Petroglyph Press Books

Petroglyph of person dancing. Books

Petroglyph Press publishes a line of Hawaiiana books which are 100% "Made in Hawaii." From design and composition through binding and distribution, these books are "local style."

A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands

by Dr. Phil Barnes
Paperbound, 86 pages, 0-912180-56-0, 5.5x8.5, $9.95

A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands covers the major events and personalities in Hawaiian history from the first human landfall through the sovereignty movement of the late 1990’s.
The history comes to life through illustrations and interesting anecdotes. By investing a couple of hours the casual reader can greatly increase the depth of their understanding of the events that have shaped and continue to shape these magical islands.
About Hawaii's Volcanoes

by L. R. McBride, Paperbound, 48 pages, 0-912180-43-9, 5.5x8.5, $5.95

This book is an introduction to Hawai'i's volcanoes, written with both children and adults in mind.It discusses kinds of volcanoes, how they erupt, kinds of lava and how a seismograph works. How the Hawaiian Islands were formed with descriptions of the volcanoes and a history of eruptions and earthquakes are included.
A brief retelling of the legend of Pele, the volcano goddess, places the volcanoes in their cultural context. The many photos, maps and sketches add much to an understanding of the dynamic nature of Hawai'i's volcanoes.
Hilo Legends

Retold by Frances Reed
Illustrated by Jan Moon
Paperbound, 52 pages, 0-912180-45-5, 5.5x8.5, $5.95

The charming legends associated with landmarks around the town of Hilo have been retold in words and pictures in this compilation of favorite stories. Included are "How Hilo Got Its Name," "The Story of Coconut Island" and the Maui and Hina legends centering on Rainbow Falls and The Boiling Pots.

For many years Frances Reed was a children's librarian at the Hawai‘i County Library and used these tales in her story-telling hours. Jan Moon is a well-known Hilo artist and illustrator. Both women had lived in Hilo for 30 years when they worked together to create an enchanting book that will be enjoyed by both adults and children.
Hina - The Goddess

by Dietrich Varez
Paperbound, 56 pages, 0-912180-59-5, 11x11, 16.95
Temporarily Out of Print

Born on a stormy night full of intrigue and mystery, “Hina, The Goddess” has origins almost as wondrous as the tales of Hina herself.

While viewing performances of the powerful and ancient Kahiko form of hula at the 1986 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawai‘i, the audience had an unforgettable experience. A raging storm swept over Hilo. Thunder clapped and lightning struck, plunging the entire town of Hilo, including the festival, into utter darkness.

Many wondered if it was mere coincidence that the evening’s events included a compulsory chant for the wahine which spoke of Hina and the gourd calabash in which she captured three windstorms. Known for her forceful ways and power over the physical world, Hina is not to be taken lightly. One halau took this sign from the heavens so seriously that they withdrew from the competition.

Dietrich Varez was so struck by this incident and the power of the chant, he was inspired to create the first of the block prints appearing in “Hina, The Goddess” picturing Hina with her calabash. As his interest was piqued, he went on to delve further into the mythology of Hina in her many forms and from his research was inspired to create a series of block prints representing the many amazing and varied tales associated with Hina.

Petroglyph Press is proud to present this culmination of experience, imagination and talent so vividly portrayed in Varez’s signature style block prints and corresponding legends. We believe you, too, will feel the presence of the goddess Hina as you experience “Hina, The Goddess” for yourself. Born on a stormy night full of intrigue and mystery, “Hina, The Goddess” has origins almost as wondrous as the tales of Hina herself.
How to Use Hawaiian Fruit

by Agnes Alexander
Paperbound, 76 pages, 0-912180-53-6, 5.5x8.5, $7.95
How to Use Hawaiian Fruit was originally published in 1912 in Honolulu, where the author once owned a popular restaurant. Petroglyph Press added illustrations by William D. Brooks in 1974 and in 1999 reset the type and added a new cover design by Jan Moon, but kept the flavor of the original cookbook.

Almost all of the recipes are very simple and call for basic ingredients, and all use delicious fruits that are grown locally in Hawaii, including favorites like mango, guava, and ohelo berry. Note, with amusement, the recipe for Lomilomi Salmon on page 73 which calls for 15 cents onions and 5 cents tomatoes!. How times
have changed!
Joys of Hawaiian Cooking

edited by Martin & Judy Beeman
Paperbound, 134 pages, 0-912180-41-2, 5.5x8.5, $10.95

This collection was compiled from recipes shared by some of the best cooks living on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Some are gathered from foreign lands, some are family recipes passed from generation to generation and some are shared through friendship. These family favorites illustrate the great variety of dishes available in our Hawaiian paradise through the blending on the many varied races and nationalities living here in harmony. Included are recipes from the Philippines such as Pork Adobo with Spinich, treats from Portugal such as Pao Doce (sweet bread), specialties from Japan such as Sashimi and Namasu, and local dishes like LomiLomi Salmon. We hope you enjoy all of these local favorites.
The Kahuna: Versatile Masters of Old Hawaii

by L. R. McBride
Paperbound, 72 pages, 0-912180-51-X, 5.5x8.5, $9.95

In ancient Hawai'i the kähuna were far more than the priests of a religious order. They were versatile mystics, trained in a variety of skills and occupations, the learned and professional men of their time.

