Sunday, May 1, 2011

Weekly Winners plus Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month


Please read two other blogs posted today:

- Coming to SOS Aloha:
http://sosaloha.blogspot.com/2011/05/coming-to-sos-aloha-daily-schedule.html

- Silent Auction to benefit military families:
http://sosaloha.blogspot.com/2011/05/silent-auction-to-benefit-military.html

We have winners at SOS Aloha:

Saturday, April 23:  Tribute to Beverly Barton:
- Diana wins her choice of books.



Sunday, April 24:  Romance Conventions
- Johanna wins her choice of books from my RT stash.



Monday, April 25:  Margaret Tanner's SHATTERED DREAMS
-Pam is the winner.



Monday, April 25:  Deborah Cooke and DARKFIRE KISS
- Sue is the winner.



Tuesday, April 26:  Diana Cosby's HIS CAPTIVE
- Callie B. is the winner.



Wednesday, April 27:  Elizabeth Amber's BASTIAN
- Kati is the winner.



Thursday, April 28:  Pamela Clare's BREAKING POINT
- Artemis wins the New Orleans/Navy Seal gift pack.



Winners - please send your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Our nation is a winner when we celebrate diversity - May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.   From President Obama,

Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a profound impact on our society as leaders in all facets of American life, thriving as athletes and public servants, entrepreneurs and artists. Whether as small business owners or as proud members of the United States Armed Forces, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are helping to write the next chapter of the American story.


Indeed, Asian American romance authors are writing the next chapter of publishing history by drawing upon their heritage.  One such author is Jeannie Lin who I recently met at RT.   Jeannie was my guest in October 5 when we celebrated International World Teachers' Day.

In 2009, Jeannie won the RWA's Golden Heart for Historical Romance for BUTTERFLY SWORDS.   In 2010, Harlequin Historical published BUTTERFLY SWORDS and the novella THE TAMING OF MEI LIN, tantalizing readers with Chinese heroines in exotic locations.  We look forward to Jeannie's next full length book, THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL plus her novella LADY YAO'S SCANDALOUS NIGHTS in the fall.


Jeannie was also instrumental in organizing Romance Trading Cards.  To learn more about Jeannie, check out her website, including her blog, with a link to her recent guest appearance with Paperback Dolls.  Her post is timely for our May celebration, Once Upon A Time in China.

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month, I am giving away a signed copy of BUTTERFLY SWORDS plus Jeannie's Romance Trading Cards to one randomly selected commenter.   To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about Asian American and Pacific Islanders - have you visited any Pacific Rim state or country?   What's your favorite sight, sound, or smell?

Honolulu has a vibrant Chinatown which I toured when I first moved to Hawaii.  It is the only place to eat authentic Chinese food and buy authentic Chinese spices.  Residents of other Hawaiian islands fly to Oahu just to eat and shop in Chinatown.

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 7, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii


- Hawaiian historians agree that an Chinese farmer was the first to plant sugar on Lanai in 1802.  Sadly, his name was never recorded.  Sugar became Hawaii's cash crop in the 19th century, contributing to the kingdom's growth in the international market place.

- Chinaman's Hat is a volcanic island near Kaneohe Bay off Oahu.  It is so named for the head accessory that the Chinese immigrants wore in the cane fields.  Chinaman's Hat is a frequent scene in any Hollywood movie shot in Hawaii.


12 comments:

  1. Good morning! I consider California a Pacific Rim state ... it does have its own Asian and Pacific Islander influence!

    Sugar was a cash crop in the 19th century. It drove the politics of the islands, including the "Big 5" companies to support a hostile takeover to the country, leading to a republic, US territory, and US state.

    But once Hawaii became a territory, all residents became voters (something suppressed in the Kingdom and Republic). These workers voted in the Democrat party. Territory status also required fair compenstation. Thus sugar and pineapple were no longer cash crops as the other Asian countries emerged with cheaper products. So the "big five" became real estate developers.

    The island of Lanai - where it all began - was owned by the Dole Company to cultivate pineapple. Now it hosts exclusive resorts.

    Hawaiian history is fascinating.

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  2. Congrats to the winners!

    As I recall reading (or maybe someone told me), the first incidence of surfing in California took place in Santa Cruz. Considering how cold the water is there, I feel for the Hawaiian who did that (no wetsuits, I'm sure).

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  3. Aloha, Sheree! Thanks for the tidbit about California surfing!

    And thanks to E. for catching my error on today's post - I have corrected! I write these posts late a night ... with the option to correct in the morning!

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  4. I have never been outside the US but I would love to travel some especially some of the islands! Great post today!

    Thanks and congrats to other winners!!!!

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  5. Great Post as always my friend! Congratulations to all the winners.

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  6. Congrats to all the winners!! I was in Hawaii way back in the 70's and would love to go back one day and attend other Luau.

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  7. Congratulations Ladies enjoy the reads....

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  8. Congrats to fellow winners! Thanks Kim!

    I lived on Maui (Kula) when I was elementary school age. Our house was around the corner from a field of sugar cane. I may or may not have sneaked a stalk or two as a mischievous child(along with friends). I loved watching the Merry Monarch Festival every year and my dad still buys the DVDs each year since we now live on the Mainland.

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  9. Congratz to all the winners and thank you Kim for another week and month of excellent interviews looking forward to the next round !

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  10. I love how more Chinese historical romances by Asian American authors are emerging! As someone of Chinese descent, I love the familiarity of being able to recognize aspects of Chinese history, culture and even traditions that may be included in these romance books :)

    As for visiting any Pacific Rim states/countries, I do live on the west coast of Canada and we do have a fairly large Asian population in my city!

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  11. My sister and I visited Hawaii when our cousin was stationed at Kanehoe. It's so beautiful!!

    I've been to San Francisco and took a walking tour of Chinatown which included a lunch of dim sum. We also snacked on fresh baked fortune cookies.

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