audiobook Hawaiki Rising: Hokule'a; Nainoa Thompson; and the Hawaiian Renaissance by Sam Low PhD in History

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. I am forever thankful for all the flowers in the lei spanning our amazing Earth. I am thankful for The opportunity to ...By cynthia massaAloha~I first learned about the Book Hawaiki Rising in May; 2014; when I was at Palekai Bay; Hilo; On the Day of Departure of Mama Hokulea and Hikianalia; as they began The Malama Honua World Wide Voyage. I was at the shore; in the crowd; celebrating; waiting to Meet Nainoa and all the PWO and Crew; give Lei and say Aloha. I noticed this lady walking around getting peoples autographs in the "BOOK". I did meet and give lei on the day of departure to Nainoa; Kalepa; Bruce; but No Chad (Onohi) or Shorty...both of whom I'd meet later. The Day was epic and the departure celebration and "Make happy" time of the Sailing Sister Wa'a was a memory I shall never forget. I got on ; found the book; ordered it and thus began MY journey into Hawaiki Rising...and My "Voyage" of "Malama"...of caring for ALL things LIVING. Since the day I opened the autographed copy and began reading; My world has forever changed. I have since come back to community after a decade of being hidden away working and healing my health~My Own Malama Honua Voyage had begun almost 2 years prior. I am forever thankful for all the flowers in the lei spanning our amazing Earth. I am thankful for The opportunity to be a part of Malama Honua and to Be a member of Our Ohana Wa'a. Meeting Sam Low; Meeting the PWO; the Crew; reading about Hokulea and her Voyage of Rediscovery and the Hawaiian Renaissance; I have come to learn the true value of Malama Honua...the validity of caring for each other and for Our Earth. I am still meeting the heroes written about in Hawaiki Rising. I had the opportunity to attend Imi Naauao Crew Training and work on Kauais Wa'a Namahoe with Uncle John Kruse and Uncle Marshall Mock; to meet and share time and aloha with the Voyagers; Malama the Wa'a; the PWO; The Crew; and Myself and Our Ohana Honua...I am committed to learning all I can about Ohana Wa'a...about LOVING Our Ohana Honua and BEING Courageous; Correct; PONO in All I am; All I do; ALL I give to YOU; My Wonderful Ohana. This book was a treasure trove of information for the person who simply wishes to know the Mo'olelo; but also a wonderful book of instruction into the world of Celestial Navigation and the renewal of the Ancient Ways; taught from his ancestors to Hawaii by Papa Mau; who gave Hawaiians the living lessons they needed to rediscover their voyaging roots and rich history...I will read and reread this book over my lifetime; each chapter; giving me clues to how to live; how to find magic in every days "voyage" whether on land or sea...Mahalo Nui to You Sam; and to All The Voyagers~ those who are here; those of the past; those gone; never to be forgotten. I look forward to any and all future writing from YOU Sam...and treasure the Ohana Your amazing Book Hawaiki Rising has brought to Myself and to US ALL. Malama Pono.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A truly outstanding book for all who are interested in Polynesian prehistoryBy TemouiThis is an extremely well written and objective book chronicling the long and devoted efforts of the members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society(PVS) of Hawai'i to construct and sail the traditional Hokule'a canoe using traditional methods. The book is a monument to all members of the society; but especially to the Micronesian; Mau Piailug; who patiently taught the sacred navigation techniques of his culture to the PVS personnel ; and to Nainoa Thompson who studied under Mau and who invested enormous energy translating these techniques into modern astronomical terms. It's also a monument to Eddie Aikau; who lost his life bravely trying to save his shipmates after a near disaster on the high seas.The book is based on first hand accounts; excerpts from logs and diaries of participants; and on the author's own personal experiences aboard. These sources are skillfully combined by the author in such a way that the reader feels he is actually present. Low does not shy away from the many interpersonal problems that developed in the course of this project; but he provides very balanced descriptions of all relations aboard; The book dispels; once and for all ; the "theory" that the islands of Polynesia were discovered by accident: the discoveries and settlements were largely the results of systematic explorations. This book is a masterpiece: one hopes that Sam Low will continue to write further on the subject; recounting his own personal experiences! It is most highly recommended for all students of Pacific prehistory as well as for Hawaiian cultural course from the high school level and above.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. One of the most important Hawai'i-connected books ever writtenBy Mindi ReidHawaiki Rising is an extremely important book; as it documents and evokes both specific events/experiences and the greater cultural awakening and reclamation they represent. It does so with all the excitement and emotional impact of a heroic adventure story; yet without trivializing in the least the challenges facing indigenous cultures in rebirth. Skillfully and accessibly written; It is both personal and universal in its scope; tragedy and triumph alternate along the complex and demanding physical and spiritual ocean journey the reader is invited to share.Hawaiki Rising should be a revelation to those whose idea of Hawai'i; Hawaiians and/or other Pacific Islanders is limited to the stereotypes of tourism and Hollywood. It accomplishes the difficult task of allowing us to accompany people of different backgrounds on their personal journeys to a unique shared goal - that of bringing back to life an ancient and astounding seafaring culture and its unique navigational wisdom/knowledge; and by so doing creating a strong and hopeful model for the rebirth of rich human traditions and identities. Anyone who really wants to learn about Hawai'i and Hawaiians; anyone who wants to experience what it is like to be out on the Pacific relying solely on retrieved ancient knowledge (and a handful of fellow voyagers) to cross unthinkable distances; anyone who wants to be moved; inspired and kept on the edge of their seat living a great adventure - this is the book. With grace and skill; one of the truly great human adventures has been preserved forever...to be enjoyed by the widest audience imaginable. There is a gift for every reader in this book. I can hardly wait to read it again.