L. R. McBride collected information about the kahuna for many years through extensive research in 19th century books and interviews with the Hawaiian people. In this fascinating account he gives an accurate, readable, unsensational account of what the kähuna really meant in the Hawaiian culture of long ago. Illustrated with reproductions of historic old photographs and prints.
Kona Legends

by Eliza Maguire
Illustrated by Eva Anderson
Paperbound, 56 pages, 0-912180-54-5, 5.5x8.5, $7.95

It was in 1866 that Eliza Maguire first heard these stories from old Hawaiians on Huehue Ranch in the Kona district on the island of Hawai'i. Many years later she translated them into English. First published in 1926, they are simple tales shared among the people of Kekaha, the barren desolate section of North Kona that has often been ravaged by Pele, the Volcano Goddess.

Included in this collection is the tale of 'Akahipu'u, in which mischievous menehune try to steal the top of a hill, and the story of the cave of Makalei, which provided water to generations of Kona residents. This updated edition of Kona Legends includes a new cover and artwork by Eva Anderson. We hope that this collection will lead you to a richer understanding of the Kona area, its history, and its people.
Leaves From a Grass House

by Don Blanding
Paperbound, 58 pages, 0-912180-17-X, 4.25x5.5, $4.95

When Don Blanding discovered Hawai'i back in the 1920's Hawai'i discovered its poet laureate. For many people, Blanding's poems about Hawai'i keep alive their romantic dreams of a paradise in the Pacific.

Born in Oklahoma, Blanding lived from 1894 to 1957. His great love for Hawai'i and its people is reflected in his poetry. This was his first book, originally rejected by three local publishers and self-published in 1923. The first printing sold out quickly, and went on to become a classic addition to the literature of Hawaii. Petroglyph Press is proud to offer a reprint of this long out of print book, now available in its original size, with added biogrphical information. Blanding went on to author numerous books and later toured the country reading his poetry and sharing his experiences in Hawai'i.
Paradise Loot

by Don Blanding
Paperbound, 56 pages, 0-912180-55-2, 4.25x5.5, $4.95

Originally published in 1925, Paradise Loot is Don Blanding's second collection of poems about the beauty and enchantment of the Hawaiian Islands. Some of these poems were written after Don Blanding had left the islands and express the homesickness he felt when, for example, he passed a florist shop in New York and caught the fragrance of island flowers.

Many, such as "Luau," and "Bon Voyage," reflect the sorrow of saying goodbye and the inevitability of longing to return to the islands. All invoke a strong sense of place. No one has ever had such skill in using words to paint glorious pictures of Hawai'i. More than 40 years after Blanding's death, he still has a following of devoted readers and fans of his unique style of graphic artwork. Over his lifetime he authored 21 books, most of which remain out of print.
Petroglyphs of Hawaii

by L. R. McBride
Paperbound, 64 pages, 0-912180-60-9, 5.5x8.5, $8.95

This recently revised and updated book presents a summary of the information available on petroglyphs, how to view them, where to find them, and tips for taking photographs. With its many illustrations and photos, Petroglyphs of Hawai'i provides petroglyph buffs with extensive information and a complete bibliography of the sources used in the research.

New maps of the Island of Hawai‘i show the location of the vast petroglyph fields there, with detailed instructions on how to reach the most accessible sites. Although the largest number of petroglyphs are found on the island of Hawai‘i, petroglyphs can be found on all the Hawaiian Islands.
Plants of Hawaii - How to Grow Them

by Fortunato Teho
Paperbound, 84 pages, 0-912180-48-X, 5.5x8.5, $7.95
Temporarily Out of Print

Both ornamental and food plants common to gardens in Hawai‘i are included in this easy-to-use book. You will find concise information about propagation, culture and pest control, as well as a description of the plant and its origins.

Many gardeners in Hawai‘i are familiar with the name Fortunato Teho. The late Mr. Teho’s gardening column was avidly read by plant lovers throughout Hawai’i. The text has been updated to include new information on disease and pest control and plant culture. New illustrations by Sean G. Kimura accompany this guide for the home gardener.
Practical Folk Medicine of Hawaii

by L. R. McBride
Paperbound, 104 pages, 0-912180-27-7, 5.5x8.5, $8.95
Temporaritly Out of Print

L. R. McBride combined his talents as a thorough researcher and botanical illustrator with a life-long interest in folk medicine to produce this book of extraordinary value for students of natural medicines and Hawaiiana. Remedies consist of fragments of the knowledge of the medical kähuna and treatments that have come with immigrants from around the world.

