“But have you heard what I said about land reform?” he pressed.

“That’s what we’re talking about,” Noelani said in her precise Bostonian accent.

“You would hurt your father very much if you were active in my campaign,” Shigeo warned. “As a matter of fact, you would probably hurt me, too.”

“I studied politics at Wellesley,” she replied firmly.

“Were you at Wellesley?” he asked. “While you were at Harvard,” she said.

In this story, the interaction between the characters is quite interesting. Shigeo is worried about the consequences if Noelani gets involved in his campaign. Noelani, on the other hand, is determined, having studied politics at Wellesley. The mention of their educational backgrounds adds depth to their characters.

A lot of the characters were annoying, but in the way that a lot of people in real life are annoying. No one's perfect, not even in paradise. This shows that the author is presenting a realistic portrayal of human nature. However, I have to forgive any book with smart young women from Wellesley. And to my 'Buela's credit, the elegant heiress to the Hawaiian throne is a Vassar alumna. This gives a sense of the diverse and interesting characters that populate the story.

Overall, the story seems to have a complex web of relationships and a touch of realism that makes it engaging.

I embarked on reading this book prior to my son's wedding in Hawaii. The reason was that I suddenly became aware that the only things I knew about the state were that Obama hailed from there and that surfing was popular.

To my astonishment, on the streets of Honolulu, I witnessed a significant number of Asians and Japanese tour buses. After reading "Black Flower" by Young-Ha Kim, I had gained some knowledge about the Koreans (it's an amazing book that included details about Koreans who participated in the Mexican Revolution), but I was ignorant about the Chinese and Japanese in Hawaii.

This book is truly wonderful, containing a wealth of information. However, I do have two major gripes. Firstly, and most importantly, Michener wrote about real people and companies. But by reconstructing fictional conversations and intuiting their motivations, he changed all the names. This is极其 frustrating because you know the characters are based on historical figures, yet you can't simply look them up on Wikipedia. Some of the people have been identified, but for others, you have to conduct your own research to attempt to figure out who they are. If "Wolf Hall" could use real names, why couldn't "Hawaii"? I'm guessing it was a different era when people were more worried about libel suits.

My second complaint is that it's a bit racist in certain parts. But Michener really does have good intentions, and you have to view it in the context of the time. Also, the ending was rather strange. Otherwise, it's a must-read, especially if you're planning to visit Hawaii, which everyone should do.

I first read this novel in the 1970's.

It was then that I became extremely interested in our 50th state. Since then, I have made several trips there.

If you have watched the movie, believe me, you must read the book.

Michner has a unique way of taking the reader on a journey. He starts from the very formation of the islands, then describes the arrival of flora and fauna, and finally the appearance of the original Hawaiians from Bora Bora.

The most engaging part of the book is the conflict of cultures as new groups arrive.

The idea of a melting pot is wonderful, but it didn't happen easily and probably never will.

I reread this massive book in preparation for our seventh trip to the islands. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

I have heard some islanders claim that Michner didn't get it right. However, this is a novel, not a history book, and the reader should keep that in mind.

Mahalo to a great author.

A wonderful read and I enjoyed it just as much the second time round. This book truly has a certain charm that keeps pulling me back. The story is engaging from start to finish, filled with interesting characters and unexpected plot twists. It's like taking a journey into a different world every time I pick it up. The author's writing style is also very captivating, making it easy to get lost in the narrative. I find myself completely immersed in the story, forgetting about everything else around me. Whether it's the first time or the second time reading it, this book never fails to bring a smile to my face and leave me with a sense of satisfaction. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good book.

Like most people, I can easily name several Michener books. However, I must admit that this is the very first one I have ever read.

I think I was always somewhat deterred by the sheer enormity of his books. After all, whenever you pick up a book that exceeds 1000 pages, you are well aware that you are making a significant commitment.

But these days, with an abundance of free time on my hands, a casual discussion with a couple of friends about these works jogged my memory, and I decided to take the plunge. And I am truly delighted that I did!

