ISLE PAGES
New releases by Hawaii authors

"Voodoo Tower -- A Hawaii Businessman's Worst Nightmare" by Casey Stangl (Latitude 21 Press, $12.95)

Huh ... I would have thought a shipping strike would be the worst. But no, Stangl was annoyed that he wasn't easily able to erect a radio tower on a Kauai ridgeline, and so instead of kicking dogs, he wrote a book about his difficulties. Despite the whining tone, Stangl's points are well-taken -- Hawaii can be both anti-business and anti-common sense.

"Na Pua Ali'i o Kaua'i" by Frederick Wichman (University of Hawaii Press, $16.95) As the only unconquered island of prehistoric Hawaii, Kauai has a royal tradition that is distinct from the other islands. Historian/storyteller Wichman has cobbled together a precontact narrative that ties it all together in mythic style.

"A Marriage Made in Heaven and Hell" by Marissa Marchan (Llumina Press, $16.95) The title of this otherwise pleasant autobiography is a good example of melodrama. Marchan's story seems average on the surface, but it deals with the basic issues of love and life, and so it's compulsively readable. It's like an oral history of a Filipino-American, but a recent history.

"Little Spring Eggs" by Ellie Crowe, illustrated by Yuko Green (Island Heritage, $8.99) There are an amazing number of animals in Hawaii that lay eggs. This charming, colorful book is full of flaps that lift to reveal the babies beneath the eggs. Typical classy IH production.

"Marshall Islands Legends and Stories" collected by Daniel A. Kelin, illustrated by Nashton T. Nashon (Bess Press, $14.95) Drama educator Kelin has a weakness for a good story that is well-told, and he collected these from the Marshalls. Many have never been published. Includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

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