Basically Books Past Events Page

Past Events

Author Event with Patricia Panahi
Special Screening of VolcanoScapes . . . Kilauea in High Definition
Author Event with Ms. Gill McBarnet
Author Event with Tokie Ching and Sets Arai
Author Event with Jill Engledow
Author Event with Puakea Nogelmeier
Artist Event with Jonathan Wolf
Basically Books Welcomes Uncle George Naope!
Author Event with Harry Uhane Jim
Reading of Lee Cataluna's Folks You Meet in Longs and Other Stories
Artist Event with Local Musician Lou Ann Gurney
Author Event with John Clark
Author Event with Kenneth Cohen
CD signing with Big Island Musical Group Kumanu
Musician Jasmine Crowe Live at Basically Books
UH Warriors Coach June Jones at Basically Books!
Special Gardening Event with Craig Elevitch and Janice Crowl
Author Event with Jean Hee
Author Event with Sally-Jo Bowman
Black and White Night in Downtown Hilo
Author Event with Frances H. Kakugawa
Author Event with Janice Crowl
Author Event with Children's Book Author and Artist Tammy Yee
Petroglyph Press Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Author Event with Kathleen Porter

Author Event with
Patricia Panahi

On June 28th, 2008, Basically Books was pleased to host a booksigning with local author Patricia Panahi! Patricia's latest book, God Outside the Box: A Story of Breaking Free is a "rollercoaster ride of a spiritual journey," which chronicles Panahi's lifelong search for God in unexpected places. Born to a New Jersey Catholic mother and an Iranian Muslim father, Panahi never knew exactly what she believed. When she was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer at age 28, she began a search for spirituality that would lead her to many different people and paths. The book follows her on this journey, which finally takes her to Hawaii, her soulmate, and her own true calling as a writer.

Panahi hopes that her book will inspire readers to "gain a new understanding of their own search for answers," and ultimately discover their own spiritual path. It must have inspired some Hilo readers, because our event with Patricia was a big success! Besides those who had already read God Outside the Box, a number of people had heard her great radio interview with Mynah Bird and were inspired to come in and meet her in person. Patricia was busy chatting with readers for the entire time that she was at Basically Books. She said she really enjoyed the chance to sit with each reader and tell her story one on one. Many friends stopped by to wish her well and congratulate her on the book. Mark Panek, author of Gaijin Yokozuna, made a point to drop in for the event. It was great to see him again!

We had a great time at our event with Patricia Panahi, and hope to welcome her back again. God Outside the Box is available at Basically Books, along with Patricia's earlier book, The Well Woman Cookbook. Stop by and check them out! For more information on this event, please email or call us at 961-0144.
Special VolcanoScapes Event: Introducing VolcanoScapes... Kilauea in High Definition

On Saturday, June 14th, Basically Books hosted a special showing of the latest exciting VolcanoScapes DVD from Tropical Visions— VolcanoScapes...Kilauea in High Definition! This new cinemagraphic venture, which documents the activity of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island, features amazingly realistic high-definition images—it's almost like being right by the volcano! You can practically feel the heat from the red hot spatter cones at the Pu‘u ‘O‘o Vent, and smell the steam as the fiery flows enter the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean.

An enthusiastic group of viewers gathered at Basically Books for the debut of VolcanoScapes...Kilauea in High Definition. We were joined in the store by several of the talented people involved in the VolcanoScapes series. Emmy award–winning Mick Kalber, the "Volcanographer" behind Volcanoscapes, gave a short introduction and introduced Mark Richford, the High-Definition Editor who edited the footage and selected all the music for the video. Ann Kalber, the Graphic Artist who designed and took photographs for the disc and case also shared a few words about the process of making the VolcanoScapes documentary, and what it's like to get so close to Madame Pele.

After the presentations, we all got to watch the video! A 48–inch high–definition screen was brought in especially for the event, which made the amazing footage in the documentary all the more realistic. We were treated to 40 minutes of breathtaking cinematography accompanied by dramatic music. After the screening, VolcanoScapes fans were able to examine and take a look through the high definition camera used for the filming. What a treat!

VolcanoScapes . . . Kilauea in High Definition is currently available on DVD in both Standard and High Definition formats. The Blue Ray format will be available very soon. The new DVDs are available at Basically Books, along with all of the other incredible VolcanoScapes documentaries.

For questions about this event, please email or call us at 961-0144. To learn more about Tropical Visions Video and the VolcanoScapes series, visit them online at www.volcanoscapes.com.
Author Event with Ms. Gill McBarnet

On May 16th, 2008, Basically Books held a booksigning with local author Gill McBarnet! Ms. McBarnet is the author of the local children's classic The Goodnight Gecko, as well as many other Hawaiiana children's books. The Goodnight Gecko is the well-loved story of a mother gecko introducing her son to the soothing sounds of the Hawaiian night. It is a popular bedtime story which has delighted and reassured a generation of children. Even after 15 years in print, it remains among the top five bestselling children's books in Hawaii. Ms. McBarnet was in Hilo to celebrate the world premier of The Goodnight Gecko Ballet, which opened at the Palace Theater on May 16th! This exciting new children's ballet featured 70 young dancers from Center Stage Dance Studio, and represents the first time that one of Gill's books has been transformed into a performance format. Ms. McBarnet told us that it was "thrilling" to see her story on stage.

Our event with Ms. McBarnet was a lot of fun. When she arrived in the store, a crowd of fans was already waiting anxiously for her. Everybody, both young and old, enjoyed Gill's delightful personality and conversation. She was able to answer many questions about her books, and about seeing The Goodnight Gecko on stage. Our owners, Christine and David, were especially excited to meet Ms. McBarnet—their two children grew up reading and being read her stories.

The Goodnight Gecko is available at Basically Books, along with Gill McBarnet's other popular children's books, including The Brave Little Turtle and Gecko Hide and Seek. For questions about this event or these books, please contact us.
Author Event with Tokie Ikeda Ching and Sets Arai

On May 4th, 2008, Basically Books hosted a special Boy's Day event with Tokie Ikeda Ching and Sets Arai, the author and illustrator of the new children's book Boy's Day in Hawaii with Yuki-chan and Grant. This fun and informative book is another installment in the Yuki-chan series, which also includes A Hawaii Japanese New Year with Yuki-chan and Girl's Day in Hawaii with Yuki-chan. Once again, Yuki-chan, Grant, and their parents learn about a traditional Japanese holiday that is also celebrated in Hawaii, their home. This time the holiday is Boy's Day, and Yuki-chan and Grant have lots of fun learning about koi flags, Boy's Day figurines, the uses of iris leaves and flowers, and all kinds of traditional Boy's Day games and food.

It is always a pleasure to have Tokie and Sets as guests in the store. Their fun personalities and warm spirits are sure to make any event a special one. While they were visiting Basically Books, the store was full of Yuki-chan and Grant fans, many of whom purchased Boy's Day in Hawaii as a special Boy's Day gift. Tokie and Sets were happy to meet and talk to everyone, and even shared some traditional Boy's Day origami!

What a fun event! For information about more great events at Basically Books, please visit ourUpcoming Events or call us at 961-0144.
Author Event with Jill Engledow

On April 19th, 2008, Basically Books hosted a great event and talk story time with local author Jill Engledow! Jill was presenting her new book, Island Life 101: a Newcomer's Guide to Hawaii. This useful, informative, and fun book is a quick but comprehensive guide to all things Hawaii. From history, to food, to lessons on how to pronounce Hawaiian words, Island Life 101 helps newcomers to Hawaii to get a better idea of how life works in the islands, and what makes them so special and unique.

Jill came up with the idea for a primer to island life more than five years ago, after noticing that many mainlanders recruited for jobs in Hawaii left after a few years, unable to adjust to the local lifestyle. She put together an orientation class for newcomers to the islands, which became a seminar and later a book for newcomers to Maui, called Maui 101: Your Guide to Island Life. Her new book, Island Life 101: A Newcomer's Guide to Hawaii, expands on the ideas of the earlier book, encompassing all of the Hawaiian islands.

Our event with Jill Engledow was a lot of fun. We had a good crowd of people in the store to meet Jill. She spent time talking to everyone and answering questions as she signed books, and was a lovely, cheerful person to have as a guest. The Basically Books employees were especially excited about this event, as we had read parts of Island Life 101 and were impressed by its scope, detail, and clarity. It was great for all of us to meet Jill in person!

