March 2013 Author Events #2: John Clark

Beach and shoreline expert John R. K. Clark will speak on the topic of his most recent book, Hawaiian Surfing: Traditions from the Past, at two public programs:

Thursday, March 14, 2013
6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Atherton Hālau, Bishop Museum
The illustrated lecture is part of the museum’s Traditions of the Pacific educational program series. Free admission for museum members; $10 for general admission. To reserve a space, call (808)847-8296, email membership@bishopmuseum.org, or RSVP online.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, on Kealakehe Parkway
(74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona)
As part of the Hanohano ‘o Kona – Honoring Kona community lecture series, John Clark’s Hawaiian Surfing talk is presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai‘i. Free and open to the public.

March 2013 Author Events #1: Night at Waialua Library

This week the Waialua and North Shore community looks forward to this fun fundraiser for their public library.

Thursday, March 7, 6:30 p.m.
O‘ahu North Shore authors will discuss their recently published books at the annual Friends of Waialua Library Authors’ Night. Among the presenters this year is master jazz saxophonist Gabe Baltazar Jr., who will “talk story” on his wonderful memoir, If It Swings, It’s Music, and play a tune or two (or three) with a guitarist friend that is sure to be the highlight of an entertaining evening. As the Friends’ newsletter words it: “We won’t promise, but we are hoping that this gracious and generous man will give us a sampling of the jazz playing that made him famous.” Even without the music, Gabe is a treasure!

Joining Gabe at the same Authors’ Night are fellow Waialua residents George and Willa Tanabe to speak on the subject of their newest book, Japanese Buddhist Temples in Hawai‘i: An Illustrated Guide. The Tanabes could fill (and, in fact, have filled) an entire evening discussing their fascinating work that resulted from researching all 90 extant Japanese Buddhist temples in the Hawaiian islands. Given that the program features two additional authors (Waimea Williams/Aloha, Mozart and Courtnie Chang/Kolohe ‘Iole), they will give an abbreviated version.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (808) 637-8286.

The ‘Ukulele: A History Book Launch

The Ukulele book launch inviteJim Tranquada, director of communications at Occidental College in Los Angeles, will visit Honolulu to launch the book he co-wrote with the late John King, The ‘Ukulele: A History, on Saturday, July 21, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Native Books/Nā Mea Hawai‘i  in Ward Warehouse (‘ewa end, 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard). He will give a short talk and gather family, friends, and ‘ukulele fans to celebrate the book’s publication. Refreshments and kanikapila (informal jam session) will follow his presentation. The public is invited to the free event and encouraged to bring their ‘ukulele to join in the fun.

A former newspaper reporter, Tranquada is a great-great grandson of ‘ukulele pioneer Augusto Dias. John King was widely acknowledged as one of the modern masters of the ‘ukulele.

Tranquada’s visit is timed so he can enjoy the 42nd Annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii on Sunday, July 22 at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki.