Kahikahealani Wight’s newest book, “Rainforest Puuhonua” tells the story of five years spent living in a Hawaiian rainforest in the 1980s. It combines one woman’s search for her Hawaiian roots, stories about the Hawaiian rainforest and its rare gems, including
Kahikahealani Wight’s newest book, “Rainforest Puuhonua” tells the story of five years spent living in a Hawaiian rainforest in the 1980s. It combines one woman’s search for her Hawaiian roots, stories about the Hawaiian rainforest and its rare gems, including native birds, plants, and insects, and insights into Hawaiian world view and thinking. The book is slated to be published Nov. 1.
As part of the book launch, Wight will give six readings starting Nov. 1 on Oahu. Big Island readings are slated 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Volcano Art Center; 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Basically Books in Hilo; and 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Kona Stories in Kailua-Kona.
Wight, the daughter of a Hawaiian father and a mother from New England, grew up conflicted. The stories, songs and language of her ancestors enticed her, but was discouraged from pursuing her interests. In the 1980s, she purchased a cottage in Volcano village where she found her puuhonua in the Hawaiian forests. She currently teaches Hawaiian language at Kapiolani Community College and is the author of “Learn Hawaiian At Home” and “Illustrated Hawaiian Dictionary.”
