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"Wai-Nani is like no other book I have ever read. Linda Ballou is a master of language,pulling the reader in
and evoking emotions hidden deep within. Her imagery will tickle your senses, allowing you to feel the story more then merely
reading.
Passionate and primal, Wai-Nani transports you to the early days of Hawaii, where warriors rule and women were expected
to know their place.
Wai -Nani refuses to be bound by the shackles of society and follows her heart--finding a destiny beyond her wildest
dreams. Follow her--no, join her--on this incredible journey."
Review by Joyce Anthony
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Available Now!
Wai-nani
High Chiefess of Hawai`i
Her Epic Journey
Linda Ballou
ISBN: 1-932993-88-6
Historical Fiction
$17.95/ 280 pages
Through the eyes of high chiefess, Wai-nani, experience the
Hawaiian society as it existed when Captain Cook arrived at Kealakekua Bay in 1779; ride the billowing seas with Eku, the
wild dolphin she befriends; learn why she loved the savage, conflicted ruler, Makaha; walk with her as she defies ancient
laws and harsh taboos of the Island people; share the love she received from all who knew her and learn how she rose to become
the most powerful woman in old Hawai`i.
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Listen to Anna Maria Prezio's Radio interview of Linda Ballou
from October 6 2008, archived here:
To learn more about the topics Linda is passionate to discuss
for interviews or speaking engagements please scroll down.
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Linda Ballou
My appreciation for nature took me to Kauai, the most luscious of
all the Hawaiian Islands with pleated cliffs and treacherous seas fending off newcomers. It is believed by Hawaiians that
a mantle of mana (spiritual power) protects the island from harm. It is here that I listened to wind voices and the seed for
my historical novel Wai-nan: High Chiefess of Hawai`i took root in my heart. This story inspired by the powerful personage
of Ka`ahumanu, the favorite wife of Kamehameha the Great is a poetic rendering of the ancients with tales of heroes and heroines
doing supernatural deeds of mythological proportions. The people of old Hawai'i were connected to nature, played freely, loved
passionately and communed with gods that dwelled in every tree, rock and flower. This book is written in the name of Wai-nani
with great Aloha.
My quest today
is to get to as many naturally beautiful places as I can before they are no more! I have hiked, biked, kayaked and ridden
on horseback through some of our most precious wilderness areas. My travel articles and photos have appeared in numerous national
publications. My essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and various literary journals. My story “Look Both Ways
on Small
Islands” was included in the I Should
Have Stayed Home anthology published by RDR Books. Please go to my website
www.LindaBallouAuthor.com where you may view many
of my articles and photos. If you look closely your reward will be to discover the Secret
to Youth.
View Linda Ballou's interview at: http://www.lindaballouauthor.com/Interview.html
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Three topics Linda may elaborate on in Speaking Engagements:
How traditional Hawaiian Values are being applied
in today.
As interest in pre-contact Hawaii blooms, many native healers have
begun publicly teaching and practicing the ancient forms –lomilomi- the loving touch, ho’oponopono- the talking
out of things and laau lapaau-holistic medicines. All are finding good results in the modern world, especially in work with
young people trying to find their way.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the ancient Hawaiian
culture, but didn’t know to ask.
(1) Is it true that Hawaiians
only had a one-way ticket from Tahiti to Hawaii in early migrations?
(2) Is it true that the Hawaiians
attacked Captain James Cook and stabbed him in the back?
(3) Were women second class citizens?
(4) What about human sacrifice?
(5) Did the Hawaiians engage in incest?
(6) Were the Hawaiians cannibals?
(7) What is mana?
(8) Were people killed for walking on the shadow of a royal?
(9) Did Hawaiians have slaves?
(10) What are places of refuge?
Is This a True Story?
(1 Is it true that Ka’ahumanu married Kamehameha when she was thirteen?
(2) Is it true that Ka`ahumanu’s mother was a paramour of Kahikili the Moi
of Maui and life-long enemy of Kamehameha?
(3) Is it true that Kamehameha was the illegitimate son of Kahikili?
(4) Is it true that Ka`ahumanu lived in Hana, Maui and swam to meet Kamehameha
in the Kau district of Hawaii with her pet dolphin?
(5) Is it true she swam with dolphins?
(6) Did Ka`ahumanu surf with Kamehameha?
(7) How big a part did sorcery play in ancient Hawai’i?
(8) Does the story follow the actual chronology of historical events?
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