Sandy Cameli, James Charles, James Prattas and Akinori “Aki” Imai will be featured during Kona Stories Book Shop’s Words and Wine event at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Keauhou Shopping Center.
Cameli is the author of “Happy a Day Keeps the Grouchies Away,” a picture book composed through rhyme to help children identify the positives in everyday life through the perspective of everyday friends and family. Cameli spent three decades teaching in West Hawaii at the elementary and middle school levels. She currently resides in Honolulu where she works for the Department of Education coordinating the Teacher Leader Program for all Hawaii public schools.
“In My War with Hemingway” by James Charles, Zach, a young veteran contemplates suicide after a horrific tour in Afghanistan when Ernest Hemingway appears and stops him. He enrolls in college where he falls in love with Jessica, a young woman from a wealthy family. Her love stabilizes him, and Hemingway’s appearances become less frequent, until she doesn’t return to school after break. He confronts her father who tells him he is not to see her again. Alone, haunted by the wars, and with his friend Hemingway pestering him, he descends into alcoholism. Teaming up with one of Zach’s army buddies, and in defiance of her parents, Jessica searches for him. But will they find him in time to save his life? And is her love enough to help him find redemption? Charles is an Army veteran who served in the Middle East, Honduras, Europe and the United States. He is currently an administrator with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
James Prattas “PTSD, Heroes Odyssey” is a story about PTSD and the author’s personal odyssey on the Vietnam War experience. It’s about experiencing tragedy, horror, disbelief, shock and awe and Dying and being reborn. After being shot and spending seven months in an Army hospital with malaria, hepatitis and pseudomonas, Prattas had an experience of going into and through the sunlight into heaven with angel guides then returning to earth to a new life. Prattas is president of The James Prattas Company and T1O2 & Aloha UV manufacturing and selling anticancer antimelanoma clothing.
Imai was born in 1928 in the sugar plantation community of Olaa, now known as Keaau, where he resided until his graduation from Hilo High School in June 1946. Imai moved to Honolulu thereafter, went through an apprenticeship program and became an electrician for eight years. In his soul searching quest, he subsequently enrolled at the University of Hawaii at Manoa initially to pursue a career in ministry, however, due to developing circumstances, he decided on a teaching career instead. In November 1959, he began his teaching career at Konawaena Elementary and High School and later served at Hookena and Honaunau schools, completing 25 years in education with the State of Hawaii.
Imai continues to reside in Kona and at age 82 in January 2010 after his Uncle Richard Imai’s passing, he decided to take up the project of recording the family’s history, thus a beginning of yet another career as an author. To date, he has published two books: “Our Nostalgic Heritage: Growing Up in a Place Once Called Olaa” and “And Yet, Another Phase of Life: Life Goes on Forever, For Life is Eternal.” Currently he is on his third volume, “Forging Our Lives in Togetherness: A Life of Divine Love and Wisdom.“
Following a more formal book presentation from each author there will be a Q&A session. The event concludes at 8 p.m.
Info: Brenda or Joy, 324-0350.