The Bookshelf 
My collection of books on Hawaiian culture and history includes the titles below. I have found them to be invaluable references. I will gladly do look-ups from these sources to assist in your research. Please email me with your request.
Culture Ancient Hawaiian folk tales, pre-contact history, myths and legends, as well as modern essays on ethnic identity, culture, religion and language.
Fornander's Ancient History of the Hawaiian People by Abraham Fornander. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-56647-147-8Abraham Fornander was one of the most outstanding haole 19th century scholars in Hawaii to incorporate Native Hawaiian histories into a significant volume. It includes the events leading up to the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, and is far from the sanitized version sometimes promoted in standard history books.
Selections from Fornander's Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore Samuel H. Elbert, Editor. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1959. ISBN 0-87022-213-9
The stories in this volume are reprinted from Volumes IV and V of The Fornander Collection of Hawaiian Antiquities and Folk-Lore, published in 1917, 1918 and 1919. It includes some of the best loved Hawaiian stories.
Na Pule Kahiko - Ancient Hawaiian Prayer by June Gutmanis. Honolulu: Editions Limited, 1983. ISBN 0-9607938-6-0
The chants and prayers of the ancient Hawaiians, with English translations. Describes the traditions that existed before contact from the west. The prayers presented have been collected from many sources.
On Being Hawaiian by John Dominis Holt. Honolulu: Ku Pa'a Publishing Incorporated, 1995. ISBN 0-914916-23-8
The late John Dominis Holt wrote an angry reaction to a newspaper article concerning Hawaiians, published in 1964. When it was returned unwanted by the paper, he decided to publish it, and the result was On Being Hawaiian. Holt discusses the loss of "Hawaiian-ness", which began in the 19th century, and the spiritual, ethnic and cultural reawakening present in Hawaii today.
History These books contain a wealth of information on life and events in 19th and early 20th century Hawaii. They are excellent resources.
Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen by Liliuokalani. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-935180-85-0
The first hand account of the events that took place in Hawaii in the controversial and difficult last years of the nineteenth century, as told by Hawaii's last queen, Liliuokalani. When first published in 1898, it was a plea for justice, and restoration of the Hawaiian throne after the monarchy was illegally overthrown.
Hawaiian Genealogies Extracted From Hawaiian Language Newspapers, Volume 1 by Edith Kawelohea McKinzie. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1983. ISBN 0-939154-28-5.
Over 1200 names and 50 major Hawaiian families, Hawaiian Genealogies is an excellent resource for genealogists. Hawaiian genealogies were traditionally passed down in the oral tradition, and through the hula. In the 1800s, they were published in newspapers. The genealogies in this book have been extracted as they appeared in the newspapers from 1842 until 1949 when the last Hawaiian language paper stopped publishing. This is the first of three volumes. Indexed.
'Onipa'a - Five Days in the History of the Hawaiian Nation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Honolulu: Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1994. ISBN 1-56647-051-X
Chronicles five days in January, 1993, the centennial of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, through photographs and essays. This book endeavors to provide an understanding of the significance of these events, both past and present. 'Onipa'a means to be steadfast, determined and resolute, and was the motto of Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani.
History Makers of Hawaii (A Biographical Dictionary) by Grove Day. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing of Honolulu, 1984. ISBN 0-935189-09-5
An up-to-date, readable, reference volume containing five hundred biographies of people who helped shape Hawaii. Included are chiefs and chiefesses, explorers, missionaries, monarchs of the islands, businessmen, political figures, ship's captains, writers, artists, and others who influenced Hawaii from ancient times. An excellent source for historical background and information for genealogical research.
Stolen Kingdom: An American Conspiracy by Richard Budnick. Honolulu: Aloha Press 1992. ISBN 0-944081-02-9
This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the historic events leading up to the statehood of Hawaii. It details the illegal 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and the United States' annexation of Hawaii in 1898. It is an interesting and well documented account of the events leading up to annexation, and the role of American diplomats in the tragic demise of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This book tells you everything your high school history books wouldn't - the truth about how the United States "acquired" Hawaii.
Do you have a favorite reference book that you think should be included on this list? Has there been a book that has helped you in your genealogy research in Hawaii? If so, please e mail me with complete information, including the title, author, publisher, ISBN number, and a complete description, and I'll post it here.
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