by Rose Cruz Churma
BRAVE, BOLD, and BEAUTIFUL—Inspirational Stories of Magnificent Women of Hawai‘i is a compilation of stories contributed by a diverse group of women. Compiled by ‘Iwalani Wahinekapu Walsh Tseu, each essay is accompanied by a full-page color photograph of each contributing writer.
In essence, half of the book consists of photos—where the left-hand side of the page is a photograph accompanied by text on the right-hand side. Considering the layout, one would expect more credit given to the photographers who took candid, jaw-dropping pictures, with brilliantly choreographed poses of women in various degrees of déshabillé.
Fortunately, the list of photographers is noted at the back of the book. They are: Natalie Brown Ahrens Quin, Tracy Wright Corvo, Pekuna Hong, Kimo Lauer, Mark Salondaka, Mark Schechter, Russell Tanoue, Nicholas Tomasello and Edwin Watamura. Unfortunately, none of the photographers were given credit for the photos they created. The photographs are the heart and soul of this book; this is a major oversight.
The cover itself is misleading. I suspect that the cover design that was originally conceived was to be green pen-and-ink sketches of the kukui or candlenut, a tree found abundantly around the islands—Hawai’i’s state tree.
The article titled “On the Cover” likens this book to the kukui, as “a rich resource —a meaningful reflection of cultural, medical, and spiritual growth for those seeking remedies to life’s challenges.”
Instead, the cover features a startling image of a woman in a white outfit adorned with bling-blings, all man-made—nothing natural like the kukui, nor anything that represents the Hawaiian culture—against a garish fuchsia background. This fuchsia cover is extended to the back, where the choice of dull gold fonts of text can’t be read against that outrageous shade of pink.
As the saying goes, do not judge a book by its cover. Although the last pages of the book contain sayings by ‘Iwalani Tseu titled “Health is Wealth” and her short biography (plus glowing statements from her varied admirers), the book itself is about the women of Hawai’i who dared to show their vulnerable side (emotionally and literally—posing for photographs that show a lot of skin and breasts covered by adorned fingers, fern leaves, shells, beads, stuffed toys, feathers and a guitar!)
The featured women are grouped into five sections. The first group is titled “Live” and is paired with the ki or the ti plant. The women in this group shared stories that reveal how the power of faith, sacrifice, or unwavering determination have moved them forward.
Some of the women featured here are TV personality Paula Akana, who now serves as Executive Director of Iolani Palace; Emmie Anderson, the founder and CEO of Pinoy Power Media; Mary Llanos Cordero, who is associated with the FilAm Courier; Lorna Imperial, nurse and consultant; Leni Acosta Knight, an artist; and Rosemarie Mendoza, Executive Director of the Hawaii Philippines Business & Economic Council.
The second group is called “Love” and is paired with the puakenikeni. This chapter contains stories that “conjure up fond memories, joyful feelings, and happy moments.”
The women and their stories are paired with the puakenikeni because love is like the blossoms of the puakenikeni, which mature over time and impress those who possess it with lasting memories.
Among the women featured in this section are: Melodie Aduja, a former Hawai’i senator; Teresa Naniali’i Bright, singer and composer; Elise Smith Tang Briscoe, kitchen and bathroom remodeler; Erika Cravalho Meyers, an educator; Sandra Sagisi, a real estate broker; Ginny Tiu, pianist; and Pamela Young, a broadcast journalist.
The third group is entitled “Learn” and consists of women’s stories that teach—sharing life stories where they’ve faced life’s obstacles and emerged a bit wiser. This group is paired with ‘oh’ia, a native species found in the southwestern part of the Pacific Islands. The ‘oh’ia has many variations—similar to how we learn—where lessons learned come in various forms, time periods, and impact which invariably shape who we are.
Some of the women featured are: Espie Badua, a licensed insurance broker; Mildred Barsatan, a nurse and entrepreneur; Annalisa Burgos, TV reporter and anchor; Michele Kidani, former State senator; Kristian Lei, entertainer and producer; Kymberly Marcos Pine, former politician; Joni B. Reddick Yundt, founder of FAMES Hawaii; and Adela Domingo Salacup, entrepreneur and caregiver.
The fourth section is called “Laugh” and features women who defied sorrow in trying times and join in the laughter with friends. This grouping is paired with the bright, yellow-orange five-petal flower of the ‘ilima plant. The ‘ilima’s delicate blossoms are a favorite of lei makers, with each fragrant lei requiring hundreds of flowers. Laughter lightens the heaviness of the soul, just like how an ‘ilima garland brings great pleasure to those blessed enough to receive one.
Among the women featured in this group are: Trini Kaopuki Clark, a non-profit CEO; Lori Lei Lumbago, a lei-maker and teacher; Pashyn Santos, an entertainer and comedian; Geraldyn “Cici” Ko, teacher and retired flight attendant; and Yu Shing Ting, the editorial director of Oahu Publications Magazine, whose full-body pose while eight months pregnant, with large leaves covering her strategic parts, is the subject of a singularly amazing photograph.
The fifth group, “Legacy,” consists of women who have left indelible marks on the lives of others. This group is paired with the maile, a vine that grows close to the ground but can twine itself onto a shrub or low-hanging tree in order to thrive. These women show us that whatever we leave behind can become a legacy to individuals we meet along the way.
Some of the women featured in this last group are: Agnes Cope, a community leader; Amelia Ana Kailua Bailey, a nurse and kudu hula; Paulie Keakealani Jennings, the executive producer of the World International Invitational Hula Festival; Beverly “Cookie” Maldonado, hula dancer and ‘Iolani Palace docent; Helen O’Connor, an integrative health service specialist; and Nalani Alua Olds Napoleon, an entertainer and advocate for Hawaiian history.
The book is published by the ‘Iwalani Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources for all individuals. It was formed in 2007 “with due intent of providing educational services to women about early cancer detection and prevention.” ‘Iwalani Evelyn Rae Wahinekapu Walsh Tseu is its founder and CEO. She is a renowned kumu of the Hawaiian art form hula as well as an expert in other Polynesian dance forms.
This book, which evolved over a period of twenty years, can be purchased from the foundation. This publication invites every reader to reflect on their own life’s journey and find comfort in the fact that one is not alone, and to search for the courage not only to survive life’s lessons—but to thrive in spite of it.
ROSE CRUZ CHURMA is a former President of the FilCom Center. She is also the co-owner of Kalamansi Books and Things, an online bookstore promoting works by Filipino Americans. For inquiries, email her at kalamansibook@gmail.com.
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