For questions about this event, please contact us at bbinfo@hawaiiantel.net or 961-0144. To find out what's coming up at Basically Books, check out our Upcoming Events Page.
Author Event with Puakea Nogelmeier

Our biggest event during Hilo's 2008 Merrie Monarch week was our exciting book signing with Puakea Nogelmeier! Mr. Nogelmeier is a noted Hawaiian language translator. His most recent project was the translation of The Epic Tale of Hi'iakaikapoliopele. The story of Hi'iakaikapoliopele, the youngest sister of Pele, is a grand adventure that explores the very human emotions of love, lust, jealousy and justice through the world of the ancient Hawaiian gods and goddesses. The written version of this story was first presented to Hawaiian readers as a daily series in the newspaper Ka Na'i Aupuni during the years of 1905 and 1906. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries a dozen versions of the saga were printed in various Hawaiian language newspapers. Until Nogelmeier's book, none of these versions had been published in book form or translated into English. Nogelmeier's new landmark publication is the most comprehensive known version of the tale. It contains over three hundred of chants and stories, making it a huge accomplishment and an invaluable treasury of cultural knowledge.

Our event with Puakea was enjoyable and educational for all. Though quite a crowd of people attended to get their books signed, Puakea stayed for over two hours and took the time to talk to each person individually and answer questions about the book. His knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the story of Hi'iaka was a gift to everyone who attended.

Both the English version and the Hawaiian version of The Epic Tale of Hi'iakaikapoliopele are available at Basically Books, for $40.00 each.
Artist Event with Local Musician and Flute Maker Jonathan Wolf

Basically Books hosted many special guests during Hilo's 2008 Merrie Monarch week. One event that we particularly enjoyed was our April 2nd artist event with local musician Jonathan Wolf. Jonathan is the founder of Dragon Flutes Rising, which specializes in handcrafted bamboo flutes, including the usually hard-to-find Hawaiian Nose flutes. In addition to Hawaiian Nose flutes, Jonathan makes ergonomically designed Chinese Xaos flutes, which are tuned to the pentatonic scale. All of the flutes are crafted from locally grown bamboo.

We thoroughly enjoyed having Jonathan as a guest in our store. He played both his Hawaiian Nose flutes and his Chinese Xaos flutes. Since different flutes are made to play at different pitches, Jonathan played several of each type of flute. This really showed the versatility of the instruments!

We hope to have Jonathan back for another event soon! In the meantime, both Hawaiian Nose flutes and Chinese Xaos flutes from Dragon Flutes Rising are available at Basically Books. To learn more about Jonathan Wolf and his work, visit him online at www.dragonflutesrising.com.
Basically Books Welcomes Uncle George Naope!

Our first 2008 Merrie Monarch week event was a memorable one—on April 1st we were proud to welcome local hula legend Uncle George Naope! What a treat!

First, a little history on Uncle George and what makes him so special. Uncle began his hula studies at the age of three and has dedicated his life to the hula arts. He is co-founder of the Merrie Monarch Festival, and continues to provide inspiration and direction to various hula programs around the world. He is a master in the arrangement of hula, old time traditions and crafts, and song and dance entertainment. He is regarded as an island treasure, a great and valuable repository of hula lore, and one of the last living links to the spirits of old. In 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded Uncle George the National Heritage Fellowship, which is the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts. Uncle George used the fellowship to fund his latest endeavor: Humu Mo'olelo: Journal of the Hula Arts, which has so far released two editions.

We had a great group of people show up to talk story with Uncle George. One of the highlights of the afternoon was a visit from Helene Hale, who was Mayor of the Big Island back 1963, and served as a state representative for many years. As Mayor, Hale was the one who originally prompted Uncle George to come up with an idea for a festival to promote Hilo. This idea turned out to be the Merrie Monarch Festival, which has now been running for 45 years! It was great to see these two visionaries reminiscing.

Uncle George also got a surprise visit from some of his students from Japan! When they found out that he was going to be at Basically Books, they all put on their Uncle George t-shirts, hid in the back of the store, and jumped out when Uncle arrived! What a fun surprise!

