Whet Your Wanderlust

The Sages of Topanga Canyon arrived at the beautiful Topanga Library on a dark and stormy night hoping to Whet their Wanderlust. I took them on a visual journey to destinations in my book Lost Angel Walkabout-One Traveler’s Tales.  As I shared highlights of a particular outdoor adventure, I touched lightly on environmental threats to a given region. Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness.” I expand that thought to include innocence. Even the most jaded individual will become aware of the threats of human intervention to pristine eco-systems through adventure travel.

Upon request, I shared Solutions for Solo Travelers and gave pointers on what to look for in an outfitter detailed in my article Not All Outfittersare Created Equal.

By all accounts everyone left with a new journey brewing.

       Mission accomplished!

Wai-nani Audio Book Coming Soon!!!!!!!!

Christine Padovan

I am thrilled to announce that my novel Wai-nani, A Voice from old Hawai’i, will soon be available in audio format.

 Christine Padovan a popular narrator with a warm, distinctive voice, who makes non-fiction works sound compelling and interesting, with range and versatility in bringing characters to life in the world of fiction has agreed to narrate my book. That this bright and beautiful young woman identifies with the athleticism, as well as the spiritualty of my heroine, makes my heart sing. I’m certain she will do a superlative job on this work in progress. 

Work in Progress

 

Christine was awarded 'Best Audiobook' for 2013 by Efestivalofwords.com for her narration of Toni Dwiggins' acclaimed thriller, 'Badwater: The Forensic Geology Series'.  Christine is an Audible Approved Producer and member of the Audio Publishers Association.

She specializes in Romance/Erotica, Mystery/Thriller, Bios/Memoirs and Sci-fi/Fantasy genres. You can learn more about her at

http://christinepadovan.com

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=pd_narr_1?searchNarrator=Christine+Padovan

Jammin' Hawaiian Style at the Slack-Key Fest

Kalyn Aolani and Sonny Lim

A haunting chant set the scene at the Redondo Beach Performing Center for a host of brilliant musicians, singers and dancers brought in from Hawaii and parts of the mainland for your pleasure. Each of the six slack-key guitarists on stage were exceptional in their own right, but together they put on a brilliant, high energy performance. 

Reading Wai-nani at Meet and Greet

I was honored to be a guest speaker at the meet and greet kick off the night before. At this casual gathering the artist are up close and personal.  It was intimidating to be sharing the microphone with greats that ranged from Cyril  Pahuinui, son of the legendary Gabby Puhuinui the father of modern slack-key guitar, to Jeff Peterson a young artist with classical training who brings a fresh cool breeze to the traditional slack-key riffs. Still, I stood tall and did a brief reading from Wai-nani-A Voice fromOld Hawai’i and prayed this audience of authentic Hawaiian performers would fine my rendering of the “People of Old” pleasing. From all accounts it was!

The doors open at 11:00 AM on the day of the festival so that visitors can enjoy the Aloha market place where artisans share their wares. Prized hand painted gourds of artist Aunty Kanoe

Aunty Kanoe of Punahele Arts

to Hawaiian kitch are there for the taking along with CD’s from all the players. Dancers on the lawn are a warm up for what takes place in the main performance.

Jerry Santos sang old Hawaiian favorites while Kamuela Kimokeo accompanied him with some amazing slack-key solos. Kimo West and Jeff Peterson did a soulful duet in the classical style. Kayln Aolani, a bright little bird whose voice is like liquid sunshine brought tears to my eyes. My heart was full to the brimming by the end of this day of warm aloha. If you can only make one Polynesian event this is the one you don’t want to miss!

Many thanks to Mitchell Chang, producer, musical & creative director for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful event presented by Kala Koa Entertainment. 

Warm Aloha for Wai-nani at Redondo Slack Key Fest

I am honored to be a guest speaker at the VIP Meet and Greet Reception to kick off the largest gathering of great slack key artists on the West Coast.  Thanks to James Kimo West,

 who will be playing with other masters on the main stage of the Redondo Beach Slack Key Fest, I was invited to share my book-

James Kimo West

Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawai'i who speaks directly to the reader from the spirit well. Inspired by the life of the precocious  Ka'humanu who rose to become the most powerful woman in old Hawai'i the story spans the most dynamic period of Hawaiian History from 1750-1819.

Comic, producer, writer, actor and master of ceremonies Kamaka Brown will perform his orginal Hawaiian pidgin English stories about growing up in Hawai'i accompanied by beautiful Ki ho'alu style instruments.

Ono food, good company and a festive atmosphere promises to be a great evening for all who attend.
Tickets for this event include front row seats for the 2:00 PM performance at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on Jan 19th. Purchase tickets at www.slackkeyfest.com

The Aloha Market Place filled with all things Hawaiian is open from 11:00 to 5:30 PM on the 19th is free to enter.

VIP Meet the Artists Reception is on Jan. 18th  from 5:30 to 8:30 at PS Zask Art Gallery
Promenade on the Peninsula, 550 Deep Valley Drive, Ste 151
Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

Holiday Gift for You

My gift to all my Friends. A little Holiday Aloha!

Free copy of Love Bird Cafe----A mini twisty turner set on Kauai that will keep you guessing.

Just go to Kindle and find your gift free until Dec. 25....Merry Christmas!

 

Love Bird Cafe        Click here for Your Gift

Kimo West shares Warm Christmas Aloha

Kimo in Hana

Christmas aloha filled the cozy Coffee Gallery last night. James Kimo West and friends spread good cheer with a range of tunes from a Here Comes the Sun makeover, to classic slack-key. Kimo held center stage with tender renditions of Hawaiian favorites. Taught by the legendary masters of slack-key, Kimo is carrying on the fine tradition of soulful guitar. Often slipping into a jazz-like riff he takes you on a lovely ride. Quoted has having a “soft, sweet, or gentle voice” his music is a fusion of old and new rooted deeply in tradition. When the violinist, Dave, and local boy guitarist Kapo Ku, joined in the place got jumping. A sensual hula dancer, along with a fine vocalist added to the brew.

