Customer Reviews

Obake: Ghost Stories in Hawaii

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If you're not sure whether the various H-3 disasters were accidents or the work of something else, this book is great. It talks about many different kinds of ghosts, Japanese, Hawaiian, Chinese, and other, and gives examples of when and where things have been attributed to them, like various stories of lava flows that have skipped destroying heiaus, sacred places, houses of people who were very devout, stuff like that. It's really interesting, especially in a place like Hawaii where many people believe in the old Hawaiian ghosts. It's surprising to people not from the islands, but true that the general public in Hawaii has a great deal of respect for Hawaiian spirits. Many businesses or organizations have all new facilities blessed by Hawaiian priests, and when misfortune strikes calling on the Hawaiian religious community is a not uncommon way of solving the problem. Scarily enough, often blessings really do end bad luck...

As the author indicates in his book, the ghost stories of the Hawaiian Islands are very unique, being a mixture of folklore and superstitions from Asia, America, the rest of Oceania, and of course those of the indigenous Hawaiians.

There are two types of stories contained in the book, those that are supposedly true, and those involving Hawaiian supernatural beings, but are basically works of fiction. I found the former type of story, masterfully retold by Mr. Grant, to be the most interesting, as I think we are all more scared by hearing of supernatural occurrences that have an air of credibility to them.

If you enjoyed this book, you will certainly enjoy Ghosts of Okinawa by Jayne A. Hitchcock.

Most cultures have a tradition of supernatural tales, and with its collision of Western, Polynensian, and Eastern cultures the tradition of supernatural tales is perhaps richer in Hawaii than in any other part of the earth. Over the years, Glen Grant has made a specialty of collecting supernatural island stories--and in OBAKE: GHOST STORIES IN HAWAII he presents an interesting array.

According to some traditions, including Polynesian traditions, it is unlucky to talk about supernatural encounters: the spirits may not like to be discussed--or, possibly worse, may not like the way in which they are described. Grant does not, therefore, recount tales of the supernatural plain and simple; he instead distills and fictionalizes them. The result is an entertaining, sometimes informative, and pleasantly written collection that honors island tradition.

The stories cover a great deal of ground, but most of those collected under this title emphasize the Japanese tradition as it exists in Hawaii. Opening with a tale of a faceless spirit, the collection goes on to numerous other stories of hauntings, possessions, and unquiet spirits--most of the stories set in Hawaii but a few traveling back to Japan as well--and all of them told in Grant's pleasant prose. Given to me as a gift by a friend of Japanese ancestry who was born and raised in Hawaii, I have quite enjoyed this book, and I recommend it.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The author can write a good story, and uses his material well. Maybe too much personal aside in the book, but well worth the price for the for the book. Theresa may

Since living in Hawaii, I have encountered many tales (such as these ) in this book. They are sometimes thought of as folklore, but many have claimed these stories are true. Determine for yourself if it is true.....or not.......hee hee hee!