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Wai-nani: High Chiefess of Hawai'i - Her Epic Journey

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Author of: "Paws of Wisdom" Valuable Lessons we can learn from our Pets

Wai-nani tells the story between the first High Chiefess of Hawaii,and the fierce, great warrior and magnificient ruler , Makaha, who unified the Hawaiian islands in the late 18th Century. Wai-nani emerges as a young, beautiful, strong, powerful and "Free-Spirited" modern woman in an ancient society. She is a woman before her time, who rose to a position (Kuhina-Nui) no other had risen before her, and one who helped bring about changes that elevated the status of women. She loves the sea and her dolphin friends, where she finds peace, solitude and comfort from the harsh traditions imposed on her and her people. She defies the 'kapus' (taboos) of the time and wishes and vows one day to see the savage ways of the long ago lifted, where men and women can sit together and share their joys and troubles without the fear of the death dealing Kahunas.

Linda Ballou has done extensive research on the history of the characters and Hawaii, and gives the reader blow by blow details in a flowery, poetic and interesting language. She manages to intertwine a love story with historical fact and has done a superb job. She narrates the story through Wai-nani's eyes and experiences, and she makes it all come alive for the reader. I found myself transported into an ancient world where human sacrifices were common and where people were put to death for disobeying the laws.I felt as if I was present in the lives of the common people, the warriors and the royal families of the time, as well as in the midst of the lush valleys and beautiful sand beaches and mountains of the Islands.

Although this is a story of the past, Linda manages to bring out the human emotions, feelings and struggles of the present in all of us, which transcend times and cultures. I found the book educational and very entertaining. Make sure you look up the glossary at the end of the book before you get started, it will make it easier to follow the unfamiliar words, names and places of the Hawaiian culture.

What a compelling story. Wai-nani's journey through the portion of Hawaiian history this book covers is truly an 'epic' tale in every sense of the word. So descriptively rich and sensually involving were the author's words that I found myself proceeding slowly through the pages, so as to savor, and the better to put myself in the skin of Wai-nani and her gripping transformations. So much of the description of Wai-nani's emotional evolution rang true as the way a woman's heart feels and expresses. Much of the power of this story I attribute to this last observation.

Wai-nani's relationship with her dolphin friends was the cherry on the top for me inasmuch as dolphins are pretty much the center pole of my life. The author added fantastical elements to the human/dolphin relationships but, knowing dolphins as I have come to, what is portrayed in the story about the interactions hints at some very real possibilities as we go back and re-capture what cultures like old Hawaii still have to offer us.

Dolphins aside, anyone who appreciates the Aloha Spirit and all things Hawaiian cannot help but appreciate the opportunity to viciariously experience a version of Hawaiian history written by one who clearly knows her subject matter. The mana flows through the pages. For those of you who read and loved The Clan of Cave Bear as I did, Wai-Nani very much feels like the Hawaiian counterpart to that wonderfully told story, just so you know.

Muriel Lindsay - author of The Chronicles of the Savannah River Dolphins

What a wonderful book. Wainani to me is another word for empowerment. A woman's journey into the secret rituals of womanhood and historical Hawaiian traditions. Wainani, a true historical figure, is the ultimate self-actualized woman. We get to peek at her private fantasies, her sexual encounters and her love for sea creatures like Eku, her dolphin friend. This book is filled with magical experiences, warriors, ancient Hawaiian traditions and its majestic beauty. Once you read this book you will never forget Wai-nani. She stays with you forever. I highly recommend this book.

Anna Maria Prezio, Ph.D.

Best Selling Author of Confessions of a Feng Shui Ghost-Buster

*****

This is a beautiful story, a fictionalized account of the life of a Hawaiian woman, Wai-nani, based upon the life of Hawaiian chiefess Kaahumanu. Reading this lovely novel is an appealing way of learning about early Hawaiian life.

The story is filled with vivid imagery and rife with details that make this time period come to life. I especially enjoyed the way the voice of the book reflects Hawaiian thinking and values.

Readers who would enjoy this novel the most are those very interested in early Hawaiian life and/or the lives of indigenous peoples.

Highly recommended.

*****

Wai-Nani, High Chiefess of Hawai'i: Her Epic Journey By Linda Ballou This, the author's first book, is a masterpiece and a fascinating read. The historic novel tells the dramatic and heart warming love story of Wai-Nani. By weaving the ancient legends of Old Hawaii into this compelling story, Ballou captivates the reader with her beautiful descriptions and very real characters, who come alive in your imagination. The first few pages were a bit hard to read because the author has interjected real Hawaiian words into sentences in which the meaning is evident, but once I got the rhythm I could hardly put the book down. It is an excellent read, especially if you have been or plan to go to Hawaii.

