Eddie Wen Go: The Story of the Upside-Down Canoe
In one of the most tragic, yet inspirational, moments in recent Hawaiian history, Eddie Aikau paddled away from the overturned Hokule'a in search of help. Hawai'i residents know the story of how the voyaging canoe capsized in March 1978, just six hours into its second open-ocean voyage to Tahiti, and how the crew hung onto the hull in stormy seas all night long.One of those clinging to the hull "like an opihi" was Marion Lyman-Mersereau. Now a middle school social studies teacher at Punahou School, author Lyman-Mersereau has created a way for the younger generation to understand the poignant story.Eddie Wen' Go: The Story of the Upside-Down Canoeis an imaginative look at what happened on that fateful journey through the eyes of marine creatures. We meet a curious young whale named Kaleo, his wise Tutuwahine, a "tita" dolphin Lele, a friendly old shark named Mr. Mano, a joyful 'Iwa, and other characters of the O'ahu waters.The text is full of Hawaiian words and phrases which are translated in a glossary at the back, along with footnotes on the wildlife. Lyman-Mersereau packs the story with tidbits about everything from whales stranded by sonar (Tutu: "my uncle was once confused after he heard some loud noises made by a ship in the ocean, and he felt dizzy and off balance and ended up dying on a beach.") to Hawaiian 'aumakua (Mano: "we know plenny of da 'ohana on top da canoe cuz we wuz 'aumakua to dem and we jus' like hang aroun li'dat an make shuah evryting wuz okay.").Eddie Wen' Gois an important story, the heroic tale of one of Hawai'i's great watermen—who better to tell it than the creatures of the ocean? --Sky Barnhart, The Maui WeeklyEddie Wen' Go: The Story of the Upside-Down Canoegives [Eddie] Aikau's tale an inspired re-imagining. Hawai'i ocean creatures—dolphins, humpback whales, sea turtles, frigate birds and a gabby shark—not humans, recount the legend of the "upside-down canoe" and the fearless Aikau.It's a great kids' read—full of clever adventure, colorful characters and gorgeous watercolor artwork by Hawai'i artist Melissa DeSica. Lyman-Mersereau, who helped build the Hokule'a and was on the voyage with Aikau, wrings inspiration from the tragic day through her ocean characters and Aikau's heroism. --Derek Paiva, HAWAI'I MagazineThere are few real life local heroes as well known as Eddie Aikau. A legendary waterman whose name is synonymous with courage and sacrifice, his tale is both sad and uplifting the way many ocean tales are. In a beautiful picture book illustrated by Melissa Desica, author Marion Lyman-Mersereau captures this heroic story as no one else could.It's hard to say exactly what happened in the ocean and even more difficult to convey such a tragedy to a young audience but Marion Lyman-Mersereau's retelling using sea animals and Hawaiian words and phrases is both respectful and touching. --Misty-Lynn Sanico, Hawaii Book Blog