Keoni's Dream

In this coming-of-age tale, a Hawaiian farm boy whose father has died sets out to explore the meaning of a disturbing dream and plunges into an adventurous encounter with the past, present and future of his ancient culture. Keoni s unsettling dream comes to life as he stumbles upon an army of bulldozers razing his beloved forest to build a luxury development. Drifting between dreams and reality, Keoni resolves to seek the wisdom of his ancestors, revered in the Hawaiian cultural tradition. As his quest progresses, Keoni plunges into a luminous lava cave inhabited by ancient spirits; surfaces at sea, and comes to rest at a sacred Hawaiian monument where great tribal leaders have sought refuge in the past. In a spiritual awakening, Keoni learns to listen to his heart and trust the timeless values of his culture. The future of his people and of all creatures, he realizes, ultimately depends upon how well they safeguard their rich forests and farmland. Keoni s Dream is an engaging vehicle for teaching children the power of positive values, as well as the richness of the native cultures being lost to development worldwide. The Hawaiian principles Keoni draws upon in his journey, such as forgiveness, honesty, harmony and unconditional love, are set forth in vivid language, and in original art by renowned Big Island artist Calley O Neill. To create this powerful allegory on overcoming childhood fears, author Jack Kelly draws upon decades of experience developing educational and recreational programs for children, farming on the Big Island and leading Hawaiian conservation and preservation efforts.