Kimo sharing aloha at Coffee Gallery

Kimo is making several stops on the mainland this holiday season. You can find him in Santa Barbara, Redondo Beach at the annual Slack-key fest, and back at the Coffee Gallery where seating is limited and gets sold out early with another slack-key artist in January. You can get full details of upcoming venues on his website Jim Kimo West

If you can’t make it, his Christmas CD and other more classic renderings are available at most online distribution sites.

A Journey through the Hawaiian Islands Without leaving Home

Hula Kumu, Mikalani Young’s creative performance “Journey

through the Islands” transports viewers through visual media, storytelling, music and dance. Guests will leave with more insight of each island that will make them want to go back to the islands and visit these places that aren't spoken about on a bus tours and adventure tours.  Many stories are passed on through oral history and music.  She hopes to bring you to the Islands right here in California and that you leave with a deeper love and understanding of Hawai'i and the Hawaiian people.

Wai-nani and I will be greeting guests at Mikalani’s Ho’ike . Like Wai-nani in her progress throughout ancient Hawai’i, Mikalani shares places that aren’t in the guidebooks imparting the legends behind them.  The result is a dynamic and captivating performance that lifts you out of your seat in California and takes you to the Islands. No security check needed. Just go to WWW.MIKILANISKANIKAPILA.COM   and grab a ticket.   

 Can’t make it?  Let Wai-nani take you to hauntingly beautiful Old Hawai’i. Available on Amazon and my site Linda Ballou Author.com. If you purchase Wai-nani on my site you receive Wai-nani’s Wayfinder, a map of sacred sites on the Big Island, and I pay the freight anywhere in the U.S.

A hypnotic spell that takes us to ancient Hawaii

By 

Toby Neal (MAKAWAO, HI, US) -

This review is from: Wai-nani:High Chiefess of Hawaii-Her Epic Journey

Press in to really "get" this book. Wai-nani’ s story is told in a hypnotic, fairy-tale or high legend voice that took me a chapter or two to get into--but once I did, I was fascinated with the way Linda Ballou had taken us into the intimate and unknown world of the Hawaiian people through the eyes of an unforgettable heroine. Wai-nani is fierce, passionate, and deeply connected to the land and ocean--and to her complex and multi-faceted warrior husband. It reminded me how fully developed the civilization of the Hawaiian people was, and how large their population, before the fateful arrival of "Kapena Kuke" and his "floating heiau." 

Thanks for this journey to another time and a Hawaii seen through a princess of its people.

That Toby Neal author of the Lei Crime series set in Hawaiian Islands, who grew up on Kauai and presently resides in up-country Maui fell under Wai-nani’s spell, makes my heart sing. In my poetic rendering of the people of old I mimicked the rhythm of the meles and legends handed down through a centuries old oral tradition. Hula was a form of mediation to bring more mana,or spiritual power into your world. Inbreeding among royals kept the bloodline of the chiefs clean. The love affair between Kamehameha the Great and Ka’ahumanu,(the inspiration for the character of Wai-nani) rivaled that of Napoleon and Josephine. Kamehameha’s prophesied rise to power plays out like a Greek tragedy. The responsibility to impart this story of mythic proportion in a way that would engage western readers, while remaining true to the culture felt at times overwhelming. That Toby Neal, a woman who knows the history of the Islands, is deeply rooted in the culture, and is a fine writer herself, finds my effort worthy is extremely gratifying.

Photo by Mike Neal

Another dilemma I had when publishing this book was whether to use a pen name since my main writing credits are in the travel narrative genre.  In a blog conversation Toby echoes my sentiment that it feels like a deception that she doesn’t feel comfortable with. She attempts to place an umbrella of all things Hawaiian over her series of Lei Crime novels and her psychological suspense novel Unsound. As an adventure travel writer I have tried to include my historical novel in my travel identity as a book that takes you to a place you can’t get to any other way. Wai-nani speaks to you from the spirit well of pre-contact Hawai'i. Her story is a celebration of of the people of old and a window into a hauntingly beautiful place that no longer exists in its purity.

Around the World TV -Ecuador-Interview with Linda Ballou

I am thrilled to have my adventures in Ecuador spotlighted on Around the World TV.
In this interview I  share my adventures at Sacha Lodge, a jungle lodge nestled in the Ecuadorian Amazon basin that is a birders nirvana, but fun for anyone who enjoys exploring the natural world. I also share highlights of my horse trek in the Andes  with stays at Colonial Haciendas with Sally Vergette owner of Ride the Andes. The story opens in Quito the gateway to adventures in a  small country with big surprises in store . More details to come in my articles that will follow.

Saddle Up in Ecuador

Soon, I link up with Sally Vergette to ride in the Andes of Ecuador outside of Quito. I'm told the weather there is like springtime in England all year round.  Sally will collect me at a charming little inn called the Hotel Sierra Madre. For the next four days I will be in her capable hands.  We will ride from Colonial Hacienda to Colonial Hacienda on a tour that promises to take me through a patchwork of pasture lands in the shadows of snow-crowned volcanoes.

Evenings relaxing at graceful historic haciendas enjoying local wines and fine cuisine await the weary rider. I just had to ask Sally a few pointed questions before signing up. Click for my interview with Sally Vergette,, the owner of RidetheAndes, in my column on the National Association of Baby
Boomer Women site.

Quito, Ecuador