SHAKA AND SHALOM

About the Book

This book continues to trace the beneficial crosscurrent’s that Jewish people brought to Hawaii since their arrival beginning in 1850 to the present. Such benefits were first chronicled in a prior book titled Torah & Taro. Unburdened by any need to proselytize or be in charge, Jews were free to be themselves and to provide their host community with needed services. Their faith's essence found in the Sh'ma (God is one) and the Decalogue and their historical experience as the ‘other’ in their countries of residence provided appropriate guidance. In some detail and in historical and cultural perspective Shaka and Shalom describes the many good deeds, advantages, and programs that people of Jewish heritage have brought to Hawaii. And how Hawaii in its spirit of Aloha accepted, encouraged, nurtured, and recognized such benefits.

About the Author

When not dancing and talking with tourists, fellow citizens of Hawaii, family, and friends, octogenarian Mathew R. Sgan spends time writing, reading, and learning. Shaka and Shalom will be his fifth book since coming to Hawaii with his beloved wife, Mabel 'Gin' Lum Sgan in fulfillment of a promise to her that, upon her retirement from college teaching, they would move to Hawaii to be near her family. Arriving In Hawaii in 2000, Mathew set up a business called Non Profit Fundraising Services. He and his business were privileged and fortunate to be selected to lead the team that raised the funds needed to rebuild the Visitor Center shoreside of the iconic USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Eventually, some 54 million public/private dollars was raised for that purpose. Finally, Mathew had a third act for the story of his life.