Page Turners

"The Red-headed Hawaiian," by Chris McKinney and Rudy Puana, M.D. (Mutual Publishing, $12.95): Popular local novelist McKinney and Hawaii island doctor Puana combine on this memoir about Puana’s life. Though mostly of Hawaiian blood, Puana was born with red hair and pale skin and was teased mercilessly in his hometown of Kahaluu. He overcame his bad grades and low self-esteem to become a respected physician.

"Local Story: The Massie-Kahahawai Case and the Culture of History," by John P. Rosa (University of Hawai‘i Press, $19.99): UH history professor John Rosa looks at the infamous case in which Navy wife Thalia Massie leveled rape charges at "some Hawaiian boys." One of the accused, Joseph Kahahawai, was killed as a result, but his killers were unpunished. Rosa examines the evolving views of the story as seen in dramatizations on screen and stage.

"Fly Away," by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Griffin, $15.99): Best-selling author Kristin Hannah, a part-time Hawaii resident, examines friendship made, lost and remade in this story about childhood BFFs Tully, the cool one, and the introverted Kate. After Kate’s death, Tully, who’s fallen into disgrace after a glamourous television career, tries to fulfill a promise to care for Kate’s children, leading to a re-evaluation of her life.

"Murder at Volcano House," by Chip Hughes (Slate Ridge Press, $14.95): This is another "Surfing Detective Mystery" featuring Hughes’ hard-bitten detective Kai Cooke, who ventures to Hawaii island to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Some say it’s Pele exercising her wrath, since the dead all work in geothermal energy, but there are human suspects as well.

"Sovereign Sugar: Industry and Environment in Hawai‘i," by Carol A. MacLennan (University of Hawai‘i Press, $39): MacLennan, an anthropologist and frequent visitor to Hawaii, discusses the development and impact of the sugar industry in Hawaii in this academic volume. She goes beyond economic analysis, looking at its influence on politics and culture, as well its effect on the environment.

"‘Aiea: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow," by ‘Aiea Oral History Project (self-published, $25): Arlene Seto Ching, former manager of the Aiea Public Library, interviewed current and former Aiea residents, editing and compiling their stories in this volume. Local businesses, and church and school activities are recalled, as well as the attack on 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.