed to merit the name by which it was affectionately known: the Garden Island�.
I can contest the gorgeous lushness of Kauai myself�.
multitude of trees: palms, pandanus, Bunyan’s, hau and kou…beautiful trees of the islands � their thousands of aerial roots�.
swift-growing wild plum that had been imported from Japan�.
moss-pocked trunk rising majestically toward the heavens.
In Kauai� people don’t run from storms. It rains a dozen times a day. Soon the sun comes out. So people never bother to run or worry about the warm rain.
It’s all soooo spectacular!
Sooo many great things to say about Hawaii�.
�. Almost 365 days of beautiful weather: rain or shine - it’s outstanding
�.beaches, surfing, sunsets
�.Tropical 🌴 flora 🌸
�.ܱ
�.鲹ԲǷɲ🌈
�.the great outdoor
�.the Aloha spirit
etc!!
Wonderful book � Took me almost a month of reading *daily* to finish �
But what’s the hurry?
I enjoyed the meditative learning -contemplative experience!
The first chapter, “From the Boundless Deep�, is long - but so informative�
describing the formation of the islands.
The history and mystery about why nine out of ten things grow in Hawaii that don’t anywhere else in the world, is fascinating.
As Paul and I explore
the islands from year to year ourselves - it never seizes to amaze the numerous unique plants here - breathtaking beautiful - they seem to thrive like no other place on earth.
All the incredible vegetation-local fruits � birds - trees with their amazing roots - all have such unique qualities.
As for the ocean:
Hawaiians believe there is balance between ocean and land.
The intimate relationship with nature resonates today.
I don’t need a 1,490 page historical book about Hawaii to tell me how magical and lush this place is�.
but having Michener to provide language and history to my own personal experience � (Paul and I have been coming to these islands for 43 years since our honeymoon)�.
Michener- brilliantly-and ambitiously enhanced and engaged my thoughts deeper. �.
as well as challenged my will to continue reading >> it’s long undertaking (especially while reading about half of it during our Kauai vacation)
Like destiny� or *good karma* I was rewarded from reading this book.
I met a native —shortly after having finished chapter 2 �. and asked him
A few questions from my reading�.
A chapter about Kings and Priests fighting - canoe battles, dogging spears —fighting over land, and women �
[those ancient Hawaiian wars and battles were violent]�.
Well, the native spent the next forty minutes with Paul and I telling us stories about his grandfather- one of sixteen siblings - and what the land ‘use-to-be’�.
Our new native friend was a glorious storyteller�.giving us a grand oral account of the Aboriginals, hula dancing, their long standing issues with settler colonialism, and life before tourism.
Paul and I are enjoyed *Everything Hawaii*�. more than ever this year (after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. And…it may have taken many years until I finally committed to reading this long book�.but the timing
just finally felt right!
In the beginning�
Michener explores the rainfall, climate, sunlight, soil, and eons of time in which diverse growing things were basically left alone to work out their own best destinies � fact remains these islands have prospered. Their growth is strong.
Volcanos still build fresh flows of lava.
I enjoyed how Michener described the beautiful oceans �
waiting in sun and storm was like a beautiful woman waiting for their men to come home at dusk, waiting with open arms and warm bodies and consolation. (ha, such a romantic)�
“All that would be accomplished in these islands, as in these women, would be generated solely by the will and puissance of some man. I think the islands always knew this�.
Men of Polynesia and Boston and China and Mount Fuji and the barrios of the Philippines, did not come to Hawaii empty handed.
They were not afraid to starve exactly, but there was no certainty of food on the islands—they had to bring their own. If men came without resources to these islands, they wouldn’t perish.
But if they came with growing things, and good food, and better ideas—“came with gods that would sustain them”—and willing to work hard until their arms were aching—miraculous connections with nature were free to develop and blossom.
As Michener said�.
“On these harsh terms the islands waited�.
In the second chapter:
“From The Sun-Swept Lagoon�.Michener dives into historical storytelling…it almost felt like a legend tale�
with Kings, Priests a sacred temple, and who was the ultimate god.
The powerful people of Tahiti and Bora Bora had a vision -
“We well go up on the sea and find other islands where we can worship our own gods�.
There was dancing men � and a powerful beautiful dancing Havaiki girl with her ti-leaf skirt whirling about. Sexual tension, seductiveness, and evil thoughts of destruction, were all high.
A young girl animated her hips doing the hula dance.
Island parents encouraged their young daughters to experiment with many young men and to learn the ways of life, since potential husbands did not like to marry any girl who had not already proved that she could bear children.
It was an ancient island custom that high-born women could seek their husbands.
Class status …made a difference to whether or not women had independent power.
Brave stupid men - needing revenge—contaminated the islands �.
There was also prayers of fertility�.prayers that came with warnings. A man could see a woman die starvation�
Rations were brought in:
Bread fruit partially dried and rolled for fermentation’s, pandanus flour made by baking and grating the i tasty fruit, just barely powerful but useful on long trips, dried sweet potatoes, shellfish, coconut meat, bonito hard as rock, drinking coconut, dozens of watertight bamboo, and endless supplies of pigs.
Men were more stubborn than wise.
But later ages would depict these men as all-wise and heroic, great ventures seeking bright new lands�. but such myths would be in error�,
“for no man leaves where he is and seeks a distant place unless he is in some respect a failure; but having failed in one location and having been ejected, it is possible that in the next he will be a little wiser�.
This book is packed filled great history- and great characters �.
The engaging personal storytelling (for me), took off -read faster - more -during the second half of this ambitious book�
Hard to imagine all the work that went into writing this book!
James Michener is unbelievably skilled!
A few of my favorite parts were - when in KAUAI�.🌴🏄🏽♂️👙🩴�
“There was one tree specially dedicated to Kauai, and it made both life and agriculture on the island possible. Whenever the powerful north-east trades whipped sea and salt air inland, killing everything that grew, men had planted the strange, silky, gray-green cascarina tree, known sometimes as the Ironwood.
Groves of this curious tree, covered with ten-inch needles and seed cones that resembled round buttons, stood along the shore and protected the island. The foliage of the casuarina was not copious and to the stranger each tree looked so frail that it seemed about to die, but it possessed incredible powers of recuperation, and what it thrived on most was a harsh, salty trade wind that whipped its fragile needles into a frenzy and tore at its cherry-bark truck; for then the casuarina dug in and saved the island. The sea winds howled through its branches; it’s frail needles caught the salt; and all who lived in the shadow of the casuarina tree lived securely�.
“As men rode they saw for the first time the full grandeur of Hawaii, for they were to work on one of the fairest islands and they Pacific.
