The writing in this piece was rather good initially. However, after reading through 300 pages, I found myself completely unable to envision continuing on for another 700 pages. There were just so many moments of "I don't give a fuck" throughout. To be honest, I really struggled to handle the Calvinist perspective that was presented. It seemed as if they were using the G-word, which is God, far too liberally. It felt almost overbearing and detracted from the overall flow and enjoyment of the reading experience for me.

I understand that the Calvinist perspective may hold significance for some, but for me, it just didn't resonate in the way that I had hoped. I found myself constantly getting distracted by the excessive use of certain elements and ideas. It made it difficult for me to fully engage with the text and appreciate it on a deeper level.

Perhaps if the author had approached the subject matter in a more nuanced and less heavy-handed way, I might have been more inclined to persevere and see what the remaining 700 pages had to offer. But as it stands, I'm left with a sense of disappointment and a feeling that this particular work just wasn't for me.

They don't write 'em like this anymore, that's for sure.

Gigantic, epic generational doorstoppers. Michener was truly a one-of-a-kind.

Edward Rutherfurd and Ken Follett come close, but they still can't quite match Michener's unique style.

Even Michener's later output, such as Caribbean and Mexico, isn't as Michener-y as his first books. They are like ghosts of Hawaii, Centennial, and The Source.

Hawaii was published in 1959, the same year that Hawaii became a state. I have read this book several times before. The best Micheners are all enjoyably re-readable, and Hawaii is no exception.

Although the last time I read it was almost ten years ago, it still holds a special place in my heart.

It's a novel, not history, but the best Micheners always feel historical. While the book is full of fictional characters and events, the flavor of the book seems historically accurate.

I never noticed before that Hawaii and Centennial have endings with the same flavor. Change is just on the horizon, and it's a democratic (and possibly Democrat) change.

I have the same wistful feelings at the end of a Michener. I have come to love the families so much that I want to know what happened to them in the 65 years since Hawaii became a state.

I want the books to keep going onward into the now, remembering that the last chapter of each Michener is always "the now" of when he was writing it.

It's a shame that Michener is no longer with us, but his books will continue to be read and loved for generations to come.

I first read this book during my teenage years. Recently, while in Hawaii, I decided it was time to reread it. Amazingly, it has held up extremely well over the years.

Yes, Michener may not be the absolute greatest master of the writing craft, but he surely knows how to tell a captivating story.

In this book, he presents the history of Hawaii through the perspectives of different races. It begins with the Polynesians who, 600 years before Prince Henry the Navigator sponsored his first voyage, emigrated in open canoes across 5,000 miles of the open ocean, navigating solely by the stars and a few scraps of oral history. Then come the Calvinist missionaries from New England, who, with the help of whalers and traders, caused unthinking yet well-meaning havoc on the native Hawaiian population. After that, the Chinese and the Japanese were imported by the missionary descendants for labor in the sugar cane and pineapple fields, although they didn't stay there for long.

This epic narrative, which spans 1,036 pages, is highly ambitious and all-encompassing. (Perhaps he thought, or his publisher did, that if he included the story of the Filipinos, the book would be too long to sell.) The story of the four Sakagawa brothers and their poor sister (I'll never forgive Michener for what he did to Reiko), and the story of the 442nd Battalion in World War II are both sobering and instructive. I'm quite certain that Shig's story is a fictionalized version of Senator Daniel Inouye's life.

The story that I found most compelling was that of Char Nyuk Tsin, also known as Wu Chow's Auntie and Pake Kokua. This peasant woman was kidnapped from her village in rural China, rescued from a life of prostitution by an inveterate gambler, and immigrated to Hawaii with him. When he contracted leprosy and was banished to the leper colony on Molokai, known as hell on earth, Nyuk Tsin voluntarily accompanied him and nursed him until he died. After that, she took on all the other lepers as patients, earning her the title of Pake Kokua (roughly meaning Chinese Helper in Hawaiian, but really it should be Saint).

Finally, the authorities in Honolulu, who had been supremely indifferent to the terrible state of the leper colony until then, allowed her to return home. There, she and her four sons, Africa, America, Australia, and Asia (yes, really, and the whole Chinese name thing is both fascinating and dizzying), got their hui working to found a financial dynasty that would eventually buy the land out from under the descendants of the missionaries. This book is well worth reading for Nyuk Tsin's story alone. I dare you not to shed a tear when she returns to Molokai to sit next to her husband's grave and report to him on the state of their family.

