Exploring Historic Lahaina (Small Town Series Maui) [Paperback]

Summer Kupau (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001 | Series: Small Town Series Maui

The old seaport of Lahaina has always been a town in transition — from royal retreat to rough-and-tumble whaling port, from plantation village to American small town. Now, relive Lahaina's rich history with this site-by-site guide, another volume in Watermark's unique Small Town Series. Here are fascinating photos of grog shops, churches, mom-and-pop stores and missionary homes, many of them from private collections and each one keyed to a handy foldout walking map. It's a tour of Lahaina's past through rare archival photographs — many of them never before published — and evocative first-person anecdotes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

These slim volumes in the "Small Town Series Maui" aren't so much written as assembled by the respective authors, but that doesn't mean they aren't useful works. They are particularly for those visiting these locations for the first times, or for regulars wanting to know more about local history.

Each book is essentially an annotated photo album, and the casual nature of many of the images adds to that impression. Many are family snapshots.

The captions, however, place the images in historic and cultural contexts. Even more useful, the back cover of each volume is a fold-out (and vastly simplified) "walking map," so that the book is a kind of field guide.

There are many, many "then" photos, and no "now," so it's up to you to compare and contrast, confirming this is a book to be used on-site. The authors also chose colorful bits of oral history, and the volumes are well-printed and designed. If you're going to these locations, the books are recommended. And, oh, by the way, "historic" takes us into the 1970s. --Burl Burlingame, "Honolulu Star-Bulletin" (copyright 2002)

About the Author

A native Hawaiian, writer and educator Summer Kupau was born and raised in Lahaina, where she still resides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Watermark Publishing; 1 edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970578725
• ISBN-13: 978-0970578723
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Travel > United States

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Summer No Ka Oi, July 4, 2001

By 

Noa "Ichido" Hokama (Lihue, HI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Historic Lahaina (Small Town Series Maui) (Paperback)

An intriguing look at the beauty that was Hawaii's first capitol, Lahaina. Personally, this book evoked memories buried deep in my heart. The collection of photos and the author's eloquent writing combine to create a book of high caliber. It is evident that Ms. Kupau is quite knowledgeable of Lahaina's history. This volume of the "small town series" allowed me to relive the vivid images of Lahaina that was my youth. Sigh. I remember my old friend Edith Miyahira and her two daughters Jean & Jane who operated the jewel of the Front Street restaurants at the time, Seaside. The home made saimin, fried rice, shrimp curry, hamburger steak and potato salad were among my favorites. Just thinking about the food makes my mouth water. Emeril could learn a thing or two from Edith. BAM! In conclusion, I am anxiously waiting Summer Kupau's next book. She is an excellent author. Keep it real, keep it old school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lahaina History and Memories, August 1, 2007

By 

O. Brown "Ms. O. Khannah-Brown" (Twopeas, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Historic Lahaina (Small Town Series Maui) (Paperback)

*****
This small book (122 pages) is filled with beautiful vintage photos of Lahaina, including merchants, plantation photos, government buildings, school photos, churches, the waterfront, and more. The vintage photos are beautiful black-and-white pictures, many from archives and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

There is even a picture of Moku'ula included, the sacred home of the ali'i on Maui---wild and overgrown, but still evoking a mystique and beauty that is unique.

Each photo has a paragraph of explanation included. Reading this book is a pleasant way to go on a "walking tour" of Lahaina before actually visiting and going on a real walking tour. Or reliving memories of visiting or living in Lahaina.

Highly recommended.
*****

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide to the history of Lahaina, January 29, 2008

By 

N. Sharp "Audioholic" (Texas, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Exploring Historic Lahaina (Small Town Series Maui) (Paperback)

I bought this for my wife, who is enamored with Lahaina. The book does a great job of detailing the history of this quaint whaling port and once capital of the Hawaiian Islands.