I love books that tell a great story but I want to learn something at the same time. I knew that since Linda Ballou was a travel writer that I would learn about Hawaii but what I didn't realize is that she is a beautiful writer. This story takes place at the time in history where the Hawaiians are introduced to the Europeans as seen from the Hawaiian viewpoint. It is a story about a strong woman living in a warlike country. Just get that picture of peaceful Hawaiians out of your head. She weaves a tale that keeps you intrigued all the way to the end. This is a great read about a fierce heroine.

As far historical fiction this was an interesting fast going book that kept me turning the pages. I found it fascinating, taught me much about the language and the ways of the Hawaiians.

Even though I may not believe in polygamy, I still enjoyed the relationship between the two wives of Makala. The love that grew between them proved well for all concerned. I enjoyed Makala's dive in contest.

Many parts of the book left me wondering where it will get to which kept me reading. Ballou writes with simple clarity making it easy to take in the story and not concentrate on the words. It was a good read for sure.

I have read quite a few historical fiction novels that take place in Hawaii, but none quite like this. It's not about leprosy or American colonization or even sugar cane plantations, but the natives of Hawaii and their lives, customs, superstitions, and rules before the white man's arrival. It follows a young woman, Wai-nani, the daughter and wife of chiefs. She is a woman of the sea and swims with dolphins and even "converses" with them. Let me be clear about that. She doesn't converse with them like a child would her favorite dog, but has the ability to make the dolphin sounds and clicks to convey her point.

Wai-nani leaves home after breaking a tabu. She literally swims into the arms of Makahu, who becomes her husband. She must now be accepted by his people, tolerate another wife, deal with barreness, and watch her husband deal with the inner turmoil and struggles that often afflict a fighting warrior. The arrival of Captain Cook does not improve matters on the island either. All thru these tribulations, Wai-nani has her own inner turmoils being a strong minded woman in a time when women were not even allowed to eat with the men.

Whenever Wai-nani's life story comes to a "lull" or she is is not swimming with her dolphin family to attain her inner peace, the author manages to interweave stories of the Hawaiian gods and godesses into the primary tale. From Lono's missing wife to waterfalls in love, these "myths" add a nice touch.

In the author's preface, she asks readers to be the judge. Was Ka'ahumanu (Wai-nani) a forerunner to the modern woman and a daring liberator, or was she a traitor to her times? Having completed this, I have come to my own conclusion. You must come to yours.

I look forward to reading a book that both teaches me and also takes me on a vacation. Linda Ballou's thoroughly researched, Wai-Nani: High Chiefess of Hawaii did both. I felt like I had just stepped off a boat onto the shores of Hawaii in the mid-eighteenth century.

The book chronicles the history of a woman who fearlessly challenged the confines of women's roles in Hawaiian culture at that time. Wai-Nani, wife of warrior husband Makaha, fights a personal battle to rise to a position of leadership, to become the "Mother to the island people."

Author Linda Ballou's thoroughly researched novel shines in its detail about pre-Captain Cook Hawaiian culture. She effortlessly weaves into her narrative details of the customs, gods, war campaigns, hunting, celebrations, spirits, taboos and flora and fauna of early Hawaii. The lavish colors of Hawaii literally jump off each page as she takes the reader on an inside tour of the famous islands. Reading about Wai-Nani's special relationship with the dolphins below the water is an additional treat.

Kudos to Linda Ballou for delivering vivid imagery, historical detail, emotional impact, tragedy and triumph with such sensual beauty. I have never seen Hawaii. Wai-nani makes me want to visit.

To be completely honest, sometimes all of the dense detail and descriptive information seemed to impede the narrative flow of the story for me, but those who desire to experience the mind-set and culture of the Hawaiians of old will find much to enjoy and profit from in these pages. It's not a bad story, and those conversant with Hawaii's history will even recognize some of the characters. "You are THERE!"

This book gives it to you right on the cover: it is an epic. Linda Ballou obviously fell under the spell of Hawaii in a way that had a major impact on her life. Of course, it is always a minefield for a mainland writer to appropriate the already plundered culture of the Hawaiian people - and there will be some who will nit-pick until they find some detail of which to disapprove. But as Ms. Ballou herself humbly demonstrates in her Author's Note, she is well aware of these potential pitfalls, and has made a very honorable effort to thoroughly research her book's milieu. She has also taken the trouble to seek out scholars of Hawaiian blood (in the traditional way) in order to learn from them and their words directly. This is a book that appreciates the islands' host culture and treats it with care. The result is a likeable read that does not offend or provoke laughter from this Hawaii resident and author.

If have already read Michner's Hawaii, and are still longing to get lost in a tropic setting, there to dream of waterfalls, beautiful people, and azure surf, as the winter winds howl outside your window; well you could do a lot worse than to spend some time with Wai-nani. Aloha to You!

Cloudia Charters, author of:

ALOHA Where You Like Go?: From Survival to Satisfaction by Honolulu Taxi