Bishop Museum Hosts Launch for Latest PIDF Children’s Book October 20, 2018

To celebrate the launch of our latest children’s book “Maka the Tree Snail Discovers His Worth,” we partnered with the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum to engage with the public and teach the importance of our state’s unsung heroes: tree snails.

“Maka” is the seventh in our Kai and Friends series. It tells the story of Maka, a young tree snail, on his journey of humility and self-acceptance. As with the other books, it teaches the importance of inter-generational wisdom through a contemporary story.

In the case of “Maka,” the contemporary story is the case of the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death fungus that has impacted over 100,000 acres on Hawaiʻi Island and was discovered on Kauaʻi earlier this year. In the book, Maka and his friends ponder why other trees in the forest are dying while their tree remains healthy.

All three co-authors were present, including our president Jan Dill, his wife Judy Dill, and Gail Omoto, who gave three readings to children attending the launch and visiting the museum that day. Keiki and kupuna alike loved Gail’s animated presentations and activities!

Bishop Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of Pacific land snails, and staff set up tables outside the gift shop where families could learn more about Hawaiʻi’s tree snails. There were dozens of shells on display and take-home magnets and information.

“Maka” and the rest of our Kai and Friends book are on sale at Bishop Museum’s gift shop, and can also be purchased by contacting our main office in Honolulu at (808) 595-2752.