(4) 4-6 Despite its unfortunate dearth of back matter, this biography offers an affecting introduction to a young man still celebrated in the Hawaiian surfing community. Known for his surfing skills and dedication as a lifeguard, Aikau met an early death in 1978 while rescuing fellow crewmembers on a traditional canoe voyage. Interwoven Hawaiian history and family photos give Aikau's story both personal and social context. An author's note is appended.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA Illustrated by Nashton T. Nashon & Nashton T. Nashon. [Collector-Editor]Kelin, a storyteller and playwright, has collected these little-known tales from all over the Marshall Islands and presents short biographical sketches of the original storytellers, as well as their stories. Some of the tales seem like story fragments, but others are strongly developed. The generous margins provide space for definitions and pronunciations. The line drawings are awkwardly rendered. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 This choppy retelling of Hawaiian legend tells about the powerful goddess Pele, who causes volcanoes to erupt, and how she made her home in Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. Dramatic collage illustrations in brilliant hues depict the fiery goddess and her volcanoes overflowing with lava. No source notes are included. Glos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen

(3) YA Illustrated by Connie J. Adams. Telling the origins of a singular Yapese custom, "The Stone Money of Yap" is but one legend in this collection of Micronesian stories. Presenting legends from several islands along with substantial background information about each culture, this is an unusual resource about an area of the Pacific little known to most North Americans. Strong black-and-white woodcuts complement the tales. Bib.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Connie J. Adams. Over forty tales--including creation myths, ghost stories, and animal tales--are presented in an overlong volume. Each section contains a lengthy introduction providing the historical background of a region, identifying specific islands, and touching on traditions of the various peoples. The margins are littered with definitions and pronunciation guides, making the book appear more educational than entertaining. Bib.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta