AUTHOR H. L. WEGLEY RETURNS

AUTHOR H. L. WEGLEY RETURNS
Saturday, July 5, 2014 by Patti Shene

Featured Book: Moon Over Maalaea Bay

Author: H. L. Wegley

Publisher: Harbourlight Books, Pelican Book Group

Genre: Thriller with Romance

Series: Book 3 Pure Genius Series

Target Audience: Teens through adults of all ages

IT IS A DELIGHT TO WELCOME AUTHOR H. L. WEGLEY BACK TO PATTI’S PORCH. THE THRID BOOK IN THE PURE GENIUS SERIES IS SET IN MAUI. TODAY, H. L. SHARES SOME FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE POLYNESIAN PEOPLE .

H. L. IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY OF WINNER’S CHOICE OF ONE OF THE THREE BOOKS IN HIS PURE GENIUS SERIES. CHECK BELOW TO SEE HOW TO ENTER TO WIN.

The Aloha People

When my wife and I retired and spent 6 weeks in Maui to wind down from stressful jobs, I became interested in the Polynesian people, their history, and culture. After reading several books and observing the people firsthand, I’m providing my nutshell description of the breathtaking history of this special group of people.

First, a principal: Regardless what modern anthropologists say—anthropologists whose findings are often tainted by inadequate theories of human sociology, psychology, and evolution—cultures grow darker the more the knowledge of God is removed from them. “Pristine” cultures are not always beautiful. Some are horrifying. If you don't believe me, read Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story by Mark Andrew Ritchie, a real eye-opener.

According to Daniel Kikawa, in his well-researched book, Perpetuated in Righteousness, the Polynesian people migrated eastward from the Middle East, the cradle of civilization, eventually reaching the Pacific. They became great navigators and, a little before 400 AD, using the stars they made a miraculous journey in small boats, hitting a minute target in the middle of the Pacific, the Hawaiian Islands. They brought with them much of the Old Testament, in story form, including stories of the flood, Joseph, Moses, and much more. In fact, their word, Aloha, derives directly from this retained knowledge of God. “Alo” means Divine Son of God in their high priestly language. “Ha” means spirit of life. So, to say aloha is literally to say, “May the spirit of the one true God go with you.” Aloha is much like “shalom” used by the Jewish people.

For nearly 1000 years, the “spirit of aloha” and the stories of God they preserved, characterized the culture of this South Pacific paradise. But around 1300 AD, Pa’ao, a pagan priest, arrived from Tahiti and began to rule with force and fear, introducing evils such as gruesome methods of human sacrifice and perverting God by characterizing Him as a violent god of war. The priests of this religion controlled the people, demanding from them what the religious leaders needed to live in wealth and luxury, enslaving the people and forcing them to fight in their armies to conquer more territory. But the stories of God were hidden in the hearts of a few people who refused to forget them.

Eight hundred years later, in the early 1800s, several things happened that prepared the islands for a return to God. King Kamehameha unified the islands, freeing them from the former system of rule, kapu. The people openly defied the laws of the kapu system.

A new priest began quoting an old prophecy announcing the imminent coming of the Prince of Peace who was supposed to arrive on a ship of white sails and give them back the knowledge of the God of peace. He would come by way of a small black box. At that very time, the first missionaries were onboard a ship on their way to the Hawaiian Islands. When the ship landed, the first thing the missionaries brought to the people was a black Bible box.

The Hawaiian people’s hearts had been prepared for this event and the gospel spread in a huge revival beginning in 1837 and lasting more than 20 years. By 1860, the island population was 90% Christian, and it had the highest literacy rate in the world because people wanted to read and study the scriptures.

I choose to end the story on this high note, because the last 40 years of the 19th century was a sad time in Hawaiian history. I pray that the people of the Islands will return to their historical beliefs in the one true God, that they will be made whole again, and that their many wounds will be healed.

LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A COPY OF YOUR CHOICE OF ANY BOOK IN THE PURE GENIUS SERIES BETWEEN NOW AND FRIDAY, JULY 18TH AT MIDNIGHT MST. DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT EMAIL SO YOU CAN BE NOTIFIED IF YOU WIN!

H. L. Wegley served in the USAF as an Intelligence Analyst and a Weather Officer. In civilian life, he was a weather forecaster and a research scientist in atmospheric physics. After earning an MS in Computer Science, he developed computing systems for Boeing before retiring in the Seattle area, where he and his wife of 47 years enjoy small-group ministry, grandchildren, hiking Olympic Peninsula beaches, snorkeling Maui whenever they can, and where he writes inspirational thrillers and romantic-suspense novels.

Connect with H. L. and his work on the web:

Comments

Elaine Stock From NY At 7/14/2014 11:25:24 AM

I'm intrigued by the whole series, but especially MOON OVER MAALEA BAY. Maybe I just need a good escape to a faraway land! estock(at)fairpoint(dot)net

Harry Wegley From Washington At 7/8/2014 4:36:45 PM

Tanya, Daniel Kikawa wrote at least two books on the history of the Hawaiian people. I bought them at the last remaining Christian book store on Maui. But they're on Amazon too. The most useful was Perpetuated in Righteousness: http://amzn.to/1xOqNiB

Patti Shene From Colorado At 7/8/2014 3:25:31 PM

Thank you for stopping by, Tanya. I'm glad you are able to use the fascinating information Harry provided.in his post

Tanya Hanson From California At 7/8/2014 1:01:06 PM

Best wishes on the great-sounding book, Harry. I also am researching the Hawaiian culture and indeed my Christmas story is set in Oahu. Much of what you wrote today is new to me so I am excited to catch up and learn more. Thanks!

Patti Shene From Colorado At 7/7/2014 4:03:40 PM

Thanks for stopping by, Janet. Glad you enjoyed the book.

Janet K. Brown From Wichita Falls, TX At 7/7/2014 1:59:18 PM

I have read this book & recommend it. I left my review on Amazon. Good, Pat for getting out the word

Patti Shene From Colorado At 7/6/2014 4:23:50 PM

thank you for dropping by, Travis. I agree Harry's books are well written. I had a hard time getting through Hide & Seek when his characters were running around in those caves! I love heights, but not a fan of being underground!

Harry Wegley From Washington At 7/6/2014 4:07:45 PM

Thanks for the kind words, Travis! By the way, who would you like to picture yourself as in the next story, the guy the sharks get or the one who falls out of the peak-to-peak gondola in Whistler? I could create a really vivid picture for you. :) Just kidding.

travis ruska From Washington At 7/6/2014 11:29:59 AM

I love Harry's writings. He is one of the most creative writers on the scene today. He makes it easy to picture yourself as one of the characters in his books Ahhhhh what an imagination :-) Keep up the good work Harry and may the Lord continue to bless you.

Harry Wegley From Washington At 7/6/2014 11:04:37 AM

Marcia and Ellen, Thanks for stopping by. With only 3 novels out, I'm a new author to a lot of people. With help from people like Pat, maybe that will change. Moon over Maalaea Bay was a blast to write! I hope the readers get half as much enjoyment from the story as I did from the research trip. :)

Patti Shene From Colorado At 7/6/2014 10:47:17 AM

Thank you for stopping by, Marcia & Ellen. I have read the first of the Pure Genius series and have the second in progress. Love Henry's writing style.