To the left rose jagged and soaring mountains, clothed in perpetual green. Born millions of years before the other mountains of Hawaii, these had a road it first and now possessed unique forms that pleased the eye. At one point the wind had cut a complete tunnel through the highest mountain; at others the erosion of softer rock had left isolated spires of basalt standing like monitors. To the right unfolded a majestic shore, cut by deep bays and highlighted by a rolling surf that broke endlessly upon dark rocks and brilliant white sand. Each mile disclosed to Kamejiro and his companions some striking new scene�.
“But most memorable of all he saw that day was the red earth. Down millions of years the volcanic eruptions of Kauai had spewed forth layers of iron-rich rocks, and for subsequent millions of years this iron had slowly, imperceptibly disintegrated until it now stood like giant piles of scintillating rust, the famous red earth of Kauai. Sometimes a green-clad Mountain which show a gapping scar where the Side of a cliff had fallen away, disclosing earth as red as new blood. At other times the fields along which the main road would be embellished furnace-red, as if flame had just left it. Again in some deep valley where small amounts of black earth had intruded, the resulting red nearly resembled a brick color.
But always the soil was red. It shone in a hundred different hues, but it was loveliest when it stood out against the rich green verdure of the island, for then the two colors complemented each other, and Kauai seemed to merit the name by which it was affectionately known: the Garden Island�.
I can contest the gorgeous lushness of Kauai myself�.
multitude of trees: palms, pandanus, Bunyan’s, hau and kou…beautiful trees of the islands � their thousands of aerial roots�.
swift-growing wild plum that had been imported from Japan�.
moss-pocked trunk rising majestically toward the heavens.
In Kauai� people don’t run from storms. It rains a dozen times a day. Soon the sun comes out. So people never bother to run or worry about the warm rain.
It’s all soooo spectacular!
Sooo many great things to say about Hawaii�.
�. Almost 365 days of beautiful weather: rain or shine - it’s outstanding
�.beaches, surfing, sunsets
�.Tropical 🌴 flora 🌸
�.ܱ
�.鲹ԲǷɲ🌈
�.the great outdoor
�.the Aloha spirit
etc!!
Wonderful book � Took me almost a month of reading *daily* to finish �
But what’s the hurry?
I enjoyed the meditative learning -contemplative experience!
September 2, 2017
Hawaii was the first Michener novel I read, more because of my interest in Hawaii the place than in the novel or writer. Having been lucky enough to travel there several times in my life, I've been fascinated in the history and culture.
Michener, for those of you not familiar with his writing, was fanatical about detail. His histories start with the dawn of man, or in this case the rising of lava out of the depths of the ocean, and proceed on to present day, with interesting fictional stories laced in to entertain you. He was a master of the historical novel and accurate to the point that they are excellent for reading enjoyment as well as learning.
Michener, for those of you not familiar with his writing, was fanatical about detail. His histories start with the dawn of man, or in this case the rising of lava out of the depths of the ocean, and proceed on to present day, with interesting fictional stories laced in to entertain you. He was a master of the historical novel and accurate to the point that they are excellent for reading enjoyment as well as learning.
April 2, 2025
I was taken with the introduction by Steve Berry about the book as follows:
And so begins the epic tale of James Michner's classic Hawaii. I loved this book and the remarkable history of these Pacific Islands that over the years have meant so much to me and our family, haoles that we may be.
This beautiful book by James Michener tells the history of the Hawaiian Islands until they finally achieved statehood in 1959. The creation of this American state is told through the viewpoints of many characters representing their ethnic and cultural groups in this monumental story. And I must say that it was first the dramatic small tribe from Bora Bora that sets the stage for the epic tale that unfolds before our eyes, but don't lose sight of that history for it will surface again and again. And the mix of people from the Calvinist missionairies that first come to the islands and establish a community that thrived over many generations. And the climax as the last chapter of the book, "The Golden Men," as it follows the many descendants who go on to make important and beneficial contributions to the culture and economy and stucture of the Hawaiian Islands as we finally see Hawaii achieve statehood in August 1959.
Aloha my friends.
"Four years of research and three years of writing were needed to produce 'Hawaii.' Its epic scope, length, and breadth proved to be the stamp of Michener's trademark style, one that he would master over the next forty years. Legend has it that he finished 'Hawaii' on March 18, 1959, the day Congress voted to accept the islands as the fiftieth state."
"Millions upon years ago, when the continents were already formed and the principal features of the earth had been decided, there existed, then as now, one aspect of the world that dwarfed all others. It was a mighty ocean, resting uneasily to the east of the largest continent, a restless ever-changing, gigantic body of water that would later be described as pacific."
And so begins the epic tale of James Michner's classic Hawaii. I loved this book and the remarkable history of these Pacific Islands that over the years have meant so much to me and our family, haoles that we may be.
This beautiful book by James Michener tells the history of the Hawaiian Islands until they finally achieved statehood in 1959. The creation of this American state is told through the viewpoints of many characters representing their ethnic and cultural groups in this monumental story. And I must say that it was first the dramatic small tribe from Bora Bora that sets the stage for the epic tale that unfolds before our eyes, but don't lose sight of that history for it will surface again and again. And the mix of people from the Calvinist missionairies that first come to the islands and establish a community that thrived over many generations. And the climax as the last chapter of the book, "The Golden Men," as it follows the many descendants who go on to make important and beneficial contributions to the culture and economy and stucture of the Hawaiian Islands as we finally see Hawaii achieve statehood in August 1959.
Aloha my friends.
August 6, 2020
I made it through 234 chapters of this before deciding I could not take anymore superstition, human sacrificial gods and bigoted self-righteous American missionaries. All done at the expense of the "heathen savages" of native Hawaiians, (author's words). James Michener was a great author, but this is a complete miss. 1 of 10 stars
January 13, 2021
A wonderful read and I enjoyed it just as much the second time round.
January 4, 2020
Hawaii - the place of my birth. My father was stationed there for a tour in the US Air Force and I just happened to be born during that time. Since we left when I was barely 18 months old I have no memories of this beautiful and enchanting place. So many years later and although I had a connection to the island I really only have the most basic knowledge of its history. I had always wanted to read some Michener... and figured that this would give me a chance to try out his writing style as well as learn more about my home state.
Is it historically accurate though? According to the intro only one of the characters was a real person. Nevertheless most of the major characters seemed to be based on actual people or amalgamations of a few people. Why did Michener not just use their real names? I’m just guessing, but I think it gives him a bit more freedom to write creatively. Each chapter introduces new a new main set characters and families. The storylines follows these families and their children in subsequent chapters to add continuity. It is probably a little easier for the reader to think ‘oh that’s so and so’s kid� rather than introduce a new non-fictional character. I was looking things up as I went along... there was a LOT to keep track of - haha.
The events of the story follow history pretty closely from what I can tell. I could tell he did a thorough job researching people, places, and events. After he had this basic framework established he had the simple task of building an interesting story interconnecting all of these characters and events into an epic tale covering millions of years and well over a thousand pages. OK... not so easy, but Michener did this brilliantly.
The book is broken up into six main chapters / parts.
