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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Aloha from Hawaii

This week I have returned home to La'ie to do some book promotion, combined with a little bit of research. While not everything went quite as planned, I had a week that was nothing short of amazing.

I ate food featured in Bumpy Landings, including banana pancakes at the Hukilau Cafe:

and pineapple delight (which is no longer served in a pineapple shell) at the Polynesian Cultural Center night show.

I did my first school presentations as an author at my old alma matters, BYU-Hawaii and Kahuku High. I was joined by fellow CFI author Susan Corpany, who lives a short hop away in Hilo.

Susan also joined me for a very successful book signing at the BYU-Hawaii bookstore.

I met with all kinds of old friends as I wandered around town, and when they asked what I was doing there, I pulled out a card and told them about my book. It wasn't the way I planned to market Bumpy Landings, but it sure seemed to work.

I also went to see my friends in the band Vaihi, who provided the background music for my book trailers.

They made me get up and dance the Shama Lama.

And I did research. I was privileged to go behind the scenes at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and watch the cast and crew put together the night show. I also went to a community fundraiser, and solved two different problems that have been plaguing my current work-in-progress.

I had a chance to attend the La'ie temple, and see how nice everything looks after its recent renovation. Afterward, I went behind and took a picture of myself in front of the giant banyan tree.

The week has flown by, and while I'm excited to get back home to my girls and a routine that will maybe allow me a bit more writing time, it's going to be hard to leave behind this wonderful place in the middle of the sea.

Aloha oe, La'ie. Until we meet again.

5 comments:

Tristi Pinkston said...

Awesome pictures!

Although you know what I'm singing right now, don't you?

"With coconut palms, and banyan trees, and moonlit sands ..."

(South Pacific)

Anonymous said...

Oooh, sounds like an amazing trip!

Jolene Perry said...

Do they promote all their books in Hawaii? Cause that sounds awesome :)

Don said...

Of course they promote all of their books in Hawaii!

We writers, however, are on our own for author visits. :-)

Steve Westover said...

My next book is set at Crater Lake, but I'm seriously thinking of changing it to Hawaii just so I can have an excuse to visit.