We had a great time with Uncle George Naope, and would love to have him back whenever he is in Hilo. For more information about this event, please contact us at bbinfo@hawaiiantel.net or 961-0144. Don't forget to check out our Upcoming Events Page for more exciting events at Basically Books!
Author Event with
Harry Uhane Jim

On March 29th, 2008, Basically Books hosted an event with local author and Kahuna Harry Uhane Jim, who was here to sign and discuss his new book, Wise Secrets of Aloha: Learn and Live the Sacred Art of Lomilomi. This important book shares the healing secrets of Lomilomi, the ancient art of Hawaiian massage. Much more than an instruction book, Wise Secrets explores many aspects of Hawaiian spirituality. Kahuna Harry teaches that physical healing is only a small part of Lomilomi; the emotional and spiritual aspects of Lomilomi healing are equally important. He shares that "Lomilomi is an emotional evolution, a gift from Spirit (the ancients) to humanity, which is available to all."

Our event with Mr. Jim was a great experience. We all enjoyed his company, conversation, and kindness. Many people stopped by to talk story with Mr. Jim, and he was happy to answer any and all questions. Harry stayed with us for two hours, so there was plenty of time for everyone.

Harry Jim originally hails from the island of Kauai, and has studied Lomilomi for many years. He is certified and licensed to practice this ancient art. He travels extensively giving classes, workshops, and private lessons.

For more information about Harry Jim and his work, visit him online at www.harryjimlomilomi.com. For more information about this event, please contact us at bbinfo@hawaiiantel.net or 961-0144. Don't forget to check out our Upcoming Events Page for more exciting events at Basically Books!
Reading of Lee Cataluna's Folks You Meet in Longs and Other Stories by Bare & Core Expression

On March 22nd, 2008, Basically Books got a real treat when we hosted members of the non-profit art and performance group Bare & Core Expression. They read selected short stories from Lee Cataluna's book Folks You Meet in Longs and Other Stories. This book is a compilation of pidgin monologues in the voices of ordinary people that you might meet at Longs. The stories rang from funny to poignant to disturbing, and portray many sides of life in these islands, and the people who make Hawaii such a unique place to live.

Our event at Basically Books was attended by a nice crowd of folks out supporting local literature. No one went home disappointed—the performances were great! Everybody who read was very expressive and engaging, and we saw see Cataluna's individual characters come through in every monologue. There were some great pidgin readings—we were really able to see how expressive and diverse pidgin can be!

Everybody here at Basically Books greatly enjoyed this event, and hope to welcome the folks from Bare & Core Expression back for other events! A big Mahalo to everyone who made this such a fun day!

For more information on Bare & Core Expression, visit them online at bareandcore.org. Be sure to visit our Upcoming Events page to learn about more great events at Basically Books.
Artist Event with Local Musician Lou Ann Gurney

On March 8th, 2008, Basically Books hosted a special artist event with local musician Lou Ann Gurney, to celebrate her new CD, Joy Ride! This eclectic jazz CD contains 13 classic jazz standards and jazz pop songs. It represents some of the finest songwriters in American popular music history, including Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Peggy Lee and Irving Berlin. Gurney adds her own unique jazz style to each song with a smooth voice that has been called "Gershwinesque charming and reminiscent of a simpler time of innocence..." (Desiree Moana Cruz, Island Beat).

Lou Ann Gurney has been performing on the Big Island for many years, focusing on classic jazz standards. Her familiarity with the genre allows her a natural feel for and kinship with the Jazz standard repertoire. Ms. Gurney's earlier CD, At The Hilo Farmer's Market, a collaboration with Leonard Kubo, is also available at Basically Books.

Our event with Lou Ann was fun for everyone who attended, and all of the staff! Ms. Gurney was joined by her co-producer, Greg Perry of Perryscope Records. Perry also plays in the jazz band Jazz Mele. Lou Ann and Greg's lively conversation was a great addition to the event!

You can now see Lou Ann Gurney live on Sundays at the Emerald Orchid. To learn more about Lou Ann Gurney and her music, visit her online at www.louanngurney.com. To learn more about Perryscope Records, visit www.pecktunes.com.
Author Event with John Clark

On March 1st, 2008, Basically Books hosted an author event with John Clark, author of the new book Guardian of the Sea: Jizo in Hawaii. Jizo, one of the most beloved Buddhist deities in Japan, is known primarily as the guardian of children and travelers. In coastal areas, fishermen and swimmers also look to him for protection. In Guardian of the Sea, Clark provides background information on Jizo as a guardian deity and historical details on Jizo statues in Hawaii. He also discusses shorecasting techniques and fishing clubs, which once played a key role in the lives of local Japanese.

