Bess Press: Marshall Island Legends and Stories

Review by Wanda Adams The Honolulu Advertiser May 1 2003

Bess Press has released Marshall Island Legends and Stories collected and edited by Daniel A. Kelin II which included 50 legends and stories recorded from storytellers throughout the Marshall Islands. Its an introduction to a culture that has sent us many new residents in recent years and has received new attention as a result of Honolulu writer Robert Barclays well-regarded first novel Melal set in the Marshalls. Kelin is director of drama education for Honolulu Theatre for Youth but spends summers working with young actors in the Marshall Islands. With the aid of a Rockefeller Foundation grant he developed a play for HTY based on Marshallese tales. Nashton T. Nashon of Majuro in the Marshall Islands illustrated the book with drawings and tattoo designs.

Review by Giff Johnson The Marshall Islands Journal May 9 2003

Readers are going to be delighted with the new Marshall Islands Legends and Stories a collection of some 50 tales from 18 Marshallese storytellers that has been edited into book form by playwright and drama teacher Daniel Kelin II. This collection is expansive with stories about demons Letao L¢ Beibat the foolish squid Leli Inedrel and the white bird and many more. And there are surprises. A good example is the story of Tobolar told by Nitwa Jeik. He started the telling by saying Do you know the story of Tobolar? Well that ones wrong. This is how the story goes... and then proceeded to tell me quite a different version of the story than will be found in other books or told by nearly anyone else Kelin writes in the introduction. The book features each of the 18 storytellers with a brief biography on them and photos of most. Iroij Mike Kabua provided a brief introduction to the book that is published by Bess Press and now available through Amazon.com. A nice feature of the stories is that in the margins pronunciation and translations of key Marshallese names and words in the text are provided making life easy for the reader. A feature of the Letao stories is the oftused ending or some variant Letao is now in America. Thats why the people are so smart. This ending always causes gales of laughter among Marshallese listeners. It seems to have evolved as a simple and humorous way of dealing with the perceived awesome power of the United States. By claiming that Letao moved from the Marshall Islands to the United States the Marshallese take credit for all that power and also justify the supportive/destructive nature of the USs relationship with the islands. The book includes stories from Ailuks Lene Langbol and Koju Alfred Wotjes Tonke Aisea and Bolden Elbon Maloelaps Hecekeia Jibba Jeljel Jerbal Kiat Benjamin Josapeth Amram McKay Langmouir and Jackning Jajon Arnos Lakilmej Line and Milis Mejin Jitiam and Rose Johnson. From the Ralik Chain its Ujaes Nitwa Jeik and Jorju Arre Jaluits Neilem Baneb and Namdriks Jia Hisaiah and Iban Edwin. Lots of demons captured in Dans new story book.

Review by Burl Burlingame Honolulu Star-Bulletin May 4 2003

Marshall Islands Legends and Stories collected by Daniel A. Kelin illustrated by Nashton T. Nashon. Drama educator Kelin has a weakness for a good story that is well-told and he collected these from the Marshalls. Many have never been published. Includes a glossary and pronunciation guide.

Review by James A. Cox The Bookwatch June 1 2003

Compiled and edited by Daniel A. Kelin II Director of Drama Education with the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and enhanced with black-and-white illustrations by Nashton T. Nahson Marshall Islands Legends And Stories is an entertaining and richly presented collection of oral folklore featuring 50 stories recorded from 18 storytellers on 8 Marshall islands and atolls. Magic mischief quarrels heroism traditional Marshallese customs and culture and much more fill this most engaging read which enhanced with profiles of storytellers a glossary and a pronunciation guide. Also available in a hardcover edition Marshall Islands Legends And Stories is a valued contribution to Pacific Island Folklore & Mythology reference collections and reading lists.