Little Known Tales in Hawaii History [Paperback]

Alton Pryor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

Hawaii was not always a paradise. Hawaii's history was turbulent and soul wrenching. Taboos placed on commoners by Royalty were harsh and cruel. But Hawaii also has its wonderful historic lore, such as the Menehunes, or Hawaii's "little people". Readers will also learn the true history of the ukulele and its origin may be a surprise.

We promise you a nice trip if you'll join us in our view of old Hawaii.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alton Pryor has been a writer for magazines, newspapers and a wire service. He worked for United Press International, The Salinas Californian daily newspaper and for California Farmer magazine He is now the author of eleven books on California and western history. He is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in journalism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Stagecoach Publishing (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974755117
• ISBN-13: 978-0974755113
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,222,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Information in this book is just wrong, June 25, 2006

By 

kevyak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Known Tales in Hawaii History (Paperback)

The key word in the title is "Tales", because the information that Alton Pryor writes is not all "fact" and it is not all correct. It is wrong when Pryor states that Hawaiian women were not allowed in the Hawaiian heiau (temples). In old Hawaii, the Hawaiian women had their own heiaus (temples), and the Hawaiian men had their own heiaus (temples) ; and Hawaiian men and women worshipped different gods in their separate temples. Also, women were indeed allowed in the men's temples (for example, for kahiko hula performances). Also, Hawaiian temples (heiaus) were not the only places of worship for the Hawaiian people. For example, the volcanoes were places of worship (temples), for _both_ men and women, similar to our modern day churches. I think the real problem here is that Pryor (who owns Stagecoach Publishing and is self-published) is not from Hawaii and is not of Hawaiian blood. Therefore, the "tales" he relays are not fact, and is probably just stuff he has read somewhere. Better to buy a book written by a native or someone with a solid background in the subject area. Also, I see that Pryor has written many "Little Known Tales" books about different areas of his interest, none of which Pryor is likely to be an aficionado of since he is just a journalist from California, and not a real historian. Seems sort of irresponsible to write about history incorrectly ... but like I said. The title doesn't say "Little Known Facts." It says "Little Known Tales."

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exposes a dark side of Hawaiian history, June 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Known Tales in Hawaii History (Paperback)

Little Known Tales In Hawaii History is a fascinating journey into the culture of Hawaii islands, from before Captain Cook's arrival upon its shores. It examines Hawaiian culture and how influence from missionaries and colonial powers forever changed it, but it does not do so dispassionately or evenhandedly. The simply written text, which at times refers to native Hawaiian religious and cultural practices as "idol worship", clearly presents a stark view in favor of the changes brought by missionary work, with little attempt to truly understand the gestalt that shaped Hawaiian culture. Yet at the same time, facts about eye-opening practices such as restrictions on what women and low-ranking men could eat, infanticide as a means of birth control, and sometimes even human sacrifice speak for themselves. An involving account that exposes a dark side of Hawaiian history.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and informative, but somewhat dry., October 13, 2011

By 

Brian K. Miller "Greyhawk" (Wooster, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Known Tales in Hawaii History (Kindle Edition)

This is an interesting and informative exploration of some of the lesser known stories of Hawaii. Ranging from Menehunes to Ukuleles, this book contains brief descriptions of the tales rather than the tales themselves. Even the chapter on the history of the ukulele, although factual, does not bring to light the quirky, eccentric personalities of the Portugese luthiers who worked together to transform a traditional standard-tuned five-string folk instrument into the four-string, re-entrant tuned ukulele.

A pretty fair value for the price, but lacking any real entertainment value.