J. Arthur III Rath

Being Menehune: My Journal J. Arthur III Rath

Drama within Hawaii's supernatural and historical worlds is described by Arthur, a sickly foster child experiencing a troubled life. Avid reading makes him mentally tough, verbally agile, inquisitive, and very sassy. He watches Hawaii's "unfolding" with Kahu, his Menehune mentor; Miki, a Leprechaun, who once was Shakespeare's shadow; Per'fesser, an erudite American Indian Munchkin; Queen Esther of Ancient Persia, one of history's most exotic women; Rising Sun and Ah Soong, Asian pixies; as well as Ai, a beguiling Japanese girl who has become a Menehune. The boy is tormented by the ghosts lurking within his grandparents' home. They haunt his dark Hawaiian grandfather and pale Canadian grandmother because miscegenation-marriage of different racial types-is strongly opposed in much of America, and although seemingly tolerated in Hawaii, it causes severe consequences. The blond, blue-eye lad will inevitably have a confrontation with tormented Grandpa, who will insist that Arthur conceal the Hawaiian ancestry bringing him pride and self assuredness. Arthur faithfully records the origin of Hawaiian fairies, "The Menehune Opera," in blank verse. Cover illustration.) "Being Menehune, My Journal" is filled with history, creativity, inspiration, and A-l-o-h-a. Will there be a sequel? Absolutely!