This book chronicles the history of Hawaii, from its very creation to its eventual statehood. It does so through the perspectives of several families, following their generations over time. It is a narrative that spans decades of racism, and at times, it was both heart-wrenching and difficult to read because of that.

Surprisingly, I found those experiences to be remarkably relevant even today, especially for our Asian American citizens. They say that if you have a better understanding, you can make better choices. I truly hope that this is the case.

I hope that many more people will pick up this book, whether they are rereading it after many years or, like me, reading it for the very first time. The timing couldn't be more perfect.

They should indeed place a photo of this book right beside the definition of epic in the dictionary, for it truly is an epic.

Michener's work delves deep into the history of Hawaii, encompassing even its prehistory. He explores every single aspect that has molded these tropical islands, from the powerful volcanoes that have shaped the land to the devastating wars that have left their marks, and to the countless people who have called this place home.

What makes Michener's history so engaging is his ability to humanize it. He tells the tales of individuals and their families, their dreams and ambitions, and how they respond to the ever-changing world around them.

Although this book is extremely long, I would highly recommend it without hesitation. Consider it as a captivating series and just dive right in! You will be rewarded with a rich and detailed understanding of Hawaii's past and the people who have made it what it is today.

1.5 stars - I didn't like it.

Sigh…… I have heard such marvelous things about Michener that I have acquired quite a few of his books over the years as I found them on sale here and there. Yet, this was the first one I settled in to read, eagerly anticipating it as I have an extended trip to Hawaii coming up just around the corner.

The first chapter was interesting, as he discussed the geologic formation of the Hawaiian islands and what was going on elsewhere in the world at the time. And then characters walked onto the page and they brought oh so much disappointment with them for this reader.

I found the dialogue to be painfully stilted, an utter lack of setting the scene (I knew the plot was currently in Bora Bora because it was stated over and over and over, but I sure didn’t feel like I was armchair traveling), completely forgettable characters and a level of disengagement that required a forced focus to continue paying attention to what I was reading.

"Will you go north with me?"
"Yes."
"Are you hurt?"
"My shoulder."
"Broken?"
"No."
"Wait for me at the canoe." He thrust her toward the shore and then caught her again, muttering, "We have come to kill your father. Do you still want to go?"
"I’ll wait at the canoe," she said. Now he heard Mato shout, "We've found him!”

Keep reading, I said to myself. It’s going to get better. But at 125 pages in, the thought of continuing for another 1000+ pages does not appeal even one iota to me, and I will be setting this one aside. I like to think that one day I will pick up one of the other dozen or so works I have acquired by this author, but honestly, it’s difficult when you have such a long TBR list to give them another go when the first impression was so dissatisfying. Might, might not.

First Sentence: Millions upon millions of years ago, when the continents were already formed and the principal features of the earth had been decided, there existed, then as now, one aspect of the world that dwarfed all others.

The descriptions of the land were truly amazing.

It was as if the author had painted a vivid picture in my mind, allowing me to envision every detail with great clarity.

The story, on the whole, was interesting. However, there were certain parts where it did tend to drag a little.

This made it a bit of a challenge to stay fully engaged throughout.

Nonetheless, I particularly liked how the different storylines intertwined.

It was like a complex web of narratives that gradually came together in the end.

This added an element of depth and complexity to the story that I found quite captivating.

Overall, despite the few drawbacks, the book was an enjoyable read.

It had its moments of brilliance and managed to keep me entertained until the very last page.

In the past two months, I have delved into two novels, one history, and one memoir about the enchanting Aloha State. However, I soon realized what I should have known all along; there is truly only one definitive book on this subject: James Michener's "Hawaii".

This remarkable work spans from the very creation of the islands from the ocean floor to the eve of its statehood. It is a powerful testament to the intricate and convoluted nature of history, offering no simple or straightforward answers. As the narrator describes the islands' formation, he asserts, "Remember this: its emergence means nothing; its persistence, everything." Indeed, persistence has been the key to the success of all its diverse inhabitants.

