Rating: 
Summary: Michener's best -- Among my top 5 books of all-time
Review: Early in the book, Michener tells a story of how man first arrived on Hawaii. The story is incredibly exciting and dramatic. What makes it so interesting is that his story couldn't possibly be too far from the truth. Hawaii is so distant from any other island. How could anyone have found it except by sheer luck? It's just fascinating to think about the extraordinary circumstances that must have arisen to compel a sufficiently large group of primitive people to leave their home and venture far out to sea. I first read this book about 16 years ago when I was a freshman in college. I stayed up all night reading it right in the middle of finals week, but I couldn't put it down. Since then, I have read most of Michener's books but still rate Hawaii as his best. It is always interesting to follow Michener's overlapping generations of characters. As the protagonists age, we gradually get to know their offspring. Each generation is a wild card. Some children further the good intentions and fortunes of their parents and others set the whole community back generations. The smooth transition between generations is the main reason it is so hard to stop reading. In classic Michener style, he frequently changes perspectives (native Hawaiian, American missionaries, Chinese, Japanese) and the reader can't help but feel compassion and understanding for each side of a conflict. Not that Michener is afraid to cast blame. Because he portrays each side so honestly, his political message has more credibility and is even more effective.
Rating:
Summary: It's like several books rolled into 1
Review: You can't look at this like it's one book. It's a journey through time, and with each quantum leap a new tale begins. James Michener does an awesome job -- if you saw the movie -- it's only a small fraction of the novel. Once you get past the initial geology lesson, you can't put it down. It's interesting how -- though written in the 1950s -- Michener is sensitive the the racial cocktail that makes Hawai'i special: such as when white missionaries spurn the services of a Hawaiian mid-wife (with tragic results), or the amazing feats of bravery performed by Hawaiian-Nisei soldiers on the battlefields of Italy. If you're traveling to Hawaii -- you must read this book. It will give you a better appreciation for that wonderful place and it's wonderful people. Just start it early, because the plane ride isn't long enough to read it all.
Rating:
Summary: Nui Aloha For Dis Book
Review: I wish I could give more stars. This is the greatest book ever written! It fairly and accurately tells the story of Hawai'i. You can learn so much about the people, history, and religion of these wonderful islands. It isn't portrayed as a sunny vacation spot for rich americans, it's shown in it's true beautiful form. I am very thankful thank Mr. Michener wrote this wonderful novel!
Rating: 
Summary: Probably Michener's best novel
Review: Michener, the supreme storyteller, created some really memorable characters in this monster of a novel. The genre of blockbuster historical novels can seem somewhat dated (viz. the mammoth novels of Mitchell, Ferber, McCullough, Caldwell and Follett) but they are definitely delicious if you get a taste for them. Dated or not, Hawaii is a gripping tale of not-so-angelic missionaries, struggling immigrants and early Polynesian settlers. The characters are absolutely unforgettable. I particularly liked the section of the book where the missionaries run headlong into the traditions of the Polynesian people, whether insisting they wear confining clothing in the tropical heat, or that they should quit their charming and practical tradition of dancing, swimming and surfing in the buff. The missionaries stubbornly eat dried apples shipped to them across the sea, and scorn the richly nutritious native fruits and vegetables unfamiliar to them. They wilt in their long underwear, donned by the season. They try hard to bring a foreign world to their religion in the belief it will benefit the people, but when two vastly different cultures clash, it is inevitably tragic. Michener writes about this clash in vivid, sometimes shocking detail. This book has been filmed, used as a basis for a musical but nothing compares to reading the original. I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: Master Storyteller!
