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  Petroglyph Press Presents New Edition of A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands
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  Petroglyph Press Presents New Edition of Dietrich Varez's
  Hina, The Goddess
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  Petroglyph Press Presents New Revised Edition of
  Hilo Legends
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  Color Copying Available

News & Specials

• Petroglyph Press Presents New Edition of A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands
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• Petroglyph Press Presents New Edition of Dietrich Varez's Hina, The Goddess
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• Petroglyph Press Presents New Revised Edition of Hilo Legends
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• New Book Distributed by Petroglyph Press — Endangered Plants and Threatened Ecosystems on the Island of Hawaii
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• Petroglyph Press Celebrates 45th Anniversary

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  Petroglyph Press Presents New Edition of A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands

  This Fall, Petroglyph Press is proud to present a new revised and expanded edition of our most popular book, A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands! In this updated edition the reader is invited even further into Hawaii's riveting history. In addition to the information included in previous editions—from the first human landfall in Hawaii through the sovereignty movement of the late 1990's–A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands now includes the momentous modern events that focused worldwide attention on the 50th state as it celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Most notable of these was the historic election of Hawaii–born Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency.

  This colorful history, written in the informal style that students found so appealing in author Dr. Barnes' classes, comes to life through interesting anecdotes and compelling images. Always accessible and fascinating, A Concise History of the Hawaiian Islands is now even better! I remains the perfect book for anyone looking for an overview of Hawaiian history.

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  Petroglyph Press Presents New Edition of
  Hina, The Goddess
  by Dietrich Varez!

  This Spring, Petroglyph Press presents a new edition of its much–loved and (until now) out–of–print book, Hina, The Goddess. 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 a performance of the powerful and ancient Kahiko form of hula at the 1986 Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, 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. From his research, he 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.

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  Petroglyph Press Presents New Revised Edition of Hilo Legends!

  This Spring, Petroglyph Press presents a new edition of our bestselling book, Hilo Legends! In this classic collection, the charming legends associated with landmarks around the town of Hilo on the Island of Hawaii are retold in words and pictures by author Frances Reed and illustrator Jan Moon. This new, revised edition features two new stories about King Kamehameha. "The Story of the Naha Stone," tells the legendary tale of Kamehameha's connection to the historic Hilo relic that can be visited in front of the Hilo Public Library. "The Law of the Splintered Paddle" explores a pivotal historical event on the coast south of Hilo that resulted in Kamehameha proclaiming the Hawaiian Kingdom's first written law, which become a model for the protection of human rights during times of war and upheaval.

  Hilo Legends also includes all the old favorites, like "How Hilo Got Its Name," "The Story of Coconut Island" and the Maui and Hina legends centering on Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. These ancient stories celebrating the history and landmarks of Hilo will continue to entertain and enlighten for generations to come!

  This edition of Hilo Legends also features a lovely new cover design by Jan Moon.

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  New Book Distributed by Petroglyph Press — Endangered Plants and Threatened Ecosystems on the Island of Hawaii

  Petroglyph Press is managing distribution for the fascinating new ecological book Endangered Plants and Threatened Ecosystems on the Island of Hawaii. This full color 64 page volume, printed by Hilo Bay Printing, is co–authored by UHH Geography and Environmental Studies professor James Juvik along with recent UHH Geography graduates John Delay and Kealoha Kinney. Other book co–authors include UH Manoa Botany Professor Mark Merlin, Hilo state forester Lyman Perry and Big Island ecologist Mick Castello.

  

  This book project is the outgrowth of efforts by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) to involve members of the Big Island's hunting community and its environmentalists in co–operative efforts to improve understanding and strengthen conservation of the island's unique and endangered native plant resources. The book includes chapters on the environmental factors controlling ecosystem distribution, current conservation efforts, endangered species laws and policies, and a field guide to selected endangered plant species, with ethno–botanical uses. Many full–photographs and maps accompany the text. Readers will also find information on access to public hiking areas on the Big Island where native ecosystems thrive.

  At Petroglyph Press we are excited to be a part of this important project. Stop by our retail store, Basically Books at 160 Kamehameha Ave., and check out Endangered Plants and Threatened Ecosystems on the Island of Hawaii! For more information, please contact us.

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  Happy 45th Anniversary to Petroglyph Press!

  1962 was an exciting and eventful year. It saw The Beatles' arrival on the music scene, the release of the first James Bond movie, and the opening of Petroglyph Press in Hilo, Hawaii!
  
  September 2nd marked the 45th Anniversary of Petroglyph Press, which has been printing, copying, and publishing in Hilo since 1962! To celebrate this landmark event, Basically Books hosted a spectacular party, which included refreshments, music by local musician Joe Marquand, and a prize drawing. The afternoon began with speech by Christine Reed, one of the owners of Petroglyph Press, and a traditional Hawaiian blessing presented by Hollis Kiwalao Taylor. When these special presentations had been concluded, the doors opened and the party began!

  Guests enjoyed a beautiful anniversary cake specially prepared by Petroglyph Press employee Krisy McKown, as well as other snacks. Petroglyph Press held a drawing for 45 prizes, including a brand new globe! Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Lau, astronomy professor and author Richard Crowe, and even the Travelocity Gnome!

  

  The original owners of Petroglyph Press, the late Stephen and Frances Reed , arrived on the Big Island in 1958. Through Frances' work as Librarian at Hilo Public Library, the Reeds became aware of the demand for Hawaiian books that had gone out of print. Sparked by their desire to resurrect these valuable and popular books, they decided to enter the publishing business. As part of their interest in Hawaii, they also studied with fascination the abundance of petroglyphs on the Big Island of Hawaii. They decided to name their new company Petroglyph Press, in honor of this ancient Hawaiian form of graphic communication. And so, in September of 1962, Petroglyph Press was born.

  

  Today, Petroglyph Press remains the only publisher in the state of Hawaii that can claim its products are entirely "made in Hawaii." From design and composition through binding and distribution, Petroglyph Press creates books about Hawaii in its downtown Hilo facility. Petroglyph Press also remains a family business—in 1974 Stephen and Frances' son, David, assumed management of the business. David's wife Christine became his business partner in 1976 when they were married. David and Christine have grown the Press into a multi-faceted operation at 160 Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo. Their firm includes Basically Books, which offers Hawaiiana books, maps, and gifts. Petroglyph Press is still going strong, with 15 books in print as well as copy, fax, and printing services available at its location in the back of Basically Books.

  Mahalo to all of our friends in Hilo for making our 45th Anniversary special, and for all the wonderful memories that the past 45 years have brought. Let's make the next 45 just as great!