Chapter 1 - From the Boundless Deep - This is the ‘millions of years� part of the story 😀 🌋 Michener goes into great detail of how the island came to be from a geological standpoint. Although this was written in the late 1950s I think the science underlying this part of the story is pretty sound. The science geek in me really enjoyed this - I love this kind of stuff.
Chapter 2 - From the Sunswept Lagoon - This goes into a theory about how the first native Hawaiians came to be on the island. The idea was that a group of people from Bora Bora sailed north in canoes 🛶 around 800 AD. These original inhabitants discovered the new island lacked much of what they needed to survive. Because of the isolation of the island many types of plants and animals abundant in other parts of the world just didn’t exist there and had to be brought. This chapter is one that didn’t draw on specific historical people and events. Did that make it any less enjoyable? Not for me ! I really liked this part of the story and Michener created some interesting characters and plausible explanations for how this all transpired. No matter what the current theory is as to the origins of the first Hawaiian settlers the main ingredients are the same: they were very brave, very adventurous, and very tough.
Chapter 3 - From the Farm of Bitterness - Fast forward about 1000 years. This chapter is about the first missionaries that traveled to Hawaii to spread Christianity ⛪️ to the island. Two main characters and families are introduced here... Abner Hale and John Whipple. Both are sent forth to save the Hawaiians from their heathen ways... Hale... who is based on Hiram Bingham... is a staunch Calvinist and has a pretty much my (or his interpretation of God’s) way or the highway approach to conversion. Whipple - who is much more pragmatic - walks away from the conversion part of his missionary role and tries to do right by the island and himself - becoming a successful businessman. I found the story of their trip to Hawaii to be quite interesting.
Much of this chapter focuses on Hale and his wife Jerusha in their interactions with the Queen of Hawaii. She is determined to educate herself and her people so as to be at less of a disadvantage when dealing with westerners. Secondary to this is to convert to Christianity. There is a lot of conflict with the native Hawaiians on this latter one of course as many don’t want to simply abandon the old ways. In addition to the religious aspects there are also plenty of fascinating aspects of Hawaiian society that evolved in that time including a strict set of laws that not only pushed them into more of a western way of thinking, but also tried to protect them from the whalers and other traders that took advantage of the hospitality of the islands. When a ‘no adultery� rule was suggested the question of ‘which of the 23 ways of adultery should be banned?� I had no idea there were 23 ways.
Additionally... the character Rafer Hoxworth is introduced as well. He is a sea captain that does way more harm than good and can be thought of as the villain of the chapter. He’s not totally bad though as he sometimes surprises by doing good things... Every time he does so, however it seems like he does something particularly bad to undo any of his good deeds.
The loose connection between chapters 2 & 3 is that some characters claim to be able to trace their ancestry all the way back to the original characters from Bora Bora.
Both the Hale, Whipple, and Hoxworth families via their offspring are pivotal to the storylines in the rest of the book.
Chapter 4 - From the Starving Village - it mentions in the book that when Captain James Cook visited Hawaii in 1778 that the native population was estimated to be between 400k and 800k. After 100 years of diseases being introduced to the islands from Westerners... that same population dwindled to 40k... So to sustain the island’s economy Chinese workers were brought in to supplement the diminishing workforce. This introduces two new characters Kee Mun Ki and his wife Char Nyuk Tsin to the story. They are brought over by none other than (much older) Rafer Hoxworth and John Whipple.
The chapter spends a lot of time dealing with the integration of the new immigrants to the island. It goes into the horrors of the Molokai leprosy colony (I didn’t know what a lazaretto was... I just thought it was a catchy song by Jack White). During this time there was an attempted overthrow of the monarchy which led to the US annexation of Hawaii. It also talks about how the plague impacted many in the Chinese community and how the attempts to contain it led to a great fire that ravaged much of the same.
The children of the Key family play an important role in the rest of the story.
Chapter 5 - From the Inland Sea - Bringing in Chinese workers was a big help to the Hawaiian economy. What wasn’t expected by those that intended to use them as cheap labor was that these same Chinese would save their money and become entrepreneurs and develop their own businesses. So the next group to fill in this ‘cheap labor� role were the Japanese. So enters Kamejiro Sakagawa to the story.
This part of the story talked about the growth of the pineapple industry in Hawaii. In the story this was Whip Hoxworth’s doing... (descendant of John Whipple and Rafer Hoxworth) in reality it was probably James D. Dole. Sakagawa works for Whip.
The next major historical event was the Pearl Harbor invasion and the aftermath. Four of Sakagawa’s children enlisted in the military to fight for the U.S. and get placed in the 222 ... this is another thing Michener changed - it was really the 442. In any case this was a primarily Japanese American group that was sent to fight in the European war theater. I found this story fascinating and looked up more about this fighting unit on the web.
Chapter 6 - The Golden Men - The book explains that this is about the generations of Hawaiians that because of the diverse cultural backgrounds look both to the East and the West to mold Hawaii’s future. It is probably my least favorite chapter, but I did learn several things from it. I was unaware of the tsunami that hit the island in 1946. (Dummy me) I didn’t realize that Island Records was formed and based in Hawaii. The politics behind making Hawaii a state was pretty interesting to me. There was also a lot of discussion about introducing labor unions as well as breaking up the oligarchy in the book called ‘The Fort�. The Fort was really called ‘The Big Five� and represented five major companies that controlled much of the business on the islands.
This is the longest single volume book I have ever ventured into. It was very entertaining and I plan to read more Michener.
Is it historically accurate though? According to the intro only one of the characters was a real person. Nevertheless most of the major characters seemed to be based on actual people or amalgamations of a few people. Why did Michener not just use their real names? I’m just guessing, but I think it gives him a bit more freedom to write creatively. Each chapter introduces new a new main set characters and families. The storylines follows these families and their children in subsequent chapters to add continuity. It is probably a little easier for the reader to think ‘oh that’s so and so’s kid� rather than introduce a new non-fictional character. I was looking things up as I went along... there was a LOT to keep track of - haha.
The events of the story follow history pretty closely from what I can tell. I could tell he did a thorough job researching people, places, and events. After he had this basic framework established he had the simple task of building an interesting story interconnecting all of these characters and events into an epic tale covering millions of years and well over a thousand pages. OK... not so easy, but Michener did this brilliantly.
The book is broken up into six main chapters / parts.
Chapter 1 - From the Boundless Deep - This is the ‘millions of years� part of the story 😀 🌋 Michener goes into great detail of how the island came to be from a geological standpoint. Although this was written in the late 1950s I think the science underlying this part of the story is pretty sound. The science geek in me really enjoyed this - I love this kind of stuff.
