Our Hawaii

Charmian London's Our Hawaii is an affectionate, sharply observed portrait of the Hawaiian Islands as both paradise and battleground. Drawn from her travels with Jack London, this revised edition blends personal reminiscence, travel writing, and historical commentary to reveal Hawaii's natural splendor, cultural richness, and political importance. Jack London's "My Hawaiian Aloha" frames the islands as a Pacific crossroads of empire, race, and destiny, tracing the growing Japanese presence, King Kalakaua's bold diplomatic gamble, and Princess Kaiulani's symbolic place in Hawaii's contested future. Yet the book is equally devoted to the lived spirit of the islands: their legendary hospitality, their deep-rooted social customs, and the irresistible charm that turns visitors into lifelong residents. From surf-boarding and world-class fishing to intimate visits with kamaaina families, the narrative celebrates Hawaii's hidden wonders, old family traditions, and the gracious warmth of Hawaiian households. It also confronts the history of annexation and the irony of missionary and colonial assumptions, presenting Aloha as both a greeting and a way of life. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.