Review: Having read several books by James Michener, I must say that "Hawaii" is my absolute favorite! It's length may be formidable to those of you who are not used to reading novels beyond 300 pages (this one is over 1,000), but don't let its daunting size scare you! This book is incredible and amazing! It is a fictionalized story that is intermeshed with truthful accounts of the entire history of Hawaii, from the very beginnings of Hawaii as an actual land formation erupting from beneath the sea, to its induction into statehood. This book spans quite a long time period, and it pays homage to the political, social, religious, and commercial workings and atmospheres of and relating to Hawaii during this span. This book touches on everyone and everything from Hawaiian royalty to New England Christian missionaries, from pineapple and sugar cane farmers out in the fields and in their shacks to the unique blending of the Oriental with the Polynesian cultures that make up the people of Hawaiian. It does not take place solely on the island of Hawaii, but travels to the far reaches of China and Japan, as well as to the continental United States and out over the open ocean.It is a historical fiction novel that almost makes you forget that its characters are not real people! This story will sweep you away with its descriptions of the island and its very special history. Many other reviewers said that they found the beginning (where James Michener describes the formation of the island from an underwater volcano to an actual island) to be boring -- this is far from my opinion! I found it incredibly interesting and very educational. After reading this novel, I was so impressed with Michener's writing and the breadth of his knowledge! You will definitely want to read more of his books. Don't miss out on this one, though!
Rating:
Summary: a natural paradise fo us to develop our best abilities
Review: 'Inhospitable in fact, paradise in potential, but with enormous riches waiting to be developed by those simply willing to take it!' 'If you come with purpose and better ideas, if you come with the Gods that will sustain you, and if you are willing to work until your head and aching arms can stand no more, then you can gain entrance to the miraculous crucible where the units of nature are free to develop according to your capacities and desires.' This is a sample, taken out of context to suit my needs, reflecting the 'exciting literary adventure' of James A. Michener. Take a closer look at the flow of words so it touches your soul: "These beautiful islands, waiting in the sun and storm, how much they seemed like beautiful women waiting for their men to come home at dusk, waiting for open arms and warm bodies and consolation." This is a novel about the spirit and history of Hawaii. It was written when television first appeared in one-hour formats. Michener wrote his first long novel admidst critics who believed the new medium 'would drive books into oblivion.' Read the first chapter thoroughly! The author wrote the first chapter to be difficult. "He wanted to establish firmly in the reader's mind the physical setting and to weed out the ribbon clerks." This is one of the greatest novels in America. I can tell you no more. I will not ruin your destiny. You will become part of the story about life. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: This book is among my favorites. I hate to say but I have read most or many of his books about 20 years ago, then I re-read them again from time to time. I always have found them to be entertaining and educational. Michener's books use a common plot formula. They start out by telling a story that in some way utilizes (accurately) the actual or known historical developments of a specific geographical region - in this case Hawaii. It follows the real time lines and people of a region. In the present case it is about a group of people that came by open boat from southern islands in and around Tahiti bringing plants and other things up to Hawaii. It progresses through the development of the islands adding in more characters and a more complicated plot as time moves forward. When I decided to review this book I was not certain if people were still interested in buying this book. I was pleased to discover that there is still a lot of interest at Amazon.com in this great south sea tale. Good read and a good gift. His series is excellent and perhaps this is his best work. Jack in Toronto
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Michener at his best. Great history, believable and engaging characters. A recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: One of Michener's best!
Review: Hawaii is one of my all-time favorite books. I've always like Michener's style of going back in time and following through to the present. I've been fortunate in visiting Hawaii many times, and although Hawaii's characters are fiction, the history of the Islands gives me a better understanding of our 50th state. And, it's just one great read! I wore out two paperbacks of this book (between myself and lending them), and recently ordered another.
Rating:
Summary: HOW THE HAOLES RUINED HAWAII
Review: Terrific book about the populating of Hawaii. From the Bora-Borans, to the stuffy missionaries, to the exploited Chinese, to the equally exploited Japanese, to something of equilibrium, the message is clear; JM was into haole guilt 40 years before it became politically correct to lay all blame on the white race. Apparently, the Hawaiians have a word for Caucasians, "Haole." In spite of JM's insistence that the haoles are the root of all evil, this was a great book about the struggles of the various ethnic backgrounds to make it in a new land. I read it on my way to Hawaii and while I was there. My one mistakes was not reading more of it before my trip. Very rich in detail and extremely informative. I found the view of the Hawaiian Japanese during the bombing of Pearl Harbor to be of particular interest. New perspectives on historical events are always welcome.
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