Author Emel Kay will host a Book Signing of "KeAloha the Keeper" at E Hula Mau in Long Beach, California on September 3rd & 4th, from 11 AM to 4 PM.

August 18, 2005 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
Emel Kay of La Jolla tells us that her first book, "KeAloha - The Keeper" (an action/fantasy immersion into Hawaiian mythology) has been listed on international markets. Besides being available in America on Amazon and at other major on-line bookstores, it has just been listed in England, France, Canada and even Japan! And on September 3rd & 4th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Emel Kay will host a book signing of "KeAloha - The Keeper" at E Hula Mau in Long Beach, California. All proceeds from these book signings will benefit Na Mamo - The Young Hawaiians of California. Emel tells us that her motivation for creating "KeAloha - The Keeper" was to spread knowledge and understanding of the Hawaiian people - the only American race at the brink of extinction. (Sociologists predict that in the year 2044, full-blooded Hawaiians will be extinct.) Through fun and exciting, interactive displays of their history, beliefs and social customs, Emel (a native Hawaiian) teaches her readers what it means to be Hawaiian, and how to live like a Hawaiian - in hopes that knowledge of this "all but lost" American culture will spark the interest of fellow Americans. Currently, Hawaiian history is not discussed at all, from kindergarten through 7th grade in the mainland, public school system - and in 8th grade history books, it is only allotted a mere two-paragraph description of Queen Liliuokalani's overthrow. Emel believes that because of this disinterest in the Hawaiian culture, Hawaiians tend to do poorly in public schools and in the workplace, a trend she hopes to change. Other book signings hosted by Emel Kay this year will benefit La Jolla Elementary School, the Boys and Girls Club of San Diego, the Jonathan Tarr Foundation, and Na Mamo (The Young Hawaiians of California).

E Hula Mau is Southern California's only Hula and Chant competition, staged annually every Labor Day weekend since 1995 by Na Mamo - The Young Hawaiians of California. E Hula Mau's goal is to blend honored traditions with innovative ideas, and to present for everyone from participating halau (dance groups) to special friends and guests, a wonderful experience from the Hawaiian people. E Hula Mau is three days (September 3rd - 5th) of hula, mele (song), arts, crafts, food, and fellowship. It is held in the Terrance Theater of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California. Participating halau come from all over the mainland United States. However, E Hula Mau is not only a competition. It has cultural workshops to share the Hawaiian heritage. It also has associated events such as the E Hula Mau Kanikapila Jam, featuring live entertainment, hula shows, `ono foods, local snacks (crackseeds), and beautiful arts and crafts. And to top off the weekend, the Mahalo Bash is held Sunday night after the competition, always featuring the best in contemporary Hawaiian entertainment.

Na Mamo - The Young Hawaiians of California is a non-profit organization (based in Southern California) whose mission is to perpetuate the "`Ohana Spirit" through social interaction and education.

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About the Author: Emel Kay is a native Hawaiian who was schooled in Germany, Hawaii and San Diego. A successful virtual reality software engineer and an accomplished hula dancer, she lives in La Jolla, California with her husband and their two children. Firmly believing that children are the light of our future, Ms. Kay actively supports local children's charities and Hawaiian-based educational scholarship programs.

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KeALOHA - The KEEPER by Emel Kay
Lulu Press | Paperback Original | 365 pages | April 1, 2005 | $19.95 | 1-4116-2675-3