Customer Reviews

Little Known Tales in Hawaii History

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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."

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.

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.