BOOKS

Isle Pages

Releases from Hawaii authors

Reviewed by Burl Burlingame
bburlingame@starbulletin.com

"Surf's Up -- The Girl's Guide to Surfing"
By Louise Southerden
Ballantine, $14.95

Southerden is an Aussie surf expert and this low-down is rather Down Under in scope. Still, this chatty and information-packed volume is aimed directly at the sheilas, such as which sport bra works best in salt water. And it's all printed in cheerful blue ink.

"The Strange and Terrible Adventures of Popoki, The Hawaiian Cat"
By Diana C. Gleasner, art by Andrea Evens Winton
Peninsula, $9.95

OK, so far as we know, ancient Hawaiians didn't have cats. But we sure have them now. These kids' books are a series by former Maui resident Gleasner, and mischievous Popoki is quickly using up his nine lives.

"This Is The Big Island -- Visions of the Islands"
Photography by Kirk Lee Aeder
Mutual, $10.95

You can tell when a photographer really hangs out on the Big Island -- there are sunny pictures of Hilo! This keepsake book is pleasant and is redeemed by well-chosen words, but it's rather generic. For the touristas.