Chapter 2 - From the Sunswept Lagoon - This goes into a theory about how the first native Hawaiians came to be on the island. The idea was that a group of people from Bora Bora sailed north in canoes 🛶 around 800 AD. These original inhabitants discovered the new island lacked much of what they needed to survive. Because of the isolation of the island many types of plants and animals abundant in other parts of the world just didn’t exist there and had to be brought. This chapter is one that didn’t draw on specific historical people and events. Did that make it any less enjoyable? Not for me ! I really liked this part of the story and Michener created some interesting characters and plausible explanations for how this all transpired. No matter what the current theory is as to the origins of the first Hawaiian settlers the main ingredients are the same: they were very brave, very adventurous, and very tough.
Chapter 3 - From the Farm of Bitterness - Fast forward about 1000 years. This chapter is about the first missionaries that traveled to Hawaii to spread Christianity ⛪️ to the island. Two main characters and families are introduced here... Abner Hale and John Whipple. Both are sent forth to save the Hawaiians from their heathen ways... Hale... who is based on Hiram Bingham... is a staunch Calvinist and has a pretty much my (or his interpretation of God’s) way or the highway approach to conversion. Whipple - who is much more pragmatic - walks away from the conversion part of his missionary role and tries to do right by the island and himself - becoming a successful businessman. I found the story of their trip to Hawaii to be quite interesting.
Much of this chapter focuses on Hale and his wife Jerusha in their interactions with the Queen of Hawaii. She is determined to educate herself and her people so as to be at less of a disadvantage when dealing with westerners. Secondary to this is to convert to Christianity. There is a lot of conflict with the native Hawaiians on this latter one of course as many don’t want to simply abandon the old ways. In addition to the religious aspects there are also plenty of fascinating aspects of Hawaiian society that evolved in that time including a strict set of laws that not only pushed them into more of a western way of thinking, but also tried to protect them from the whalers and other traders that took advantage of the hospitality of the islands. When a ‘no adultery� rule was suggested the question of ‘which of the 23 ways of adultery should be banned?� I had no idea there were 23 ways.
Additionally... the character Rafer Hoxworth is introduced as well. He is a sea captain that does way more harm than good and can be thought of as the villain of the chapter. He’s not totally bad though as he sometimes surprises by doing good things... Every time he does so, however it seems like he does something particularly bad to undo any of his good deeds.
The loose connection between chapters 2 & 3 is that some characters claim to be able to trace their ancestry all the way back to the original characters from Bora Bora.
Both the Hale, Whipple, and Hoxworth families via their offspring are pivotal to the storylines in the rest of the book.
Chapter 4 - From the Starving Village - it mentions in the book that when Captain James Cook visited Hawaii in 1778 that the native population was estimated to be between 400k and 800k. After 100 years of diseases being introduced to the islands from Westerners... that same population dwindled to 40k... So to sustain the island’s economy Chinese workers were brought in to supplement the diminishing workforce. This introduces two new characters Kee Mun Ki and his wife Char Nyuk Tsin to the story. They are brought over by none other than (much older) Rafer Hoxworth and John Whipple.
The chapter spends a lot of time dealing with the integration of the new immigrants to the island. It goes into the horrors of the Molokai leprosy colony (I didn’t know what a lazaretto was... I just thought it was a catchy song by Jack White). During this time there was an attempted overthrow of the monarchy which led to the US annexation of Hawaii. It also talks about how the plague impacted many in the Chinese community and how the attempts to contain it led to a great fire that ravaged much of the same.
The children of the Key family play an important role in the rest of the story.
Chapter 5 - From the Inland Sea - Bringing in Chinese workers was a big help to the Hawaiian economy. What wasn’t expected by those that intended to use them as cheap labor was that these same Chinese would save their money and become entrepreneurs and develop their own businesses. So the next group to fill in this ‘cheap labor� role were the Japanese. So enters Kamejiro Sakagawa to the story.
This part of the story talked about the growth of the pineapple industry in Hawaii. In the story this was Whip Hoxworth’s doing... (descendant of John Whipple and Rafer Hoxworth) in reality it was probably James D. Dole. Sakagawa works for Whip.
The next major historical event was the Pearl Harbor invasion and the aftermath. Four of Sakagawa’s children enlisted in the military to fight for the U.S. and get placed in the 222 ... this is another thing Michener changed - it was really the 442. In any case this was a primarily Japanese American group that was sent to fight in the European war theater. I found this story fascinating and looked up more about this fighting unit on the web.
Chapter 6 - The Golden Men - The book explains that this is about the generations of Hawaiians that because of the diverse cultural backgrounds look both to the East and the West to mold Hawaii’s future. It is probably my least favorite chapter, but I did learn several things from it. I was unaware of the tsunami that hit the island in 1946. (Dummy me) I didn’t realize that Island Records was formed and based in Hawaii. The politics behind making Hawaii a state was pretty interesting to me. There was also a lot of discussion about introducing labor unions as well as breaking up the oligarchy in the book called ‘The Fort�. The Fort was really called ‘The Big Five� and represented five major companies that controlled much of the business on the islands.
This is the longest single volume book I have ever ventured into. It was very entertaining and I plan to read more Michener.
August 23, 2008
I needed a bottle of wine and some stimulants to get through this one, and I'm Hawaiian! The opening is enthralling but skip the entire middle section. I couldn't get past the missionary section and had to keep a barf bucket close by... I loved the rest.
November 26, 2017
"Hawaii" book cover best suited for "West Wind to Hawaii".
ON April 1 and 2 I read James A. Michener’s West Wind to Hawaii and loved it immensely. Actually, I read it in a volume of Reader's Digest Condensed Books whose editors have taken the liberty of describing the story of only the first generation of a Polynesian tribe that leaves the island of Bora Bora heading off for the North on a canoe named "West Wind to Hawaii" in search of Havaiki -- which probably became Hawaii with the passage of time.
James Michener and his wife, Mari, at home with their formidable art collection.
By the way, Hawaii for Mr Michener was just not a literary interest, it was also his home. He and his Japanese wife lived in a house given to them by a group of Hawaiians -- in the hope that he would write the story of their people. With his epic Hawaii he did exactly that, writing about the stories of five or six generations of the island's original settlers. Of course, he mixed it with spicy tit-bits of fiction.
"The author did much through his writing, through his travels, and in his personal life to foster sympathetic understanding between the West and the people of the Orient."
The beautiful Jocelyne LaGarde was a Tahitian who became famous for her one acting role in the 1966 motion picture, Hawaii.
Sixty Bora Bora islanders, including their King Tamatoa, his younger brother Teroro and their sister Natabu, set off on their perilous journey via sea with food, supplies and a house for their rock gods. Constellations help them in finding their way. Once they almost run out of food and water, so a storm with heavy rain helps them in quenching their thirst. Thus, they are provided a new life.
“On the long voyage spirited Teroro put together the rough chant that would be remembered in the islands for generations after his death and which served to guide subsequent canoes from Tahiti to the new Havaiki:
Wait for the west wind, wait for the west wind!
Then sail to Nuku Hiva of the dark bays
To find the constant star.
