Literature News

Signing tour for Stuart H. Coleman's new book Fierce Heart

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 May, 2009 : - - Stuart H. Coleman’s new book Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing will be released nationally on April 30th by St. Martin’s Press.  To celebrate the publication, the author will be traveling to book stores across the state to do signings and give talks about his book and surfing legends like Buffalo and Brian Keaulana and Hawaiian icons like Rell Sunn and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. 

He will also be talking about the Surfrider Foundation and their continued efforts to protect Hawaii’s oceans, waves and beaches. Makaha literally means “fierce,” and this community represents the heart of Hawaiian culture.  Surrounded by jagged green mountains on one side and a powerful blue sea on the other, the small town of Makaha has produced some the most talented watermen in the world and Hawaii’s biggest icons. 

FIERCE HEART is the biography of their community and a portrait of their people.  Starting with the rise of the Makaha International Surf Classic and Hawaii’s statehood in 1959, the story focuses on two generations of the Keaulana clan, one of surfing’s most famous families. After winning the Makaha International in 1960, Buffalo Keaulana sailed on the maiden voyage of the Hokule’a in 1976 and went on to become Hawaii’s legendary surfers, lifeguards and community leaders. 

His legacy has only grown with his sons and extended family in Makaha. Along with being an accomplished lifeguard, big-wave surfer and Hollywood stuntman, Brian Keaulana pioneered the use of jet skis to perform rescues and revolutionized ocean safety in the process.  His brother Rusty won three world longboarding championships in a row. 

Rell Sunn and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole were like older siblings, and they became the stars of Makaha during their short, brilliant lives.  Sistah Rell was Hawaii’s first female lifeguard, a pioneer in women’s professional surfing and a community activist.  Starting out with the Makaha Sons and then going on his own, Bruddah Iz eventually became the biggest artist in Hawaii and the voice of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement. 

Like shooting stars, Rell and Iz blazed a bright trail in the Hawaiian sky, but their lives burned out all too soon.  On the 50th anniversary of statehood (and Israel’s birth), FIERCE HEART chronicles the history of Hawaii’s wild Westside and the enduring legacy of its leaders. Originally from Charleston, S.C., Stuart H. Coleman moved to Hawaii in 1993 to teach, write and surf. 

Coleman has taught at Punahou School, Iolani School and the East-West Center. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Men’s Journal, Salon.com, Sierra Magazine, Surfer’s Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Honolulu Magazine, Hawaii Magazine and Charleston Magazine. 

Coleman is the author of the award-winning book Eddie Would Go.  He currently works as the Surfrider Foundation’s Hawaii Regional Coordinator and will be making donations from sales to Surfrider, the Rell Sunn Educational Fund and the Hawaii Junior Lifeguard Program.  For more information, go to:  stuart-coleman.com or eddiewouldgo.com. 
                                 