John R.K. Clark is a former lifeguard and retired deputy fire chief of the Honolulu Fire Department. He has written six books on Hawaii's beaches, including Beaches of the Big Island. He is also a private consultant on ocean recreation and water safety.

We had a great time talking with John about Jizo and Guardian of the Sea. We even had some time to discuss some of the exciting new updates to his Beaches of Hawaii series!

For more information about this event or about John Clark's books, please contact us at bbinfo@hawaiiantel.net or 961-0144. Be sure to check out our Upcoming Events page for more great events at Basically Books!
Author Event with Kenneth Cohen Very Interesting and Informative

On January 18th, 2008, Basically Books hosted author Kenneth Cohen, who was promoting his new book Honoring the Medicine: The Essential Guide to Native American Healing. This event was very well-attended, and those who wanted to learn more about Native American healing were not disappointed; Cohen turned the event into much more than just a booksigning! He gave a fascinating and informative talk on the background and content of Honoring the Medicine, took questions and discussed points of interest with attendees, read selections from the book, and even preformed two Native American chants! Cohen, a long-time expert on native healing, explores Native American medicine not as a thing of the past but as a living and still evolving tradition. In Honoring the Medicine, he examines every aspect of Native American medicine, sharing a healing philosophy that connects its practitioners with the entire web of life.

Kenneth Cohen is a a health educator, a traditional healer, and scholar of indigenous medicine. He is the recipient of the 2003 Elmer and Alyce Green Award for Innovation in Energy Medicine. Cohen is also well known for his work with Qigong, the ancient art of Chinese energy healing. His earlier book, The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing is also available at Basically Books. Cohen's popular lectures have been sponsored by the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, the American Cancer Society, the International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, the World Congress on Energy Medicine, the Canadian Ministry of Health, and numerous universities.

We greatly enjoyed hosting Kenneth Cohen. His lively presentation style and obvious dedication to his work made this a very special event. For more information about Kenneth Cohen and his work, visit him online at www.qigonghealing.com. For questions about future events at Basically Books, check out our Upcoming Events page, or contact us at bbinfo@hawaiiantel.net or (808)961-0144.
CD signing with Local Musical Group Kumanu

On December 22nd, Basically Books hosted a CD signing with several members of the Big Island musical group Kumanu. A true melting pot of styles, Kumanu is an eclectic band whose songs range from R & B and Rock to Rap and Hip Hop. Kumanu's latest CD is called Earth Patriot, which is a project of artists and the environment sponsored by Recycle Hawaii and Performing & Fine Artists for World Peace. All proceeds from the CD go to support these non-profit organizations.

Our event with Kumanu was attended by many supporters of Earth Patriot, who got a chance to meet and talk story with these talented and conscientious musicians. The staff at Basically Books also enjoyed hearing about Earth Patriot's exciting projects.

Kumanu's Earth Patriot is available at Basically Books for $17.95. Remember, the sales go to a good cause! To learn more about Kumanu and Earth Patriot, visit www.artistsandpeace.org.
Local Musician Jasmine Crowe Live at Basically Books

On December 22nd, Basically Books was pleased to host Jasmine Crowe, a young and very talented musician from the Big Island. Something of a prodigy at 18 years old, Jasmine's unique blend of classical style and contemporary folk has already earned her a devoted following.

Jasmine first picked up the violin at the age of three. At five it became apparent that Jasmine had a very natural singing ability. By age 14, she was writing her own songs. Besides classical violin, Jasmine plays acoustic and electric guitar, the fiddle, and a little piano.

Our event with Jasmine Crowe was a great success. The store was full of family and fans, and some lucky people who discovered Jasmine's music for the first time. Everyone enjoyed the music, and was impressed by Jasmine's singing and musical abilities. She also entertained her audience with stories about the creation of many of her songs.

Jasmine's debut CD, Just Another Crush, is available at Basically Books. To learn more about Jasmine and her music, you can visit her online at www.jasminemirandacrowe.com.
UH Warriors Coach June Jones At Basically Books!