Hold to it, hold to it
Till wild Ta’aroa sends the winds.
Then speed to the clouds where Pere waits.
Watch for her flames, the flames of Pere,
Till great Tane brings the land,
Brings Havaiki-of-the-North
Sleeping beneath the Little Eyes.�
Ta’aroa and Tane are the names of two rock gods while Pere is the name of a volcano rock goddess. Little Eyes is the name of a constellation of three stars which help in locating Havaiki.
James Michener, with a painting of himself, at his home in Pennsylvania in 1962. At the time he was running for the United States Congress.
Tamatoa and Teroro's aunt Teura can predict the future with the help of omens. Mano, the great blue shark, also comes to her aid. She can converse with it and find the right course to their destination.
The islanders surely had some strange customs which with the coming of the missionaries a century or more later became taboo. "The woman with whom the king lay was his sister. It had been believed since ancient times in the islands that for a king to breed an heir who would combine the finest lineage and utmost sanctity he must mate only with his full-blood sister; although both Tamatoa and Natabu might also take other spouses, their principal obligation was the production of royal descendants."
On May 12, 2008 a 59 definitive stamp was issued to honour James Michener as part of the Distinguished Americans series...printed in small panes of 20.
One film equals one Oscar nomination for the French (Tahitian) Jocelyne LaGarde.
December 23, 2021
I had loved Michener's 'Big Books' for years, but when I tried , I just couldn't get into it. Then, a few years later, I was organising a trip there with our young kids (we'd been there before on the way to visit US rellies), but this trip I made plans to stay on the island of Kauai. I dug out the book and absolutely ate it up!
Sometimes you just have to wait for the right reason and the right time! I loved it - the history and everything.
This was decades ago (not even sure of the year!), so I can't vouch for how I'd feel about it today, but I was just reminded of it and thought I'd add a few words.
Sometimes you just have to wait for the right reason and the right time! I loved it - the history and everything.
This was decades ago (not even sure of the year!), so I can't vouch for how I'd feel about it today, but I was just reminded of it and thought I'd add a few words.
November 11, 2021
This is a great book by the master. He gives an excellent history of the state of Hawaii. The only problem I have with this author's writings is it takes him a hell of a long time to get the scene set.
November 25, 2015
This is the first Michener book I've read and I found it to be quite unique. It's a pretty huge book but reads quickly. Despite being fictional it feels like non-fiction and sent me to Wikipedia countless times looking for real life equivalents of the characters and events. The author's ideas and world view come through pretty strongly especially since large chunks of the story are told by an omniscient narrator. It was also a bit jarring, but probably accurate, to see how racist many of the characters were.
I found the first three sections to be quite riveting. But I bogged down a bit in the fourth section and from then on felt a sense of déjà vu as endless missionary descendants took advantage of successive waves of immigrants. It's probably a good book to read if you are interested in Hawaiian history if not for accuracy but more to give a broad brush idea of the players and to send you on to more authoritative sources. Also reading it after leaving Hawaii (you might be hard pressed to finish it during your visit) is a cheap and effective way of virtually extending your vacation.
I found the first three sections to be quite riveting. But I bogged down a bit in the fourth section and from then on felt a sense of déjà vu as endless missionary descendants took advantage of successive waves of immigrants. It's probably a good book to read if you are interested in Hawaiian history if not for accuracy but more to give a broad brush idea of the players and to send you on to more authoritative sources. Also reading it after leaving Hawaii (you might be hard pressed to finish it during your visit) is a cheap and effective way of virtually extending your vacation.
February 9, 2017
As in all of Michener's books, this is a sweeping story of the history of Hawai'i from the precolonial period until today. The characters are a bit two-dimensional but the story is still fascinating and it makes you want to fly to Honolulu, sweep away the hordes of Japanese tourists and try to imagine it without all the horrid hotels littering the littoral towards Diamond Head.
![Profile Image for Terence M - [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 13, 2021
I bought this book during my first trip to Hawaii in 1980 and started reading while I was there.
Forty years later, I do not remember a great deal about the book, except for the influence of the missionaries and, later the Japanese. Also, while it was a very long book, I remember it as being quite enjoyable.
A GR friend recently 'liked' my having read Hawaii (thank you, Beata😙), so here I am, making my own minor contribution.
Jeffrey Keeten's review is, as usual, eloquently written and informative. For his real review of Hawaii, see below or go to /review/show...
Forty years later, I do not remember a great deal about the book, except for the influence of the missionaries and, later the Japanese. Also, while it was a very long book, I remember it as being quite enjoyable.
A GR friend recently 'liked' my having read Hawaii (thank you, Beata😙), so here I am, making my own minor contribution.
Jeffrey Keeten's review is, as usual, eloquently written and informative. For his real review of Hawaii, see below or go to /review/show...
November 4, 2017
Probably a 4.5**** for me. Written back in 1954, Hawaii is Michener's 2nd novel but his historical fiction formula is already set. We take thousands of years of natural history to set the scene, and then we move through the years with a cast of characters and their families. It is there book after book and it never gets old, it never gets dull and it is always both entertaining and educational as I learn a lot about aspects of history and society in each of his books.
Here his style is still the same, but he segments every chapter (there are only 6), and in this way even though we focus on the different peoples who have come to help develop Hawaii they are always blended with the older characters or their families we read about earlier. We have the Tahitians arriving to settle Hawaii, then the Missionaries, the Chinese, Japanese and then the Golden Children (the blending of all races and nationalities). His research is impeccable and his story is both true and what makes him, for me, the best historical fiction author is that his observations and intimations of where the characters and societies are heading are almost always accurate even 60+ years after he wrote this novel. It is seen over and over again in all his works.
James Michener is just a marvelous author, and you know that when you start one of his epic novels you are looking at 900+ pages of reading. But none are wasted or throwaway pages, none are surplus pages written to hit a page requirement. Each and every word and observation is structured in such a way that we truly get the flavor of the islands or any other area he writes about.
Yes, all these years after his death he still is The Godfather of Historical Fiction!
Here his style is still the same, but he segments every chapter (there are only 6), and in this way even though we focus on the different peoples who have come to help develop Hawaii they are always blended with the older characters or their families we read about earlier. We have the Tahitians arriving to settle Hawaii, then the Missionaries, the Chinese, Japanese and then the Golden Children (the blending of all races and nationalities). His research is impeccable and his story is both true and what makes him, for me, the best historical fiction author is that his observations and intimations of where the characters and societies are heading are almost always accurate even 60+ years after he wrote this novel. It is seen over and over again in all his works.
James Michener is just a marvelous author, and you know that when you start one of his epic novels you are looking at 900+ pages of reading. But none are wasted or throwaway pages, none are surplus pages written to hit a page requirement. Each and every word and observation is structured in such a way that we truly get the flavor of the islands or any other area he writes about.
