<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>A collection of essays, articles and profiles exploring today's Hawaiian people, their culture and practices in an attempt to answer the question, What does "being Hawaiian" mean today and how do we appreciate the culture?<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p>In <em>The Heart of Being Hawaiian</em>, author Sally-Jo Keala-o-Ānuenue Bowman presents a collection of essays, articles and profiles exploring today's Hawaiian people, their culture and practices in an attempt to answer the question, <em>What does "being Hawaiian" mean today and how do we appreciate the culture?</em></p><p>
</p><p><em>Being Hawaiian</em> is a voyage in words that explores the importance of each of us discovering or re-discovering what it means to be Hawaiian-whether we are Hawaiian by blood or not. The selection of essays included range in subject from the experience of attending the Kamehameha Schools, hula, the Punana Leo language immersion school, <em>lua</em> (Hawaiian martial arts), <em>lomilomi</em> (massage), Kaho'olawe, Kalaupapa, profiles of several Hawaiian <em>kupuna</em> and more. A number of the pieces included in <em>Being Hawaiian</em> have received Pa'i awards from the Hawaii Publishers' Association; in addition, the author has won several other prestigious writing awards for her work both in Hawai'i and the Mainland.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p><em>"Sally-Jo's words speak poignantly on both personal and universal levels. Like </em>hula<em> and chant, she gives poetic expression to emotions, experience and our contemporary connection with ancient knowledge. Her book is a treasure for anyone who calls Hawai'i home." </em>-Robert Cazimero </p><p><br></p><p><em>"With clarity and empathy, the author eloquently describes the problems and promise facing Hawaiians today. Through personal encounters with many others of Hawaiian ancestry, she shows us how accommodations can be made between traditional values and modern ways." </em>-Herb Kawainui Kāne</p><p><br></p><p><em>"To completely reveal and openly trust is uncommon in today's world, but for Sally-Jo Bowman, as a Hawaiian, it is vital. Her profound quest to understand herself as a Hawaiian is a lifelong journey of love and pain, understanding and healing. Her model of heartfelt exploration offers us strength and courage to find our own </em>ea<em>-our freedom to define ourselves as Hawaiians. </em>Mahalo piha<em> for a life-changing gift!" </em>-Maile Meyer</p><br>