From the arrival of the first people from Bora Bora, to the unwavering determination of the New England missionaries, the iron will of the Japanese, and the resolute spirit of the Chinese, each group has contributed to the rich tapestry of Hawaii. The story also includes many others from Polynesia, the Philippines, Portugal, and Scandinavia, but the focus remains on the first four groups.

Each of these groups has its own saga, starting from their homeland and detailing the reasons for their journey to Hawaii, the numerous struggles they faced, their profound impact on the islands, and the islands' influence on them. The complex relationships between each group have shaped the Hawaii we know and love today.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, and every day on my way to work or during my walks, I was completely captivated by the sweeping events and intense emotions. As each family strives to become a stakeholder in their new home, the story unfolds with gripping detail.

Michener's novel was published seventy years ago, just as Hawaii received statehood. Part of me wondered how well the book would have aged and how it would be received today. While some of the language may be a bit dated, the novel is still, if not more, relevant in our modern times.

As we revisit history and reevaluate what we have been taught, there are many valuable lessons to be learned from this book. It shows us that history has multiple perspectives, and we need to ask critical questions about what we and others say. We must also pause in our arguments to look back at the sources and evaluate our positions against what truly happened.

The book itself is over 1,000 pages long, and the audiobook lasts a hefty 52 hours. However, it is an essential read, not just to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Hawaii, which is undoubtedly one of the most unique in the world, but also to appreciate the true complexity and multi-faceted nature of history. It is a reminder that history cannot be reduced to a simple Facebook or Instagram post.

I had been a great admirer of Michener's 'Big Books' for many years. However, when I first attempted to read Hawaii, I simply couldn't get immersed in it.

Then, a few years later, I was in the process of organising a trip to Hawaii with our young children. We had been there once before on the way to visit our relatives in the US. But this time, I made specific plans to stay on the beautiful island of Kauai.

As I was preparing for the trip, I dug out the book 'Hawaii' again. And this time, I absolutely devoured it! It was as if all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fell into place.

Sometimes in life, you just have to wait for the right reason and the perfect time to truly appreciate something. I loved every aspect of the book - the rich history, the vivid descriptions of the landscapes and the cultures.

This all happened decades ago, and I'm not even certain of the exact year. But recently, I was reminded of this experience and thought I'd share a few words about it. It just goes to show that sometimes, a second chance can lead to a whole new world of discovery and enjoyment.

I read this book decades ago, and yet I can recall it as if it were just yesterday.

Michener is truly a masterful storyteller. I used to make a joke that each of his books starts at the beginning of time. However, he has an amazing ability to make the reader care deeply about the story and then develop interesting characters to bring fascinating histories to life.

The way he weaves together the past and the present, and makes the reader feel as if they are a part of the story, is truly remarkable.

I look forward to rereading all of his books when I retire. It will be like revisiting old friends and experiencing those wonderful stories all over again.

I am sure that I will discover new details and insights each time I read them, and that they will continue to inspire and entertain me for years to come.

A 1000+ page brick that has some captivating bits, but is overall a slog.

The main problem lies in the fact that Michener failed to truly engage me with any of these characters.

On the rare occasions when I did begin to get interested in a character's story, Michener would abandon them and embark on a new plot thread with an entirely new set of characters.

This constant switching of focus made it difficult for me to form a deep connection with any of the individuals in the book.

As a result, the reading experience often felt disjointed and lacking in a sense of continuity.

While there were indeed some captivating moments and interesting storylines, they were not enough to overcome the overall feeling of slogging through the text.

It seems that Michener's attempt to cover a wide range of characters and plotlines came at the expense of developing a more cohesive and engaging narrative.

Perhaps if he had focused more on a select few characters and delved deeper into their lives and emotions, the book would have been more successful in captivating the reader's attention.

Overall, despite its length and the presence of some interesting elements, this book ultimately falls short in making the reader truly care about the characters and their stories.