Yes, all these years after his death he still is The Godfather of Historical Fiction!
November 19, 2013
This was my second Michener. I read "Alaska" last spring in preparation for traveling through that state. That book provided me with not facts but with a sort of historical frame of reference--from early pre-history to state-hood--through which to view the place and the people. I wanted the same for my trip to Hawaii.
While I feel reluctant to dedicate myself to 1,000 pages because it precludes dipping into other books for the duration, this book provided quite compelling reading. (I needed to read it in ten days to get it back to the library by due date, and I was able to do that without too much struggle.) I like crossing decades and centuries and finding the offspring of the original protagonists and antagonists in new circumstances, situations, and dilemmas.
Above all, I am amazed at Michener's ability to tell many great tales virtually in summary form in order to fit it all in to "only" 1,000 pages. I highly recommend this book which is, in the end, primarily about the sociology of economics. (Who knew?)
While I feel reluctant to dedicate myself to 1,000 pages because it precludes dipping into other books for the duration, this book provided quite compelling reading. (I needed to read it in ten days to get it back to the library by due date, and I was able to do that without too much struggle.) I like crossing decades and centuries and finding the offspring of the original protagonists and antagonists in new circumstances, situations, and dilemmas.
Above all, I am amazed at Michener's ability to tell many great tales virtually in summary form in order to fit it all in to "only" 1,000 pages. I highly recommend this book which is, in the end, primarily about the sociology of economics. (Who knew?)
September 10, 2008
This was a great book, but it had my eternal problem with Michener. The modern stuff is just so much more boring than the older stuff, and it goes off on ridiculous tangents that go nowhere. It is especially frustrating here, because the core story is wonderful. Each chapter, of the first four, is great, the first deals with the Polynesians, then the Missionaries, then the Chinese, then Japanese. Each focuses primarily on one family, with other characters woven in, and he has such a knack for creating people. It's easy to get caught up in these people and their lives. And it's admirable how fair he is with each ethnic group, he treats each one equally, doesn't claim that anyone is perfect, everyone has their faults, and their skills, and each is a vital part of the big picture. But once he gets to the end, and people have to start representing things, he loses it. All of a sudden characters appear out of nowhere to illuminate something supposedly profound, and then, whoops, there was a tidal wave and that one dies. No harm, no foul, the important character got to have some soul searching and then he and the readers conveniently don't have to deal with this extra character. The worst is an extended digression in which an old patrician white character learns valuable lessons (about something...sex? women? cooking with coconuts?) by sleeping with a 15 year old Polynesian girl. She's happy about it all though, because he's a good dancer and because he needs to learn...things.
And then Michener waits until the very end of the book to spring this incredible groaner of a surprise, where we learn that this book has been narrarated by one of the main characters, even though this was never even hinted at before, and even though this ruins the attitude that each primary family is to be taken as equal to the others. Bah! I'm sure he was delighted with his little literary trick and excited by the equally crummy fake nararration that he gave to "Centennial" later. Boy, I wish this guy hadn't won a pulitzer for his first book, because I'll bet he never had to listen to an editor again, and it would have helped.
However, I stand by the four stars. 90% of the time, the book is terrific.
And then Michener waits until the very end of the book to spring this incredible groaner of a surprise, where we learn that this book has been narrarated by one of the main characters, even though this was never even hinted at before, and even though this ruins the attitude that each primary family is to be taken as equal to the others. Bah! I'm sure he was delighted with his little literary trick and excited by the equally crummy fake nararration that he gave to "Centennial" later. Boy, I wish this guy hadn't won a pulitzer for his first book, because I'll bet he never had to listen to an editor again, and it would have helped.
However, I stand by the four stars. 90% of the time, the book is terrific.
July 21, 2018
1.5 stars - I didn't like it.
Sigh…� I have heard such marvelous things about Michener that I have acquired quite a few of his books over the years as I found them on sale here and there. Yet, this was the first one I settled in to read, eagerly anticipating it as I have an extended trip to Hawaii coming up just around the corner.
The first chapter was interesting, as he discussed the geologic formation of the Hawaiian islands and what was going on elsewhere in the world at the time. And then characters walked on to the page and they brought oh so much disappointment with them for this reader.
I found the dialogue to be painfully stilted, an utter lack of setting the scene (I knew the plot was currently in Bora Bora because it was stated over and over and over, but I sure didn’t feel like I was armchair traveling), completely forgettable characters and a level of disengagement that required a forced focus to continue paying attention to what I was reading.
"Will you go north with me?"
"Yes."
"Are you hurt?"
"My shoulder."
"Broken?"
"No."
"Wait for me at the canoe." He thrust her toward the shore and then caught her again, muttering, "We have come to kill your father. Do you still want to go?"
"I’ll wait at the canoe," she said. Now he heard Mato shout, "We've found him!�
Keep reading, I said to myself. It’s going to get better. But at 125 pages in, the thought of continuing for another 1000+ pages does not appeal even one iota to me, and I will be setting this one aside. I like to think that one day I will pick up one of the other dozen or so works I have acquired by this author, but honestly, it’s difficult when you have such a long TBR list to give them another go when the first impression was so dissatisfying. Might, might not.
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First Sentence: Millions upon millions of years ago, when the continents were already formed and the principal features of the earth had been decided, there existed, then as now, one aspect of the world that dwarfed all others.
Sigh…� I have heard such marvelous things about Michener that I have acquired quite a few of his books over the years as I found them on sale here and there. Yet, this was the first one I settled in to read, eagerly anticipating it as I have an extended trip to Hawaii coming up just around the corner.
The first chapter was interesting, as he discussed the geologic formation of the Hawaiian islands and what was going on elsewhere in the world at the time. And then characters walked on to the page and they brought oh so much disappointment with them for this reader.
I found the dialogue to be painfully stilted, an utter lack of setting the scene (I knew the plot was currently in Bora Bora because it was stated over and over and over, but I sure didn’t feel like I was armchair traveling), completely forgettable characters and a level of disengagement that required a forced focus to continue paying attention to what I was reading.
"Will you go north with me?"
"Yes."
"Are you hurt?"
"My shoulder."
"Broken?"
"No."
"Wait for me at the canoe." He thrust her toward the shore and then caught her again, muttering, "We have come to kill your father. Do you still want to go?"
"I’ll wait at the canoe," she said. Now he heard Mato shout, "We've found him!�
Keep reading, I said to myself. It’s going to get better. But at 125 pages in, the thought of continuing for another 1000+ pages does not appeal even one iota to me, and I will be setting this one aside. I like to think that one day I will pick up one of the other dozen or so works I have acquired by this author, but honestly, it’s difficult when you have such a long TBR list to give them another go when the first impression was so dissatisfying. Might, might not.
-------------------------------------------
First Sentence: Millions upon millions of years ago, when the continents were already formed and the principal features of the earth had been decided, there existed, then as now, one aspect of the world that dwarfed all others.
