One of the books recommended to us by Manoa Library Branch Manager Christel Collins, as part of our Library Tour Challenge, is the latest historic composition of Gavan Daws. Wayfinding Through the Storm (Watermark, 2009) is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. With the subtitle “Speaking Truth to Power at Kamehameha Schools 1993-1999”, Wayfinding Through the Storm is a compilation of 150 individual accounts of the controversy surrounding Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate (KSBE) Trustees during the greater part of the 90’s. It was a dark time, when Pauahi’s benevolent legacy was thrust into the national limelight. The voices and perspectives of the people who lived through those tense years, seamlessly and meticulously organized by Daws, convey the events that made up the saddest decade in the history of Kamehameha Schools.
It’s an extraordinary piece of non-fiction because the basic story of what went down is being told by 150 people, records and court transcripts, as if it were one narrative. It takes a little while to get used to the idea that you’re reading separate pieces of dialogue one after the other; they somehow all make sense, and you can follow what everyone is saying as if the story were being told to you by one person. It’s unlike any work of history I’ve read before and I think it’s genius! Imagine asking 150 people to tell you the same story… then taking what everyone says, mashing it together and telling the story again. What a way to learn history!
The book itself is broken up into chapters, each one detailing how the expansion of education, language and cultural exchange were suffocated by the imbalance and abuse of power between KSBE Trustees. Although I am not an alumnus of Kamehameha, I was still interested in reading about what happened through the words of the people who experienced it. Reading about the progressive ideas of the Kamehameha faculty and staff, and the hard work they put into bringing these ideas into fruition for the benefit of Hawaiians, our children, our kupuna and our future (extended education programs, a Hawaiian cultural center, expanded language programs)–only to have those opportunities squandered and those ideas squashed by self-interested oppressors, was truly saddening. It’s like watching the movie “Glory”… that feeling you get when you see people being treated unfairly. I had to constantly keep from shouting “but that’s not fair! (and yes, the word “meanie” was mentioned several times on my behalf in regard to Lokelani Lindsey). Yet, the book is still hopeful of the future because it was an important lesson learned. Beadie Dawson’s quote on the back of the book summarizes it perfectly, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
This book is an inspiration. First obviously, in that we should always question totalitarian ideals, second, that people can unite and be heard, and third, that history can be learned and told in interesting ways. Wayfinding should be read by everyone, not just people with an interest in KSBE or Hawaiian history. It may seem like a niche subject but the theme is universal and I have to take this moment to congratulate the publishers at Watermark. They continuously produce well-made, provocative books. Not just those that are guaranteed to sell, with proven markets based on current trends or because tourists will buy them… but because they’re important stories that deserve to be told.
Ms. Mitchell was very excited to share with us her Hawaiiana book recommendation and picked How Maui Slowed the Sun by Suelyn Ching Tune. It’s a picturebook based on the legend of how Maui slowed the sun to help his mother dry tapa. Ms. Mitchell said it’s a great book for kids and lots of fun to read with interesting pictures of Maui roping the sun. But because Ms. Mitchell doesn’t do anything by half, she also handed me the original version of the legend in Tales of the Menehune compiled by Mary Kawena Pukui… she says, it’s so I can read them both and compare them in my review. You can’t really argue with that logic so I left Liliha library with a smile and some serious homework to do ala Ms. Mitchell. And then Alex and I went to Liliha Bakery for some “breakfast for dinner”. It was awesome.
On the upper level lanai, just outside the main entrance, there is a lovely painted tile mural entitled “The Ko’olau Mountains” which was a gift by the Friends of the Library of Hawaii and Windward Community College. The mural was designed by Paul L. Nash and was completed by a host of student artists in 1985. Once inside you are treated to a very large lobby area with bulletin boards featuring community events, children’s services, government news and other relevant neighborhood info. But most interestingly we saw a special “Library Card Application” table, a designated space with pens and applications and all manner of brochures providing information on how to sign up and the benefits of participating in the library system. There’s no doubt the staff at Kaneohe library are excited about getting people signed up and involved!
One of the most noticeable aspects inside the library is the furniture. It’s very unique. The one that sticks out the most is the custom designed catalog station, which houses the computer terminals to access the online library catalog. Some of the library’s shelving and the reference desk is also customized to match. With sleek lines and a fairly modern design it adds a lot of interest and functionality to the space. Branch Manager, Thomas Churma, told us that the acquisition of the furniture had a lot to do with the “bang up business” done by the Friends of Library Kaneohe. Not too long ago they added twelve more reading carols in the back of the library, providing patrons with a nice quiet area with extra privacy. So naturally, Thomas made sure to shill the book store downstairs by mentioning that they have “the best prices on the island!” And after seeing the immense collection of books they have for sale for such discounted prices, I would recommend anyone interested in books to check it out if you’re in the Windward area.
Christel suggested we read Wayfinding Through the Storm (
Lisa recommended Kai the ‘Opihi Gets the Point (
Seeing as it is October, which is often associated with Halloween and spooky stories, Patti thought it would be appropriate to recommend one of her favorite books: Glen Grant’s Obake Files. One of the big reasons she chose this book is because she used to take classes from Glen at the University of Hawaii. Patti says he was a fabulous teacher who would discuss spooky tales and go on the famous ghost tours downtown. She says the book “brings back a lot of memories” and Obake Tales is “great for this time of year.”
