Review
WL Rating
Like Matt Warshaw and Drew Kampion, Stuart Coleman (the author of Eddie Would Go) is fast becoming one of today’s best chroniclers of surfing history, heritage and culture. In his latest book Fierce Heart: The Story of Makaha and the Soul of Hawaiian Surfing, Holmes puts his extensive research talents to work in order to pay homage to Makaha on O’ahu’s wild West Side. In order to capture the essence of Makaha, Coleman relies upon the rich histories of three Makaha legends: the Keaulana family, Rell Sun and Bruddah Iz. While all three subjects symbolize both the shared and unique parts of the Makaha spirit, it’s the Keaulana clan, and patriarch Buffalo in particular, that serves as the story’s soul. Throughout Coleman’s descriptions of Rell and Iz’s triumphs and tragic ends, Buffalo and the rest of the Keaulanas are there, providing warmth, guidance, support and, of course, food. Coleman’s attention to detail delivers extensive quotes and anecdotes from legendary watermen like Greg Noll, Melvin Pu’u, Ricky Grigg and Peter Cole. While parts of the stories and descriptions appear overly romanticized, Fierce Heart generally provides a deep and honest look at Hawaii, Hawaiians and surfing. This book is a great summer beach read, and for its historical significance, it’s a WL Essential. (July 2009)
Fierce Heart - Stuart H. Coleman