January 24, 2021
My first Michener experience at the tender age of 12. I will never forget the opening scenes of Hawaii. Michener is a painter of words, I felt the explosions of the Earth as the volcanoes erupted, saw the multiplicity of the colors when the lava flowed into the sea. And that was just the first chapter!
Long before social justice was trendy, Michener took on issues of religious oppression, sexual slavery, and so many more while weaving a thousand page plus plot that kept you inextricably linked to the very end. Hawaii is one of Michener's best!
Long before social justice was trendy, Michener took on issues of religious oppression, sexual slavery, and so many more while weaving a thousand page plus plot that kept you inextricably linked to the very end. Hawaii is one of Michener's best!
October 2, 2020
A very interesting historical fiction about the island Hawaii.James A. Michener is a MASTER STORY TELLER.
June 30, 2016
An intensely lonnn.....ng but beautiful read, this one ! :) :)
Six chapters, that have their own throughput.
From the Boundless Deep, is such a well-put story of the process of how the geological forces through their temporally long ages brought forth into being the beautiful islands that would be later called as 'Hawaii'. :)
From the Sun-Swept Lagoon, is the story of the people of the Polynesian Islands, their fights, their gods, their ideas, and how they (from the island of Bora Bora) eventually became the first to inhabit the Hawaiian islands.
From the Farm of Bitterness, speaks about the intrusive oncomings of the Christian missionaries in the early 1800s, and how they later play their part in transforming the Hawaiian's 'old' ideas into 'new'. The sea-voyage of the ten missionaries to Hawaii from Boston, around Cape Horn (the southern tip of South America) was a very interesting part indeed.
From the Starving Village, describes the continuing transformation of the Hawaiian society, but now with the influx of immigrating Chinese from their starving villages of their homeland, to work on the pineapple and sugar plantations. Contains quiet a few pages dedicated to the effect on the society after leprosy reached the islands, and its related happenings on the island leper colony of Molokai. This was scary, sad, and extremely touching. But so much worth reading and knowing, and understanding what people have gone through. That is the best part of a historical-fiction over typical history non-fiction.
From the Inland Sea, covers the Japanese immigrants on the Hawaii Islands, and how they are set to replace the Chinese Workers. Also contains the bombing of the Pearl Harbour, and how the Japanese on the islands fight for America in the Second World War in Europe.
The Golden Men, deals with how the commingling of various peoples in Hawaii in the past, have produced something called as 'The Golden Man', someone who now has a different way of thinking than his progenitors. Four such Golden Men have been described in this chapter, narrated from a POV of one of them. This chapter also covers the changes that are brought about in the culture, economics, and politics of the society of Hawaii, mainly brought about by intermarriages between groups.
Overall, I loved the book, but certain places became slightly boring. However this was due to monotony and my personal interest of matters laid within the scope of the book. Michener's writing style, is no doubt, smooth, rich, vivid, sweeping, and terrific! Covers several areas: Geological, Sea-Voyages, Shamanism, Christianity, Migrations, Feudalism, Democracy, Poverty, Disease, Suffering, Progressiveness, Economics, Politics, War, Marital Bondings and Familial Lives, etc. Based upon all of this, 5-stars to the first four chapters (the first 2/3 of the book) and 4-stars to the final two chapters (the final 1/3rd of the book).
If compared, although I am a hundred percent satisfied with "Hawaii", as far as enjoyment goes, and are the titles which I enjoyed quite more than this one. :)
"Hawaii" was Michener's first epic writing of extravagant length, and for a start at that time, I would say it deserves a Big Thumbs-Up !! :D
Six chapters, that have their own throughput.
From the Boundless Deep, is such a well-put story of the process of how the geological forces through their temporally long ages brought forth into being the beautiful islands that would be later called as 'Hawaii'. :)
From the Sun-Swept Lagoon, is the story of the people of the Polynesian Islands, their fights, their gods, their ideas, and how they (from the island of Bora Bora) eventually became the first to inhabit the Hawaiian islands.
From the Farm of Bitterness, speaks about the intrusive oncomings of the Christian missionaries in the early 1800s, and how they later play their part in transforming the Hawaiian's 'old' ideas into 'new'. The sea-voyage of the ten missionaries to Hawaii from Boston, around Cape Horn (the southern tip of South America) was a very interesting part indeed.
From the Starving Village, describes the continuing transformation of the Hawaiian society, but now with the influx of immigrating Chinese from their starving villages of their homeland, to work on the pineapple and sugar plantations. Contains quiet a few pages dedicated to the effect on the society after leprosy reached the islands, and its related happenings on the island leper colony of Molokai. This was scary, sad, and extremely touching. But so much worth reading and knowing, and understanding what people have gone through. That is the best part of a historical-fiction over typical history non-fiction.
From the Inland Sea, covers the Japanese immigrants on the Hawaii Islands, and how they are set to replace the Chinese Workers. Also contains the bombing of the Pearl Harbour, and how the Japanese on the islands fight for America in the Second World War in Europe.
The Golden Men, deals with how the commingling of various peoples in Hawaii in the past, have produced something called as 'The Golden Man', someone who now has a different way of thinking than his progenitors. Four such Golden Men have been described in this chapter, narrated from a POV of one of them. This chapter also covers the changes that are brought about in the culture, economics, and politics of the society of Hawaii, mainly brought about by intermarriages between groups.
Overall, I loved the book, but certain places became slightly boring. However this was due to monotony and my personal interest of matters laid within the scope of the book. Michener's writing style, is no doubt, smooth, rich, vivid, sweeping, and terrific! Covers several areas: Geological, Sea-Voyages, Shamanism, Christianity, Migrations, Feudalism, Democracy, Poverty, Disease, Suffering, Progressiveness, Economics, Politics, War, Marital Bondings and Familial Lives, etc. Based upon all of this, 5-stars to the first four chapters (the first 2/3 of the book) and 4-stars to the final two chapters (the final 1/3rd of the book).
If compared, although I am a hundred percent satisfied with "Hawaii", as far as enjoyment goes, and are the titles which I enjoyed quite more than this one. :)
"Hawaii" was Michener's first epic writing of extravagant length, and for a start at that time, I would say it deserves a Big Thumbs-Up !! :D
November 1, 2013
I had never read any Michener before but having just returned from a vacation to Kona I was interested in how the islands first got populated. Several articles I read referred to James Michener as a careful historian of Hawaii and since this book is considered one of his best, I borrowed it from the library. The book is beastly long-- 1000 pages-- but is actually a collection of four separate stories that stretch from the geological formation of Hawaii up through the attainment of statehood in 1959.
The first chapters describe the geological birth of the Hawaiian Islands from oceanic volcanoes and the subsequent introduction of flora and fauna over millennia via migratory frigate birds and ocean currents. His account is fascinating, well-written and consistent with bio geographic works such as David Quammen's Song of the Dodo.