Instructions are given for finding, identifying and using plants and herbs, including the tools needed to do the job. The fully illustrated text features an alphabetical listing of common ills and the natural products of the islands used to combat them.
Stars Over Hawaii

by E. H. Bryan, Jr.
Paperbound, 74 pages, 0-912180-58-7, 8.5x11, $17.95

The stars in the night sky over the Hawaiian Islands overwhelm us with feelings of wonder and amazement. They provoke images of Hawai‘i's first people, sailing from far away lands, finding their way by use of the stars in the heavens. Their knowledge of the skies, from the Hokupa‘a (North Star) to the Hanaiakamalama (Southern Cross) helped them navigate the vast Pacific in double-hulled canoes without use of compasses or maps. In contrast, today’s astronomers have explored the heavens with the use of advanced telescopes, satellites and space vehicles traveling to our moon and planets beyond.

Stars Over Hawai‘i presents an overview of current knowlege about the night sky above and the vast universe beyond. Twelve monthly star charts, plus two which label star names in Hawaiian, will help guide you through the year in your own explorations of Hawai'i’s brilliant starlit sky. Readers can learn about the phenomenon known locally as “Lahaina Noon” which cannot happen in the mainland United States. Hawaiian astronomy is explored through legend and what oral knowledge has survived to the present time. The chapter on Polynesian Voyaging and Wayfinding includes Mau’s Compass and the Hawaiian star compasses designed by Nainoa Thompson and reproduced with the generous permission of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Originally compiled by Edwin H. Bryan, Jr. in 1955, this revised edition of Stars Over Hawai'i contains a tremendous amount of new information contributed by Dr. Richard Crowe, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. Included in this version are current theories about the formation of our solar system and knowledge gained through space exploration and powerful modern telescopes.

Appendix One, which explores night and day, and the biography of the author were contributed by Dr. Walt Steiger, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Stars Over Hawai'i marries the knowledge of the masterful navigators of ancient Hawaii with today's astronomy experts to bring you an all-encompassing view of Hawai'i's skies, past and present.
The Story of Lauhala

by Richard Stevens
Paperbound, 84 pages, 5.5x8.5, 0-912180-57-9, $9.95

Starting with the legends and history of the pandanus tree, this valuable book covers a broad range of information from a description of the hala tree and its many uses to instructions for the weaving of lauhala products made from the leaf.

The ancient Hawaiians made numerous items for daily use, from floor mats to sails, food baskets to beds. Directions for cleaning and preparing the leaves for weaving are included, along with tips for the care and preservation of lauhala. An interesting chapter on lauhala products shows the many uses of woven lauhala. Also included is a chapter on the Hawaiian names for the different parts of the hala tree, along with the uses of these various parts. This book covers everything that the curious reader needs to know to gain an appreciation for this useful tree and its versatile products.
Tropical Organic Gardening - Hawaiian Style

by Richard Stevens
Paperbound, 84 pages, 5.5x8.5, 0-912180-57-9, $9.95

Anyone who wants to grow a garden organically in a tropical climate will find Tropical Organic Gardening~Hawaiian Style an invaluable resource. Growing food organically has increased dramatically in the twenty years since this book was originally published as Organic Gardening in Hawaii. Attitudes toward improved personal health and the welfare of the natural environment have prompted changes in farming and gardening approaches.

Author Richard Stevens has drawn upon years of experimenting in his gardens to share valuable information and insights with the reader. His vast knowledge about tropical gardening was acquired through experiences in many places around the world including Guam, Vietnam, and China. Growing practices in Old Hawaii are discussed, giving insight into life in a pre-chemical world and placing organic gardening in historical perspective. Basic principles of organic gardening have been modified for tropical conditions and resources. Following an introduction to building a healthy soil, readers are given tools for natural pest control, companion plants, and organic fertilizers. Nutritional information and growing tips for popular fruits, vegetables and herbs are included. Remedies for nutrient and insect problems are conveniently listed in separate tables. The environmental impact of chemical farming is also addressed.

Richard Stevens has written a book both practical and beautiful, with a prose style that transforms a gardening manual into a work of art. Reading this book is sharing a poet’s love for the earth, gaining renewed respect for nature and embracing the joy of growing food organically.
Hawaii Antiquities Prints

The Art of John Webber (1752 - 1793)
Set of 8 prints in mailing envelope, $8.95

The first pictures seen by Europeans of the newly-discovered "Sandwich Islands" were those of John Webber. They are still among the most compelling images of Hawai'i ever produced, transporting one back to that time and place. Much of what we know about Hawaiian culture at the time of first contact with the West was conveyed through Webber's drawings. A keen observer, he integrated many small details into his works, producing studies of weapons and artifacts, people and places. Upon his return to London from the Pacific in 1780 Webber's work was greeted with enthusiasm. Webber produced many engravings to accompany the official narrative of the voyage, including twelve plates of Hawai'i.

Petroglyph Press, Ltd. takes pride in reproducing eight selected John Webber Hawai'i engravings, once again making these historic and timeless images available.