Stuff we like

Brand New Tatoo (cd)

Hailing from Rapa Nui, Matato´a's fifth album Tatoo celebrates the ancient and the new. Matato´a, "the watching eye of the Pacific warrior," is an indigenous Rapa Nui all male five member band led by Kevamatato´a Atan, who formed the group in 1996. These warriors not only make great music, but seek to "promote the ancestral traditions (dances, costumes, body paintings) of the island" of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. Their 2004 Tupuna Productions release is a mix of love songs such as "Muri Ia Au," traditional Rapa Nui songs like "Manavai," and songs that describe cultural traditions including the "Haka Pei," a Polynesian sport. Matato´a's music, like Pacific Island tattooing, is a testimony to the survival of Pacific Island cultures. The cd includes a cool video clip of "Here Ma´ Ohi" with footage of the band and its magnificent island. www.matatoa.com, US$15

Another Side of Guam (guide)

The author of Caves and Karst of Guam, published by Bess Press, describes his field guide as "half science, half adventure." It is all fascinating. Danko Tabarosi spent three years exploring Guam and researching the book which includes maps, photos and geological descriptions of specific caves, cliffs, reefs, wells and karst, plus tips on caving on Guam, safety, conservation and sea kayaking. There is a comprehensive set of maps at the end of the book and its ring-bound format is perfect for stuffing in a backpack. It even answers the obvious question- what is a karst (features and terrain where some of the rock has been dissolved by water). www.besspress.com, US$9.95

No Nonsense News (web)

Clean, thorough, and to-the-point best describes Port Vila Presse Online. The site has very few frills and is meant for the serious news follower who does not want to be bothered by the usual tropical travel ads or pop-up distractions. Port Vila Presse is based in Port Vila, Vanuatu and the Web version can be viewed in English, French, and Bislama. While visiting the site, click on the astronomy picture of the day. www.news.vu/

Moloka´i Blues (book)

Gary Chang's Nowhere Near Moloka´i is not an easy read. His lyric poetry is rocky, slippery, and at times smooth like the Hawaiian landscape embedded in his words. Chang's poems, written in pidgin or Hawaii Creole English, Hawaiian, and standard English, are raw and strikingly beautiful in their honesty. A Honolulu native, Chang holds an MFA in poetry from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. University of Hawaii professor Frank Stewart refers to Chang's work as "the real stuff" and it is, leaving no room for romantic afterthoughts of Hawaii. Published in 2004 by Bear Star Press, poems include: "Kao:Face," "Under The Winter Moon," and "No Can Find Wahine." www.bearstarpress.com, US$12