Michener then fictionalizes the immigration of a band of outcasts from Bora Bora near Tahiti who travel the thousands of miles along the Trade Winds around 800 CE in order to escape political turmoil. The story hews to accepted anthropological dicta about aboriginal settlers to the islands and has earned Michener accolades from scholars.
The book jumps ahead to the 1800's and the introduction of Christian missionaries as well as whalers and other merchants plying the Pacific rim. The interaction of these groups with the island natives has been memorialized in movies based on this novel, which was in turn based on an actual missionary. The fictionalized history is well-done, showing the complex relationships of the indigenous people with the foreigners, the mutual respect and conflicts are believable and entertaining.
Michener is a top notch writer and this book is worth reading even 30 years after its original publication.
The first chapters describe the geological birth of the Hawaiian Islands from oceanic volcanoes and the subsequent introduction of flora and fauna over millennia via migratory frigate birds and ocean currents. His account is fascinating, well-written and consistent with bio geographic works such as David Quammen's Song of the Dodo.
Michener then fictionalizes the immigration of a band of outcasts from Bora Bora near Tahiti who travel the thousands of miles along the Trade Winds around 800 CE in order to escape political turmoil. The story hews to accepted anthropological dicta about aboriginal settlers to the islands and has earned Michener accolades from scholars.
The book jumps ahead to the 1800's and the introduction of Christian missionaries as well as whalers and other merchants plying the Pacific rim. The interaction of these groups with the island natives has been memorialized in movies based on this novel, which was in turn based on an actual missionary. The fictionalized history is well-done, showing the complex relationships of the indigenous people with the foreigners, the mutual respect and conflicts are believable and entertaining.
Michener is a top notch writer and this book is worth reading even 30 years after its original publication.
July 22, 2015
They should put a photo of this book in the dictionary beside the definition of epic because epic it is. Covering the history of hawaii and even the prehistory, Michener covers every aspect of what shaped the tropical islands from volcanoes to war to the myriad people who lived there. Michener humanizes his history by telling the stories of individuals and their families, their ambitions, and their reactions to the changing world. While it is a very long book, I would highly recommend it. Think of it as a series and dive in!
June 6, 2017
Glory hallelujah!! After nearly a month of reading this 1100+ page masterpiece, I have finished.
Very few books with such dense prose have captured my attention like this book. I marveled at how well written it was and often paused to determine who each character represented in history. Google got a real workout during the missionary chapters.
I knew nearly nothing about the state at the top of my travel bucket list. Now, I long to visit even more.
Several sections were stronger than others-- but all fell seamlessly together by the end. A true American masterpiece.
Very few books with such dense prose have captured my attention like this book. I marveled at how well written it was and often paused to determine who each character represented in history. Google got a real workout during the missionary chapters.
I knew nearly nothing about the state at the top of my travel bucket list. Now, I long to visit even more.
Several sections were stronger than others-- but all fell seamlessly together by the end. A true American masterpiece.
October 2, 2008
Reading this was a monumental task: I started it on the plane to Hawaii in mid August and finished it on October 1st!!I nearly didn't make it through the first chapter about the formation of the islands, but I'm glad I persevered. Michener takes us from Tahiti (Bora Bora) to the arrival of the missionaries, the Chinese, and the Japanese. There are a number of marvelous characters (Char Nyuk Tsin is my favorite) and set pieces. Michener is especially good at moments of high tension, which are amplified by his rather laconic, understated style. I was particularly moved by his descriptions of the four Sakagawa brothers at war. There are many scenes and relationships between characters that will remain with me: the throwing of the "god" into the sea by the Bora Borans, the voyage of the missionaries round the Cape, the death of Malama, Abner Hale's relationship with Jerusha, and Kee Mun Ki's with Char Nyuk Tsin; the leper colony at Molokai, "Wild Whip" Hoxworth and the growing of pineapples on Kauai, the picture brides from Japan and the "swap" between Kamejiro and Ishii... So much good stuff. His commentary on the coexistence/rivalry between the ethnic groups in Hawaii was also profound. I was a little disappointed in the ending, when the identity of the narrator was revealed... but all in all it was a great (though long) read and well worth the 6-plus weeks of my life
March 10, 2016
I've never read any of Michener's work and now, at the end of this 1130 page, ultra-fine print book, I feel as if I just run a marathon, but, my feet don't hurt. I've invested 3 weeks of my life with this book and I'm so glad I did. I enjoyed it and I'm so glad I read it after visiting Hawaii. What I kept thinking while reading it, though, was this man wrote dozens of books this long, with this much research. How in the heck did he do it? This book got right to the heart of many of the questions I had about the islands and the people that lived there. It explained so much about the history of the island and finally got me to understand why the people are so unique. When we were there, I didn't feel like I was part of the United States at all. I felt like I was in a foreign country with just a hint of America thrown in. This was a great read, but it's an endurance read, not a vacation book. I definitely have to read something relatively fluffy next.
On a side note, I bought about a dozen Michener books at the request of my mom at a library sale. You can't go wrong paying $3 for a huge shopping bag of books, but perhaps there was a reason that the Michener books were all still there!
On a side note, I bought about a dozen Michener books at the request of my mom at a library sale. You can't go wrong paying $3 for a huge shopping bag of books, but perhaps there was a reason that the Michener books were all still there!
April 19, 2020
The first time I read this book was in the early 80s and I remember being impressed (hence the original 4-star rating). I wonder if that will hold up today...
April 2020 review:
On second read I have decreased my rating to 3 stars (rounded down from 3.5). It's not that I didn't enjoy the book. The first half was as fascinating as I remembered. Michener has a way of illustrating events and history through development of interesting characters. But as the story progressed into part V, which continues with the struggles and conflicts between the different groups (immigrants, caucasians, and native Hawaiians) my interest started to flag. Part of the reason is because I have family that immigrated to Hawaii and lived there during that time, and I was brought up on stories that diverge widely from Michener's interpretation. In any case, I ended up less engaged in the remainder of the book and felt that the final section, especially, lost focus. I did not fully understand the "Golden Men" examples that from Michener's perspective were the unique contribution of Hawaii to the rest of the world.
April 2020 review:
On second read I have decreased my rating to 3 stars (rounded down from 3.5). It's not that I didn't enjoy the book. The first half was as fascinating as I remembered. Michener has a way of illustrating events and history through development of interesting characters. But as the story progressed into part V, which continues with the struggles and conflicts between the different groups (immigrants, caucasians, and native Hawaiians) my interest started to flag. Part of the reason is because I have family that immigrated to Hawaii and lived there during that time, and I was brought up on stories that diverge widely from Michener's interpretation. In any case, I ended up less engaged in the remainder of the book and felt that the final section, especially, lost focus. I did not fully understand the "Golden Men" examples that from Michener's perspective were the unique contribution of Hawaii to the rest of the world.
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