Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing [Paperback]

Stuart Holmes Coleman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 2010

Although Makaha is a small, isolated town on the Western coast of O‘ahu, it has produced some of the most intriguing Hawaiians of the twentieth century: world-class surfers Buffalo Keaulana and his sons Rusty and Brian; beautiful skin diver and surfing pro Rell Sunn; and larger-than-life singer and songwriter Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole. What connects them is a love for their culture, their people, and water sports. Fierce Heart combines stories of exciting surfing competitions, dramatic water rescues, and deep friendships with a look at the history and origins of one of the world’s most thrilling extreme sports.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Freelance writer Coleman (Eddie Would Go) examines the history of surfing in Hawaii through the lens of Makaha, an isolated town on the west coast of Oahu. Makaha is the heart and soul of the title, but those words also apply to the men and women whose stories give life to the town. Chief among them is Richard Buffalo Keaulana, an accomplished waterman of full-blood Hawaiian descent. Born in 1934, Keaulana grew up during the evolution of surfing from an obscure ritual in a far-flung corner of the American empire to an international phenomenon. For Coleman, Keaulana embodies the culture that produced the first longboard and the elusive concept of aloha. Coleman also tells the story of the women's surfing pioneer, Rell Sunn; the Rabelaisian Hawaiian singer and songwriter Israel Kamakawiwo'ole; and the first voyage of the Hokule'a, a replica of traditional Polynesian voyaging canoes. Coleman tends to romanticize his subjects (Looking into the deep brown eyes of Brian Keaulana is like seeing the soul of Makaha) and the narrative doesn't always come together, yet his unquestioning embrace of all things Hawaiian is infectious, and his subtle charm will please all true believers in the soul of surfing. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Dude! Hang ten! Don’t wipe out! Such phrases, both quaint and common, have their genesis on the sylvan shores of the Hawaiian islands, home to the ancient and modern sport of surfing. And nowhere has the taming of the waves been more revered or refined than in the tiny, isolated village of Makaha on Oahu’s wild western coast. Led by the aptly named Buffalo Keaulana, a ragtag group of rebels and outlaws, loners and drifters, natives and haoles found solace and sought glory there through the study and mastery of towering walls of water. Inspiring and inspired by the gentle songs of Makaha’s giant Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo’ole, this renegade village came to embody the peace and power of the ocean. Coleman richly pays homage to the legendary pioneers who elevated surfing from an island pastime to an international competition and shares stories of the great generosity, unwavering courage, and audacious vitality of the surfers who epitomize the deep cultural resonance of the Hawaiian spirit. --Carol Haggas --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1 edition (June 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312638310
• ISBN-13: 978-0312638313
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Surfing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book and an excellent summer read..., July 6, 2009

By 

The Waterman's Library "The Waterman's Library" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing (Hardcover)

Like Matt Warshaw and Drew Kampion, Stuart Coleman (the author of Eddie Would Go) is fast becoming one of today's best chroniclers of surfing history, heritage and culture. In his latest book Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing, Holmes puts his extensive research talents to work in order to pay homage to Makaha on O'ahu's wild West Side. In order to capture the essence of Makaha, Coleman relies upon the rich histories of three Makaha legends: the Keaulana family, Rell Sun and Bruddah Iz. While all three subjects symbolize both the shared and unique parts of the Makaha spirit, it's the Keaulana clan, and patriarch Buffalo in particular, that serves as the story's soul. Throughout Coleman's descriptions of Rell and Iz's triumphs and tragic ends, Buffalo and the rest of the Keaulanas are there, providing warmth, guidance, support and, of course, food. Coleman's attention to detail delivers extensive quotes and anecdotes from legendary watermen like Greg Noll, Melvin Pu'u, Ricky Grigg and Peter Cole. While parts of the stories and descriptions appear overly romanticized, Fierce Heart generally provides a deep and honest look at Hawaii, Hawaiians and surfing. This book is a great summer beach read. [...]

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great history compiled from the westside, June 17, 2009

By 

Robert Barreca (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing (Hardcover)

I wanted to read this book because of Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero and Pioneer of Big Wave Surfing and thought it was a super interesting history of the wild westside. I didn't grow up on the westside, but know people who have grown up surfing over there and have some intense stories.

I think this is a good book for any surfer to read to learn a little history of the place, especially if you surf over there nowadays as things are way mellower. But hey, I guess if you grew up surfing Makaha and living the westside, there might not be much in this book for you, but for the rest of us I think it's a good buy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mahalo Stu!, June 20, 2009

By 

P. D. Deering "PDD" (Honolulu, HI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing (Hardcover)

Just finished reading Fierce Heart. I ripped through it -- a fascinating, very detailed history of some of HI's finest. A huge accomplishment and a huge contribution to the people of da islands. A very sensitive, even-handed look at people and subjects near and dear to all residents and friends of Hawaii Nei. I can well imagine kids growing up on Da Coast reading this book and looking at their neighbors and heroes with newfound respect and aloha.
Bravo and Mahalo!