Customer Reviews

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

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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. [...]

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.

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!

This was the first ever "surfing genre" type book I've ever read. Not one to pick up a surf mag and peruse around its pages, I think that I might be inclined to do so after reading this book. The descriptions of the people, the culture, and the surf events and daring rescues of the life guards made for quick reading that made me feel as if I were in Makaha enjoying the wonderful personalities and beautiful places Coleman describes. In surfing it seems art and life are fused on the moving canvas of the ocean. This book reiterates what is important in this life. It will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. I totally urge anyone who has even the remotest curiosity about surfing, Hawaii, and what is important in life to pick it up.

What can i say about Coleman's follow up to the captivating Eddie Would Go but mahalo. With so much focus on North Shore surfing in the popular press the story of surfing on the west side (Makaha) and the flourishing of the true Hawaiian spirit is bedrock for anyone who loves the ocean.

Get the book, read it, think about it and then pass it on. ALOHA!

Coleman is a great writer and story teller. I knew Rell Sunn when we were both on the national board of the Surfrider Foundation. It was a colorful period of Hawai'ian history. I didn't think I would be interested in "Eddie Would Go!," but I bought it at the airport. It was a great book and it inspired me to read the next one.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read about surfing and the surfing culture. It is well worth the price!

This is a masterful book. From the story of Rell Sunn to Buffalo Kealuna to Eddie Aikau, this book delivers the true heart and soul of Hawaiian surfing. Highly recommended.

A lot of surf lit focuses on the North Shore, or the Malibu, or the Mavericks 'scene'. Fierce Heart shines a light on a far more interesting story - Oahu's 'Wild Westside' of Makaha, and the very special characters who live there. One thing of interest to me is Coleman's peculiar 'oral history' style - there IS a bit of repetition and certain anecdotes occasionally reappear as though they've been cut and pasted - but somehow this actually adds a greater aura of authenticity to the story telling. This is an excellent story for people who want to know the role of surfing in Hawaiian culture and to dig deeper than the tourist brochure cliches that often gloss over deeper social issues. I have to say, though, I'm not still not sure if I'd rent a car and go out and linger for very long. Best to just leave 'em alone; they don't need more haoles crowding their beaches.

[disclaimer: rated but not read yet]

I haven't read the book yet but am looking forward to getting my copy. Coleman is passionate about surfing, and I know him to be an empathic and other-centered writer. No doubt this will be a good read about a subject many of us care deeply about.