I believe that if I can make a strong commitment in following the guidelines in the book,' The 16 Secrets of Chi' I will improve my health and quality of life to a much greater extent. This is because after practicing Chi Kung for the past four months; thanks to the enthusiastic and tireless instruction of Master Bond, his senior students, Terry Hasegawa and other team members; I have been feeling more energetic without most of my old joint pains. This book contains all the information we need to enhance our health. The instruction is easy to follow because the illustration is clearly written and supplemented by photos.

I am profoundly impressed by the philosophy explained in this book, that good health can only be achieved by practicing proper chi kung exercise, eating the right foods, and maintaining sound mental health. I especially enjoyed reading about the life story of Master Bond up to his arrival at Hawaii. At each practice session, I enjoy the last 5-minute vertical breathing and meditation exercise because through it we generate and store the essential chi or oxygen we need for the day. The philosophy expressed by the instructors help us to live a peaceful life. For exemple, Master Bond tells us to "be happy, no worry". Terry tells us to "empty all our negative thoughts and anger and fill our hearts with positive thoughts."

As soon as I wake up everyday, I look forward to practicing Chi Kung in Kapiolani Park with a bunch of nice people. The book is an excellent source of reference for good health. I therefore strongly recommend this book for everybody. Have a great life and Aloha!

Chi Kung is a very beneficial form of exercise for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. It teaches proper breathing techniques, increases strength, and improves balance and flexibility.

Master Bond encourages everyone to do his or her best, moving only the pain-free range of motion. He explains the purpose of each exercise movement and how it promotes a healthy lifestyle. In his book, "The First 16 Secrets of Chi", Master Bond includes an extensive list of ailments and conditions, which exercises will be optimal for their healing, easy to follow instructions on how to perform them, and detailed illustrations of those exercises. During practice sessions he provides modifications for those who are incapable of performing the exercises that are being demonstrated.

Not only are there physical benefits to Chi Kung, but there are mental and emotional benefits as well. It helps to calm and focus your mind, it enhances your sense of well being, and the social atmosphere helps to develop close friendships. Even though classes may be as large as 100 participants, each person can still get personal attention and assistance.

I feel that Chi Kung has had such a positive effect on my life, that I can honestly say that I will continue practicing it for the rest of my life.

Being a writer myself, I probably tend to look at the books I read with more of an analytical eye than the average reader. I was quite impressed with Chi Kung Master, Luk Chun Bond's The First 16 Secrets Of Chi, Feng Shui for the Human Body, so much so that I would give it a 5 star rating. It contains a wealth of information and even includes a diet chapter, yet it is neither boring nor technical. The personal information on Master Bond is quite fascinating and his instructions on how the exercises are done are exceptionally clear and well illustrated as they are shown in the sitting position as well as standing so that even handicapped individuals can learn the exercises. It is well organized and even indexes specific ailments, telling which exercises target them.

Sam Choy's book is one of my favorite cookbooks. The recipes are so simple and always have great results.

This is not a diet book, but it is great for the evenings you have company over and want to WOW them with a minimal amount of work. The Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms with Mango Bearnaise Sauce is worth the price of the book. A close second is the Ahi Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing (translation: seared ahi on a salad of radishes, cabbage, sprouts, and green onions tossed with a spicy peanut, cilantro dressing - it's killer). The Macadamia Crusted Mahimahi with Coconut Cream Spinach Sauce is so easy and will really impress the in-laws.

Other dishes regularly made at our house include: Seared Albacore Tuna with Coconut Ginger Sauce, Roasted Chicken with Macadamia Nut Stuffing, both of his recipes for BBQ pork ribs, and Sesame Ginger Snap Peas.

I really can't say enough about what a great and easy cookbook this is. Every recipe I have tried from it is a "make againer". The next recipe I have flagged to try is something he calls My Kids' Favorite Seafood Lasagne. It has scallops, shrimp, mahimahi, and salmon smothered with great sounding white sauce and lots of cheese and pasta - is your mouth watering yet?

Sam Choy's Island Flavors is a wonderful book for people who enjoy the unique taste of food in Hawaii but aren't lucky enough to live in Hawaii and enjoy it every day! Sam Choy's recipes are simple and easy to make. They don't require you to be a master chef to try out the recipes. This cookbook includes recipes for all types of foodlovers (vegetarians, chicken-lovers, seafood lovers and meat-lovers) and takes you from appetizers all the way down to recipes for tropical drinks. Some of Sam Choy's recipes also include substitutions since a lot of us aren't lucky to be living in Hawaii and have some ingredients so readily available to us. My favorite recipes include: Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms, Quick and Easy Shoyu Chicken, Local Boy Beef Stew, and my very favorite Macadmia Nut Pie! This is a wonderful cookbook. Made me very homesick for my old hometown of Waipahu, Hawaii!

