The Natives Are Restless: A San Francisco dance master takes hula into the twenty-first century

This stunning book, filled with gorgeous photographs, is likewise beautifully written. Hale’s crisp but evocative stories on the history of hula, the art form itself and the artistic activism it represents couldn’t be more timely. In an era of burgeoning native rights and the resurgence of native cultures across the country and across the world, how fabulous to find a book so full of heart and history as this one. Absolutely love it. First bought a copy for myself, and have now purchased more for loved ones. It’s a can’t-miss kind of book.

Fascinating story and very well written. Made me want to dance.

This is well-written book.

I loved THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS on many levels. Visually its photographs and illustrations are stunning and content-wise it's fascinating, educational, moving, and inspiring. I knew little about hula but have long felt intrigued by the form so I read eagerly.Eagerly, but not expecting so much to resonate or to connect so deeply. Both and raised in Ireland, I found many parallels between the Irish culture's resistance to erasure and the Hawai'ian culture's same passion and resilience. There are also many parallels in our creation myths and origin stories--from which so much of our beliefs, traditions, and values follow. It it heartening that both cultures are now experiencing an electric revival in their language, music, dance, food, customs, and right across the social fabric.I'll be digesting and talking up this wonderful book--a clear labor of love--for a long time to come.

I started reading this book and could not put it down. The narrative weaves together some local San Francisco history with Hawaiian history and cultural, and, of course, the past, present and future of hula dancing. Even if you purchase this book for the spectacular photography alone, you will be pleased with your purchase. But the story is as captivating as the imagery. This is also a wonderful book to give as a gift.

This book was a gift. I opened it and as I began to read, I was immediately brought into the waves and rhythm of a people who perhaps until now haven’t been completely celebrated, honored and known. The book is a pulse of heart and a flow of love. It is an experience. I am hesitant to use words as I feel it takes away from how my heart is touched as I consider this journey of the past and how it is presented and brought forward with such majesty and love. One could just savor the photos but that would be a loss as the words reveal the history of hula, of a spiritual people, and the creativity of Kumu Patrick. His creativity is awe-inspiring. I am in awe. This is a spiritual book, a history book, a political book, a personal journey, a collective journey, a psychological study and a book of evolution anchored in the heart. Mahalo nui loa!

Poetry, color, myth, humor, characters, choreography...The story of Hawaiian dance is revealed through the work of San Francisco's Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakāne in this stunning new book by Constance Hale. I knew nothing about hula when I bought this, and I couldn't put it down. The graphics make it easy to read bite-sized chunks about Hawaiian poetic texts, ancient hula, Hawaiian chant, dancing topless (!) and more while the photos are absolutely spectacular. This is the perfect gift for anyone interested in hula, Hawaii or dance.

In this big, gorgeous book, Constance Hale gives us not only something beautifully written (no surprise - she's the author of 2 best selling language usage books), but an exploration of hula that goes far beyond tourist stereotypes of women in grass skirts swiveling their hips. The featured hula master, Kumu Patrick Makuakane, is a living, breathing example of how the ancient art of hula continues to inspire new generations and be relevant in the modern world. The photographs are stunning! I loved this book and highly recommend it to everyone interested in intersections of art, culture, and performance.