Special to the Star-Bulletin
Torch ginger lamp, above, made of blond koa, $200 to $300;
ties, below, range from $40 to $60; a large composition
hula dancer, $800 to $1,200

Got some vintage Hawaiian shirts and curious about their value? How about an 80-year-old Mid-Pacific Carnival Poster in near perfect condition; a ukulele, a hula girl lamp, or half-century old menus from the Royal Hawaiian or Moana?

The 255-page book features 600 color photos of memorabilia that have been divided into eight categories: paper, textiles, hula dolls and figurines, music, lamps and accessories, jewelry, souvenirs, and ceramic and glass.

"I love Hawaii and wanted to capture the essence of old Hawaii during territorial days, those great years from 1898-1959," Blackburn says. "You get that real aloha feeling when you look at these objects."

The book took Blackburn a year to complete and there are about 25,000 for the first printing.

Appraised prices are a cross section from what you would pay in an auction or gallery, Blackburn said.

The most expensive item is a Hawaiian flag quilt, circa 1890s valued at $8,000-$12,000. There are aloha shirts valued as high as $600. Blackburn's personal favorite are the 80-year-plus Mid-Pacific Carnival posters valued for as much as $8,000-$12,000.

Amazingly, vintage photos of Hawaiian legend Duke Kahanamoku sell for under $30.

Oh, and those menus from the Royal or Moana? They range from $50 to $100; ukuleles as much as $1,500; and the hula girl lamps up to $900.

"Hawaiiana: The Best of Hawaiian Design" is available at Borders and Barnes & Noble book stores and Blackburn's Mauna Kea Gallery in Hilo by calling 1-808-969-1184.