Book signing & party schedule  

1. Sat., May 2, 2:00 pm – Barnes & Noble Store, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Hon.
2.  Sun., May 3, 2:00 pm – Border’s Books, Ward Center, Hon., HI.
3.  Thur., May 7, 6:00-9:00 pm – Oceans 808, Restaurant Row, Hon., HI;
4.  Sat., May 9, 2:00 pm – Borders Books, 4303 Nawiliwili Rd., Lihue, Kauai.
5. Sun., May 17, 2:00 pm, Hawaii Book and Music Festival, Hon., HI.
6. Thur., May 21, 6:00-8:00 pm – EcoLounge Party, Indigo Rest., Hon., HI.
7. Sat., May 23, 4:00 pm – Borders Books, 270 Dairy Rd., Kahului, Maui.
8. Sun., May 24, 2:00 pm, Barnes & Noble, 325 Keawe St., Lahaina, Maui;.
9. Sat., May 30, 2:00 pm – Borders Books, 301 Makaala St., Hilo, HI.
10. Sun., May 31, 11:00 am – Borders Books, 75-1000 Henry St., Kailua-Kona, HI.
11. Sat., June 6, 2:30pm, Borders Books, 2110 Bellflower Rd., Long Beach, CA 90815, James Beaven, Man., 562-799-0486.
12. Tue., June 9, 7:00pm, Bare Back Grill, 624 East St. (downtown), San Diego, Signing   Party with San Diego Surfrider; P.J. Lamont, 619-944-6726, pj@barebackgrill.com.
13. Wed., June 10, 7:00pm, Borders Books, 1072 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA; Gail Krippelmeyer, GM, 619-295-2201.
14. Sat., June 13, 2:00pm, B&N, Huntington Beach, CA
15. Sat., June 13, 7:00pm, Duke’s, 317 PCH, Huntington Beach, CA; Brett Barnes, GM, 714-374-6446; Signing Party with Huntington’s Surfrider chapter.
16. Sun. or Mon., June 14 or 15th, 7:00pm, Signing party with Santa Barbara chapter?
17. Tue., June 16, 7:00pm, Borders Books, 900 State St., Santa Barbara, CA; Ryan Thomas, GM, 805-899-3668; Meet up with JUNK Riders Marcus Eriksen & Anna Cummins in SB.            
18. Thur., June 18, 7:00pm, Duke’s, 21150 PCH, Malibu, CA; Josh Morgan, GM, 310-317-0777, dukesmorgan@aol.com; Signing Party with West LA/Malibu SR Ch.
                                                                                                   
Early Reviews of Fierce Heart
 
"FIERCE HEART is a powerful tribute to the Queen of Makaha. The stories in the book capture my mom's spirit of aloha and her dedication to helping others.  At the Rell Sunn Educational Fund, we are committed to continuing her legacy, and this book will help keep her spirit alive for years to come." -- Jan Sunn-Carreira, Rell Sunn Educational Fund

“FIERCE HEART is a memorable collection of stories about a unique place and a cast of characters that truly define modern Hawaiian culture and the spirit of aloha.” -- Shaun Tomson, author of Surfer’s Code & Bustin’ Down the Door

“Be warned, this edgy, fast-paced book is like surfing a Makaha wave - once you take off, there’s no turning back - once you start reading Fierce Heart, you will be unable to put it down. FIERCE HEART‘s wisdom will linger with you for a very long time, and you will never look at your own life the same way again.”-- Sandra Kimberly Hall, author of Duke: A Great Hawaiian

"The spiritual home of the traditional, ocean-based culture of Oahu's West Side is at Makaha, where the bonds of community have been nurtured and tested by the surf.  Stuart Coleman gracefully guides us into this world with respect and heart." -– Drew Kampion, author of Stoked!, Lost Coast and Greg Noll, The Art of the Surf Board 

Praise for Eddie Would Go:
 
“A compelling tale of one man's quest to bring honor to himself and his people.”– Emmett Berg, Los Angeles Times
 
 “Eddie Aikau was a lot of things. But thanks to Coleman’s book he will be remembered for what matters most: as a man who laid down his life for his fellow man.”– Terry Tomalin, St. Petersburg Times
 
“As a homespun homage to a modern-day folk hero, you’ll see why St. Martin’s has decided to take Eddie nationwide—and why it’s attracting loving glances from Hollywood.” – Outside Magazine
 
“Eddie was blessed with the right biographer; his soulful life has become a pageturner of a book.  We always knew Eddie would go.  Now, thanks to Stuart Coleman’s compelling biography, we know why.” – Jesse Kornbluth, Bookreporter.com

- Advertisement -

www.eddiewouldgo.com
www.stuart-coleman.com

What's your take on this?
Post your thoughts: SV Forum

New Survey: Map Surfing’s future 

Check the latest Hawaii Surf Reports and Forecasts
More Hawaiian & USA Surfing News available here

New! B2B News ASBE-Surf   |  Receive News-Alerts

Press Release

Literature - Surfersvillage