Page Turners

"The Value of Hawai‘i 2: Ancestral Roots, Oceanic Visions," by Aiko Yamashiro and Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘opua (University of Hawai‘i Press, $19.99): This follow-up to the 2010 volume turns to the future of the islands, with short chapters on subjects ranging from sustainability to modernizing cultural traditions. Some chapters are more academic than others, but most have a distinctly personal tone. Edited by two UH professors.

"Cold War Kid: A Memoir of Sorts," by Tom Hanley (self-published, $26.99): Local resident Hanley offers a memoir about growing up during the Cold War era in what is basically a series of vignettes about his itinerant military upbringing, his career as an ad writer and his life in Hawaii, with various episodes involving surfing mixed in.

"Writing the Hawai‘i Memoir," by Darien Gee (Watermark, $14.95): Gee, a Hawaii island writer of six novels under the pen name Mia King, provides advice and exercises for the aspiring writer. The book contains practical information on getting started, developing a story arc, fact checking, libel and dealing with doubt.

"From Race to Ethnicity: Interpreting Japanese American Experiences in Hawai‘i," by Jonathan Okamura (University of Hawai‘i Press, $42): In this academic volume, the author, a UH professor, discusses how Japanese-Americans overcame barriers created by their ancestry and turned them to their advantage. Included are chapters on the Myles Fukunaga murder case and the rise of Japanese-Americans within the Democratic Party.

"A Nation Rising: Hawaiian Movements for Life, Land, and Sovereignty," by Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘opua, Ikaika Hussey, Erin Kahunawaika‘ala Wright, eds. (Duke University Press, $27.95): This compendium of essays addresses a wide range of topics related to the sovereignty movement, from individuals struggling to retain their native identity to activist efforts to protect or acquire native lands, and political perspectives on the re-establishment of a Hawaiian state.

"Reunion: Finding Gilbert," by Diane Covington-Carter (Marshall & McClintic, $13): In this memoir, the author covers everything from her student days to her career as a writer, but focuses on her father, Donald Covington, a Navy officer who participated in the D-Day invasion and befriended a French orphan, the titular Gilbert. He later served as a director of design at Pearl Harbor.

Page Turners highlights books by Hawaii authors and books about Hawaii or of interest to Hawaii readers. To submit a book for consideration, send a copy and information to Features Department, 500 Ala Moana Blvd. Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. For more information, email books@staradvertiser.com.