On Saturday December 15th, 2007, Basically Books was proud to host UH Warrior football coach June Jones! Jones was in Hilo to help celebrate the amazing achievement of the Warriors this season, as well as the release of the new book Hawaii Warrior Football: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Redemption. J. David Miller's Hawaii Warrior Football, which includes a forward by Jones, has been called the most authoritative and significant book in the history of University of Hawaii football.

Basically Books was packed for this event! Dozens of Warriors fans came out to meet Jones, who has led the Warriors to many victories in the past few years. We even ran out of Hawaii Warrior Football books (a common problem—the first and second printings of the book ran out in three months!) Fortunately, June Jones was willing to sign anything people brought him, including footballs and T-shirts.

June Jones has been coaching the Warriors since 1999. With him at the helm, the Warriors have played in 5 bowl games and lead the country in offence twice. They have groomed 10 All-Americans, 56 all-conference performers, and 16 NFL draft picks, including 5 drafted in 2007. Jones has, in his own words, "done it with mirrors," miraculously assembling one of the most talented, disciplined football teams against insurmountable odds.

Our event with June Jones proved to be an exciting and fun day for all at Basically Books! The feeling of community and pride in our team was high, and everyone was delighted to meet Jones, who has been so instrumental in bringing the Warriors to where they are today. For more information on the event, or on the status of Hawaii Warrior Football: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Redemption, please email us, or give us a call at 961-0144.
Special Garden Author Event with Craig R. Elevitch and Janice Crowl

On Saturday, December 15th, Basically Books hosted a special Gardening Author Event with Craig R. Elevitch and Janice Crowl. Elevitch is the author of the beautiful new book Pathways to Abundant Gardens: A Pictorial Guide to Successful Organic Growing. We were also pleased to welcome back our friend Janice Crowl, author of Container Gardening in Hawaii: How to Grow Paradise in a Pot.

In Pathways to Abundant Gardens, Elevitch explores many important elements of organic gardening, including soil building, nutritional information for both plants and people, and decreasing dependence on store-bought food. Most of the information in the book is accompanied by beautiful full-color photographs. This is a great book for anyone interested in starting or improving their organic garden.

Since its release, Janice Crowl's Container Gardening in Hawaii has been a big hit in our store, and we are pleased to welcome her back for another author event. This fascinating book explores the rewarding practice of container gardening for all kinds of plants and environments.

We are always happy to have these two friendly, cheerful authors in our store. Even though this event was a bit overshadowed by our signing with June Jones later in the day, Garden enthusiasts who did attend enjoyed meeting the authors, and many people bought the books as a pair.

For more information on Craig R. Elevitch, you can visit his website at www.craigelevitch.com. To learn more about Janice Crowl, you can visit her blog at hawaiigardening.blogspot.com. For more information on either Pathways to Abundant Gardens or Container Gardening in Hawaii please email us, or give us a call at 961-0144.
Author Event with Jean Hee

On December 8th, 2007, Basically Books welcomed local cookbook author Jean Hee to celebrate the release of her new book, Jean Hee's Best of the Best Hawaii Recipes! Jean Hee is the author of many classic Hawaiian cookbooks, including Hawaii's Best Local Dishes, Hawaii's Best Salads, Sides & Soups, Hawaii's Best Pupu & Potluck, Hawaii's Best Local Desserts, and Hawaii's Best Mochi Recipes. In her new book, Hee presents the best of the best, combining recipes from each of these categories into one book. From Portuguese Bean Soup to Mochiko Chicken to Haupia Chocolate Pie, all of your favorite local recipes are included!

Jean Hee was born in Hilo, and raised on a sugar plantation in 'Amauulu Camp 1. She taught elementary school for thirty-four years, including thirteen years as a kindergarten teacher. After her retirement, she began organizing the great local recipes that she had collected over the years into her best-selling cookbooks. Hee currently lives in Kane'ohe with her husband, Don.

