Big Happiness: The Life and Death of a Modern Hawaiian Warrior

Big Happiness: The Life and Death of a Modern Hawaiian Warrior

"Big Happiness is extremely important to our community. Mark Panekâ€™s biography of Percy Kipapa speaks to the consequences of the destruction of Hawaiâ€˜iâ€™s rural neighborhoods, unchecked development, the ice epidemic, the failures of government, sumo, intricate family and neighbor relationships, and more. What is most impressive is Panekâ€™s ability to weave all of these complex topics together in a seamless narrative that connects all the dots. Part mystery, part investigative journalism, part poignant Island portrait, this work contains an emotional element that binds the reader to the subjects in a dignified yet touching way, showing compassion and even affection for people while revealing their flaws and shortcomings. This book will resonate with an Island audience and with anyone interested in Hawaiâ€˜i." â€”Victoria Kneubuhl, Hawaiâ€˜i writer and playwright
"This book tells of personal triumphs and failures, and also the triumphs and failures of families, communities, organizations, agencies, governments, and churches dealing with the multiple consequences of â€˜progressâ€™ in contemporary Hawaiâ€˜i. There have been heroes and villains at all levelsâ€”frequently, the same individuals and agencies are both at the same time. The story of Percy Kipapa is especially poignant because professional sumo gave him a unique opportunity to transcend Hawaiâ€˜iâ€™s culture of colonialism, racism, poverty, and drug addiction, which in the end all brought him down anyway. Mark Panek has done a masterful job of weaving these strands together."â€”Reverend Bob Nakata, former Hawaiâ€˜i state senator
"Spanning the history of Waikane and the brutality of Japanâ€™s national sport, Big Happiness is a remarkably ambitious piece that links one manâ€™s murder to the ice epidemic, land development, and political corruption in Hawaiâ€˜i. Mark Panekâ€™s meticulously researched, skillfully written, heartbreaking story, filled with voices that ring true, is an indictment of an entire system that crushed a gentle giant. While other Hawaiâ€˜i writers dwell in â€˜take me back to da kineâ€™ nostalgia, Panek tells it like it really is." â€”Chris McKinney, author of The Tattoo and Mililani Mauka.
Country USA
Manufacturer Latitude 20
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2012-08-28
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Latitude 20
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2012-08-28
Format	Kindle eBook

Big Happiness: The Life and Death of a Modern Hawaiian Warrior

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