There is also a hilarious scene where one of the missionary descendants writes a marvelous expose entitled "Sex Aboard the Brigantine or They Couldn't Have been Seasick All the Time or There was Friggin' in the Riggin'". It's about exactly what you think it is about. I only wish Michener had let us read the whole thing, and I would love to have seen the original source material he got that from. I'm also intensely curious as to what the Islanders themselves think of Michener's book and how close it is to the truth. I've googled like crazy and found very little criticism of it, or comment of any kind for that matter. It would be interesting to know.

In conclusion, this book is well worth reading.

3.5 stars via Audible

I have never participated in a marathon, but I can surely claim that I have read a book that felt like a marathon (lasting a whopping 55 hours). My initial intention was to gain a deeper understanding of the history of Hawaii, and by golly, I managed to achieve that objective. There were certain moments when I was truly engrossed in the story of this book, finding it captivating and engaging. However, there were also times when I felt a bit impatient and wanted to skip ahead. The level of detail provided was simply overwhelming. There were countless characters to keep track of, which at times made it a bit of a challenge. I think this will most likely be my first and last James Michener book. But at least now, when someone mentions his works, I can say with confidence, "oh I know his books."

It took me approximately 150 pages before I was completely hooked.

This book easily became one of my favorites.

I truly love how Michener places more emphasis on the history and less on fiction.

His detailed exploration of historical events and their significance makes the story not only engaging but also educational.

The way he weaves together real historical facts with fictional characters and情节 creates a unique and immersive reading experience.

Each page is filled with rich descriptions and insights that transport the reader to different times and places.

Michener's writing style is captivating, and his ability to bring history to life is truly remarkable.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who has an interest in history or enjoys a well-written story.

I was perusing someone's list, and noticed that they had just finished reading "Hawaii" by James Michener. In the 20th century, I delved into several of his historical fiction books, with "Hawaii" being the very first. As I read it, I was utterly fascinated by the rich Hawaiian culture and the fact that it had a matriarchal ruler. The story centered around the takeover of the island, yet another tragic account of disease, harm to the people, and the dismissal of their culture as insignificant. Michener was the one who kindled my love for history. He made it relevant by also examining cultural aspects. He transformed it from mere dates, lifeless words, and tales of men fighting. This led me to pursue my undergrad degree in socioeconomic and cultural history. Back then, my favorites among his works were "Poland" (written in 1984, at a time when the country was striving for freedom from the USSR. In 1992, the Russians left, and Poland became a democratic nation. It was a remarkable event) and "Covenant" (published in 1980). This book was about South Africa and provided an insight into apartheid, its formation, and the discrimination it entailed. After reading it, I found myself rooting for the end of apartheid.

It has been a considerable time since I last read "Hawaii" and the other books. His works are complex. In my humble opinion, he was one of the finest historical fiction writers I have ever read, and he had a significant impact on the genre.

Reading this book was truly a monumental task.

I embarked on it while on the plane to Hawaii in mid-August and finally completed it on October 1st.

I almost gave up during the first chapter about the formation of the islands, but I'm extremely glad I persevered. Michener takes us on a remarkable journey, starting from Tahiti (Bora Bora) and leading us through the arrival of the missionaries, the Chinese, and the Japanese.

There are numerous marvelous characters, with Char Nyuk Tsin being my absolute favorite. The set pieces are also captivating. Michener excels at creating moments of high tension, which are enhanced by his rather laconic and understated style.

I was particularly touched by his descriptions of the four Sakagawa brothers at war. There are countless scenes and relationships between characters that will stay with me forever: the throwing of the "god" into the sea by the Bora Borans, the arduous voyage of the missionaries around the Cape, the tragic death of Malama, Abner Hale's complex relationship with Jerusha, and Kee Mun Ki's connection with Char Nyuk Tsin.

The leper colony at Molokai, "Wild Whip" Hoxworth and the growing of pineapples on Kauai, the picture brides from Japan and the "swap" between Kamejiro and Ishii... There is just so much good material. His commentary on the coexistence and rivalry between the ethnic groups in Hawaii is also profound.

I was a little disappointed with the ending when the identity of the narrator was revealed, but overall, it was a great (albeit long) read and well worth the six-plus weeks of my life.

Glory hallelujah!!

After nearly a month of delving into this 1100+ page masterpiece, I have finally completed it.