Our event at Basically Books was attended by a crowd of fans and cooks. Hee talked to many people about cooking and other subjects, and even found some old friends from the Hilo! We all enjoyed her lively company, and hope to have her back for another event soon!
Author Event with Sally-Jo Bowman, Co-Author of No Footprints in the Sand: A Memoir of Kalaupapa

As part of her visit to the Big Island, author Sally-Jo Bowman stopped by Basically Books for a special author event. Bowman is the co-author of No Footprints in the Sand: A Memoir of Kalaupapa. This important book was written in collaboration with Henry Nalaielua, who was diagnosed with Hansen's disease in 1936 and was taken from his home and family to live a life of exile at the remote settlement of Kalaupapa on Moloka'i. This unforgettable memoir tells how Henry, who came to Kalaupapa as a young boy, managed to build a full and joyous life at the settlement, and shows why he still chooses to live there today.

Our event with Bowman was a friendly "talk-story" time, during which the author shared her experiences working with Uncle Henry. The small crowd that gathered at Basically Books had a great time—as did we!

Sally-Jo Bowman was born in Honolulu, and is a renowned story-teller and author. During her visit to the Big Island, she did several presentations and workshops for students, as well as bookstore appearances.
Black and White Night in Downtown Hilo a Big Hit in 2007

Every year on the first Friday of November, downtown Hilo comes alive with music, dancing, food and events. The streets are full of Hilo residents and visitors dressed in their finest black and white clothing, enjoying the sights and sounds of our special city. This event is Black and White Night, and it is fast becoming a Hilo tradition.

This year marked the 7th annual Black and White Night. As always, Hilo embraced the event. This year, over 70 businesses participated. These businesses stayed open late, joined in the Treasure Hunt, and hosted events, sales, and drawings of their own.

Basically Books was no exception. We put out oreos and other treats, and enjoyed the night! Early in the evening we hosted musician Rob Yamanoha, who entertained everyone with his unique style if island soul (Rob's CD, "Better," is on sale as Basically Books for $17.95—it's a good one!). Later we had musicians on the corner near the store—both Alabaster Saint and Moon's Landing proved to be exciting and entertaining additions to the evening!

As the evening wore on, the crowds kept coming! Hilo was full of celebration until late into the night. It was great to see everyone out in their black and white clothes, enjoying the evening and supporting downtown Hilo. We can't wait until next year!

Black and White Night is sponsored by Alice Moon and Company and P.O.S.H. (People Out Supporting Hilo). To learn more about Black and White Night and other downtown Hilo festivals, visit www.POSHfestivals.com
Author Event with Frances Kakugawa

Friday, October 5th

On Friday, October 5th, Basically Books hosted an Author Event with Frances Kakugawa, author of the popular children's books Wordsworth the Poet and, her latest creation, Wordsworth Dances the Waltz. Ms. Kakugawa welcomed a small group of Wordsworth fans, including a few who discovered her endearing books for the first time!

In Wordsworth Dances the Waltz the Hawaiian mouse Wordsworth is confused and troubled when his beloved Grandma begins to lose her memory. However, Wordsworth learns that even though Grandma has changed, she still loves him and can still enjoy the activities that she used to, such as dancing.

Kakugawa's body of work also includes the adult book Mosaic Moon: Caregiving Through Poetry, a collection of poetry which deals with the difficult issue of Alzheimer's disease. Like Wordsworth Dances the Waltz, the collection is a unique resource for anyone with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Frances Kakugawa is a retired Hawaii educator. Originally from the Big Island. she taught for many years in the Hawaii public school system, as well as serving as a teacher/trainer and curriculum writer/lecturer for the University of Hawaii and the State Department of Education. Through her workshops and speaking engagements, she is a leading advocate of the power of poetry to enrich the lives of children, the elderly, and those who care for them.

The staff at Basically Books greatly enjoyed meeting Ms. Kakugawa, as well as her family and friends. We hope to host her again in the near future!
Author Event with Janice Crowl

Saturday, September 29th

On September 29th, Basically Books hosted an Author Event with local author Janice Crowl, who recently published the book Container Gardening in Hawaii: How to Grow Paradise in a Pot. Janice signed many copies of this exciting new gardening book, and discussed her methods with the small crowd of people who attended. She even brought a beautiful example of a hypertufa container (the creation of this type of container is discussed in detail on pages 33-38 of Container Gardening. Guests enjoyed personal conversations with Janice about this and many other of the containers discussed in her book.

