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Current Issue Links
I recently found myself shopping at Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange
where I found and procured a most interesting book, “Stories of
Hawaii” by Jack London. This little treasure is actually a collection of
his lesser known short stories written during his three trips to the
Hawaiian Islands, beginning in 1907 and ending just before his death
in 1916.
Although I had never read any of his books, I was looking forward to
getting acquainted with him through his writings about early Hawaii.
This would be especially exciting for me since we both shared a love of
adventure, the sea and writing.
I remember back in the 1960s when I was a young sea pup home
ported out of Pearl Harbor that the locals and even some tourists
complained about the commercialism that was permeating Waikiki.
Jack London was cognizant of this trend way back in 1907 when he
first came ashore in Honolulu for an extended stay in order to savor the
Hawaiian culture.
You can readily tell this by his writings as his one big theme
throughout his many Hawaii short stories was the rapid changes
taking place in the old Hawaiian culture, brought on by the non-
Hawaiians.
He would be shocked and disappointed to see the extent of these
changes and what his 1907 Waikiki has become today!
where I found and procured a most interesting book, “Stories of
Hawaii” by Jack London. This little treasure is actually a collection of
his lesser known short stories written during his three trips to the
Hawaiian Islands, beginning in 1907 and ending just before his death
in 1916.
Although I had never read any of his books, I was looking forward to
getting acquainted with him through his writings about early Hawaii.
This would be especially exciting for me since we both shared a love of
adventure, the sea and writing.
I remember back in the 1960s when I was a young sea pup home
ported out of Pearl Harbor that the locals and even some tourists
complained about the commercialism that was permeating Waikiki.
Jack London was cognizant of this trend way back in 1907 when he
first came ashore in Honolulu for an extended stay in order to savor the
Hawaiian culture.
You can readily tell this by his writings as his one big theme
throughout his many Hawaii short stories was the rapid changes
taking place in the old Hawaiian culture, brought on by the non-
Hawaiians.
He would be shocked and disappointed to see the extent of these
changes and what his 1907 Waikiki has become today!
When Jack sailed to Honolulu in 1907, he totally immersed himself into the ancient and modern Hawaiian
culture and was able to glean many outstanding short stories from his island travels and experiences. No other
author can flesh out characters quite like Jack London did, and his stories make very interesting and exciting
reading. You will remember not only their stories but also their names like you have really met them during your
own travels. Jack was very good about discerning the many idiosyncrasies and prejudices common to humanity,
and his Hawaii stories are literally brimming with human faults such as greed, pride, arrogance, and elitism.
On the other hand, many of his more downtrodden characters exhibit character traits that are quite noble and
admirable. By the time I had finished reading Jack’s many interesting and enlightening short stories about late
18th and early 19th century Hawaiian culture, I felt that I actually lived back then and was personally acquainted
with not only him but his many and diverse characters as well!
culture and was able to glean many outstanding short stories from his island travels and experiences. No other
author can flesh out characters quite like Jack London did, and his stories make very interesting and exciting
reading. You will remember not only their stories but also their names like you have really met them during your
own travels. Jack was very good about discerning the many idiosyncrasies and prejudices common to humanity,
and his Hawaii stories are literally brimming with human faults such as greed, pride, arrogance, and elitism.
On the other hand, many of his more downtrodden characters exhibit character traits that are quite noble and
admirable. By the time I had finished reading Jack’s many interesting and enlightening short stories about late
18th and early 19th century Hawaiian culture, I felt that I actually lived back then and was personally acquainted
with not only him but his many and diverse characters as well!
|
| Book Review |
| Ridge Writers on Books ‘Stories of Hawaii’ By Jack London, ed. A. Grove Day 282 pages, paperback Mutual Publishing, 1986, $7.95 |
| By FREDRICK GARY HARELAND |
Visit www.ridgenet.net/~curtdan/ridgewriters for information about upcoming programs
and membership.
and membership.
This weekly column is presented by the Ridge Writers, the East Sierra Branch of the California Writers Club.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of each month at High Desert Haven and free programs are
offered throughout the year.
Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of each month at High Desert Haven and free programs are
offered throughout the year.
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