Very few books with such intricate and dense prose have managed to captivate my attention to the extent that this one has. I was truly in awe of how beautifully it was written. There were numerous occasions when I had to pause and carefully determine who each character represented in history. Google became my constant companion during the missionary chapters, as I sought to understand the context and significance of the events and people described.

Prior to reading this book, I knew next to nothing about the state that sits at the top of my travel bucket list. However, now I find myself longing to visit it even more.

While several sections of the book were stronger than others, by the end, they all came together seamlessly. This is truly an American masterpiece that has left a lasting impression on me.

It has not only expanded my knowledge but also deepened my appreciation for the power of literature to transport us to different times and places.

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and insights with others and continuing to explore the rich world of literature.

I really needed a bottle of wine and some stimulants to endure this particular thing.

You know, I'm Hawaiian, and that might have something to do with my state of mind.

The opening part was truly enthralling, captivating my attention right from the start.

However, I just had to skip the entire middle section.

I simply couldn't get past the missionary section. It was so unappealing that I had to keep a barf bucket close by.

Thankfully, I loved the rest of it.

Despite that one rough patch in the middle, there were still many aspects that I found enjoyable and engaging.

It's a bit of a mixed bag, but overall, there was enough to keep me interested.

Maybe with a bit more wine, I could have managed to get through that missionary part too.

But for now, I'll just focus on the parts that I loved.

I read this epic many years ago, and it has always remained in my memory.

It is truly one of the few that I earnestly hope to read again in the near future.

Just like many of Michener's books, I initially found it rather tedious to get through the earlier chapters.

In fact, it is probably one of the longest books I've ever had the patience to read.

However, despite the initial struggle, I can firmly say that it was very well worth the effort!

The detailed descriptions, the complex characters, and the intricate plot all combine to create a literary masterpiece that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Each page turn reveals a new layer of the story, drawing the reader deeper into the world that Michener has so skillfully crafted.

It is a book that not only entertains but also enriches the mind and soul.

I look forward to revisiting this epic and rediscovering all of its hidden treasures.

Finally finished!
It has been a long journey, but it is definitely worth it. The process might have been filled with challenges and difficulties, but through perseverance and hard work, the task is now accomplished.
Looking back, there were moments when I wanted to give up, but the thought of the end result kept me going. Each step forward was a step closer to success, and now that it is here, I feel a great sense of satisfaction.
This experience has taught me many valuable lessons. It has shown me the importance of determination and the power of not giving up. It has also made me believe that anything is possible if you are willing to put in the effort.
Finally finished! And I am ready to take on the next challenge with the same spirit and enthusiasm.

James A. Michener is indeed a master storyteller like no other. His work stands in a league of its own.

He commences his narrative with the volcanic activity that gave birth to the landmass of Hawaii. Just three pages in, it becomes evident why this book is so incredibly long. But who else could describe the formation of islands as a consummated marriage between two great underwater volcanoes? It sets the tone for the marathon-like experience that awaits. The narrator is like a person you initially只想 quick chat with, only to discover they can talk for hours, yet remain fascinating.

The book delves into the history of Hawaii, from its austere volcanic beginnings to the lush tropical islands cultivated by the ancient Polynesian voyagers. It follows the lives of the first Boston missionaries who lived and died there, forever altering the society and the land. It also chronicles the modern-day ethnically diverse society that has taken shape. The story is divided into three periods: the start of the ancient Hawaiian civilization, the arrival of the first missionaries and their attempts to create an Americanized Christian society, and the tale of the Asian/Pacific Islander immigrants brought in to work for the established children of missionaries.

The emotional core of the story feels accurate, at least from my perspective as a newcomer. However, make no mistake, this is not a history book in the traditional sense. It is more like a fictionalized account that weaves in historical events. The author tells the story from the viewpoint of one of the characters, which adds a personal touch and makes any potential flaws in the third-party opinion more forgivable.

Perhaps I was drawn to the characters, the society, and the tragic turns of history because as a student of hula, I cannot learn the dances and chants without also understanding the struggles and beauty of Hawaii and its people. What I appreciated most about the book was its vivid portrayal of how people can make good and bad decisions that have far-reaching consequences for society and future generations. It shows how a native people can be marginalized, how well-intentioned newcomers can cause irreversible harm (while also bringing some benefits), and how Asian-Americans have navigated their new society and embraced dual cultures. Even in the 21st century, the book remains relevant to current events in various aspects. It truly is a captivating human story. Bravo, James A. Michener!