All of Sam Choy's books are good, but this one has a special place in my kitchen, because it covers the gamut of dishes. Unlike his seafood and Poke books, Sam provides some of the finest "home cooking" recipes of the islands.

Well done!

After graduation from the Naval Academy, Champlin (Academy nickname "Micky") served in two ships, the battleship TEXAS and the oil tanker BRA- ZOS. The transfer to BRAZOS came upon the information of Champlin's intention to resign. With eyes not the best and a love for the law, Champ resigned and began the study of law.
And so, he completed law school, obtaining the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence, and got a job in a big law office. There was one problem. His starting pay was $100.00 per month and living expenses $105.00 per month. -
Then he learned the FBI paid the magnificent wage of $275.00 per month. He applied, was investigated and accepted.. Knowing the San Francisco Bay area intimately, he was sent to Baltimore, Maryland. At least it was a seaport and his work was substantial- ly with ships and the sea. It couldn't last. With that Reserve commission on the books, came a sudden
change.
In July 1941 he was ordered to active duty as Aide to the Commandant of the Sixteenth Naval District at Cavite Navy Yard, Manila, Philippine Islands.
In an unusual twist of fate, Micky, who opted for a civilian law career after a year or so of sea duty, found himself in the very thickest of fighting in WW II long before most of his classmates who remained in the service had come near their baptism of fire.
After a few moQths at Cavite Navy Yard came De- cember 10, 1941 and the total destruction of the Navy Yard by massive Japanese bombing virtually unopposed. There were over 500 killed in the first 40 minutes. Then burning of all petroleum products tn Manila on Christmas Day 1941. Then Bataan, the motor torpedo boats, Corregidor, the submarine operations, etc. etc. Most important was the total abandonment of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor.

Then came orders to Australia in the submarine USS PERMIT and 37 hours of depth charge attacks enroute.

The Navy Cross (destruction of oil in Manila! after departure of all u.s. forces-it burned 3-1/2 days) and the Army Silver Star (reconnaissance at and be- hind enemy lines while attached as Aide to General Wainwright) were awarded to Champlin. This part of Champlin's life is covered in "Corregidor the End of the line" by Eric Morris and "Hero of Bataan,. Gen- eral Jonathan Wainwright" by Duane Schultz.

After the war, Champ returned to the practice of law in Oakland, Catifornia. His outstanding record of 20 years before the bench resulted in his being appointed by Governor Reagan to the Municipal Court, Oakland-Piedmont Judicial District, September 21, 1967. On November 3, 1970, he was then elected by the people, without opposition, to that office. In 1974 Judge Champlin was unanimously elected by his fellow judges, and served, as Presiding Judge of that Court. On November 2, 1976, he was again elected by the people, without opposition, to the office of Judge of the Municipal Court.
After more than 20 years in the practice of law in Oakland and 13 years on the bench, Judge Champlin retired September 30, 1980.

"Champ" died in 1998, a few months after his book was finally published. He called it "His last battle to be won!"

One of the best, authentic to the core, great writing, characters, you're really "there"...FABULOUS! Sidenote: Kudos to the smart Hawaiian publisher that brought this book out, I can't believe some "major" NY publisher missed this book...and what a terrific mass market paperback this was born to be. What idiots!

Fabulously written, authentic to the core, really first-class novel!

I picked this book up on a whim on a trip to Hawaii, and it turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read. This is not a dusty collection of myths put together by an academic. Instead, it's a wonderful, vibrant and unique novel, full of memorable characters and amazing images. Maui is a great trickster hero, and you will alternately cringe and cheer at his antics. This novel deals with adventure, love, evil, magic, divinity, and more -- all of which are resolved in very unexpected ways. (One caveat: some of Maui's adventures are incredibly sensual -- this is not a children's book!)

The author does an amazing job of pulling together myths from all over Polynesia and creating his own novelist's vision of a flawed hero's adventures and how he comes to be called a "demigod." It's the Hawaiian "Odyssey" or "Iliad," made very accessible, entertaining, and compelling.

If you want to understand Hawaiian culture -- if you like novels with magic and fantasy -- if you're looking for a ripping good yarn -- pick up your own copy of "Maui the Demigod."

I used this book when I began weaving lauhala. Descriptions are accurate, illustrations profuse. Begins with a weaving process that is good for someone working alone. Moves from simple basket weaving to advanced topics, fans. Every weaver I know, here on the island of Hawaii, has a copy in their library.