Full of photographs and step-by-step instructions, Container Gardening in Hawaii teaches all kinds of gardeners how to turn almost any space into a tropical oasis. Container gardening can solve many growing problems common in Hawaii, such as soil-borne diseases, bare lava rock, and poor drainage.

Janice Crowl grew up on O'ahu and on the Big Island. She currently resides in Hilo, where she is a freelance writer and master gardener with the Hawaii Island Master Gardeners Association. She holds a certificate in Landscape Horticulture from Merrott Collage in Oakland, California, and a BA in English from UH Manoa. She has taught garden-based curricula to promote literacy, health nutrition, and environmental stewardship through school gardens and community gardens in Hawaii and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Janice taught us a lot about the exciting possibilities of container gardening! To learn more about Janice Crowl and her work, visit her blog at hawaiigardening.blogspot.com. Check our Upcoming Events Page for more exciting events at Basically Books!
Booksigning with Tammy Yee

Saturday, September 8th, 2007

Tammy Yee, Hawaiiana children's Book author and illustrator, stopped by Basically Books during her visit to Hilo to sign her numerous books and talk story with customers and staff. Hilo is home to many fans of Yee's charming stories and illustrations, and the store was full of the young and young at heart. Even local author Janice Crowl stopped by to visit. Yee, a former Hilo resident, said that she was happy to be back in town, if only for a day.

Tammy Yee grew up in Hilo and Honolulu, Hawaii, where she explored tide pools, swam in streams, and wrote and illustrated spooky stories. After graduating college she worked as a pediatric registered nurse. Having children rekindled her love for picture books, so in 1994 she exchanged her stethoscope for a paintbrush and she's been writing and illustrating ever since.

Tammy's extensive resume of books includes Lullaby Moon, winner of the 2003 Ka Palapala Po'okela Award for Excellence in Children's Books; Baby Honu's Increadible Journey, an island classic which has sold over 70,000 copies; A is for Aloha, which was selected by "Hawaii Center for the Book" to represent the state at the 2006 National Book Festival; and, of course, her latest book The Tsunami Quilt.

In addition, Tammy has given numerous presentations in schools and libraries across Hawaii. Tammy lives in Windward Oahu with her family, three birds, two upside-down jellyfish, and a guinea pig.

To learn more about Tammy Yee, visit her website at www.tammyyee.com. Check our Upcoming Events Page for more exciting events at Basically Books!
Fun Had By All at Petroglyph Press' 45th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday September 2, 2007

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 for our parent company, 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!

Petroglyph Press has a long and interesting history—a history well worth celebrating! The original owners of the 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.

Stop by Petroglyph Press, located inside Basically Books at 160 Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, or visit www.petroglyphpress.com to learn more about Petroglyph Press. Check our Upcoming Events Page for more exciting events at Basically Books!
Author Event with Kathleen Porter a Great Success!

Friday August 3, 2007

On August 3rd, Basically Books hosted and exciting and informative Author Event with Kathleen Porter, author of the revolutionary new book, Ageless Spine, Lasting Health: The Open Secret to Pain-free Living and Comfortable Aging. In addition to signing her book, Kathleen gave a special talk and demonstration on natural body alignment.

Kathleen, a longtime yoga teacher, once suffered from chronic back pain and tension, as millions of Americans do today. She relied on repetitive stretching to provide relief for her aches and pains. It wasn’t until Kathleen realized that postural misalignment was the root of her pain and tension that she began to find lasting relief. Since then, she has helped hundreds of others discover how to align their bones while sitting, standing, bending, walking, lifting, carrying—even sleeping— to relieve their pain and discomfort.

In collecting research for Ageless Spine, Lasting Health, Kathleen traveled to the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Portugal to examine how many people in these cultures inhabit their bodies in truly natural ways. With hundreds of stunning photographs and clear instructions, Kathleen provides readers with tools for how to stand, sit, and move in a natural and comfortable way, staying true to the natural design of the body. Many of the photographs in the book were taken during her travels.

At our event, Kathleen gave an informative 15-minute talk on her findings. Her animated presentation style and willingness to answer the questions provided a fun and memorable night for all.

To learn more about Kathleen Porter and her work, you can visit her at http://naturalalignment.com. Check our Upcoming Events Page for more exciting events at Basically Books!