IN-SIGHT
108p. trade paperback
$39.99
Booklines Hawaii


Photographer Bruna Stude (showcased in this month’s HSGallerie) brings new meaning to the term “little black book” with the release of IN-SIGHT. The embossed black cover trade paperback (a hard-cover, signed and numbered limited edition is also available) offers a fine collection of Stude’s amazing underwater photography, the majority of which are produced in stunning black and white images. Only five of the 39 images are printed in color.

Stude allows the images to speak for themselves. Each image sits regally on the page with only a title and date. She summarizes her work with a few brief introductory paragraphs that express her feelings for underwater photography, a field that is both her passion and her livelihood. “When I photograph in the ocean, I look to find and capture the magnificence of that which is common and universal to it,” Stude writes. “By illuminating the extraordinary, I try to create awareness and inspire reverence.”

She achieves this goal spectacularly. The majority of the images are macro close-ups of ocean life including coral, anemone, shells, and fish. There are also stunning images of schools of fish, taken from perspectives that are fresh and revealing.

This book is for lovers of photography as well as those wishing to view scenes of ocean life that would be difficult to recapture without spending hours and days underwater.

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Above Maui
84p. hard cover
$14.95
Island Heritage

Another book for avid photography fans is Ron Dahlquist’s latest work, entitled Above Maui, Moloka`i and Läna`i. Filled with eye-popping aerial photography that covers Maui and the surrounding islands of Maui County, this book is a magical journey around the islands, showcasing views that the normal visitor would never see.

Dahlquist has a trained eye for capturing spectacular vistas of Islands scenery. Each image is gorgeous. Brief captions describe the locations, offering facts of a historical nature as well as facts that would be useful to tourists. Nearly every aspect of Maui is covered.

    The photographer, who lives on Maui with his wife and partner Sharon and their son, has been captivated by the scenic splendor of the Valley Isle since the mid-1960s. “I could live several lifetimes and never capture on film all of the beauty and grandeur of this magical island,” says Dahlquist. “But I will, with a passion, keep trying.”

It is to our advantage and gain that he does keep trying, because the end result will be more wonderful books such as this.  Dahlquist’s images keep us coming back to the Islands again and again, offering a window into Hawaii’s splendor and magic.


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The Hawaii Beer Book: Bars Breweries & Beer Cuisine
192p. soft bound
$15.95
Watermark Publishing


“He was a wise man who invented beer.” - Plato.

I don’t know if Plato actually said these words but he is quoted as saying them in Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi’s latest book, The Hawai`i Beer Book, a detailed accounting of the history of beer and its growth in Hawai’i.

It is apparent from the opening page that Tsutsumi (who occasionally pens stories for HS) takes this subject seriously and has invested a considerable amount of time in the research and study of the topic. She points out that the earliest known records of beer come from Mesopotamia and quotes a number of respected sources in retelling the history of beer.

This short book details specifically how beer relates to Hawai’i, including an entire chapter dedicated to profiles of each of the current local micro-breweries—giving their history and offerings. Additional chapters cover how to brew your own beer, how to appreciate beer, and plenty of beer trivia. One of the largest chapters is titled “Beer Cuisine” and in it, Tsutsumi outlines more than two dozen mouthwatering recipes where beer is a main ingredient, as well as recommended beer and food pairings.

Finally, a short chapter outlines where to find the “perfect pint” with names and addresses of many of the Island’s finest pubs, bars, and restaurants.

More than a trivial text, this book offers a comprehensive resource for the beer enthusiast. Tsutsumi takes great care in covering the topic with respect and has created an essential guide for any beer-lover who travels to Hawai`i.