In his first book, "Under Maui Skies and Other Stories", Wayne Moniz wrote seven tales of his Maui home. In this new book, "Beyond the Reef: Stories of Maui in the World", the prize-winning author introduces eight new narratives. Like all his previous works, the Maui native has based these stories on the people, events, and issues of Hawai`i, with the aim of preserving its rich past. This time some mo`olelo occur beyond the Valley Isle. The new settings - the Big Island, O`ahu, California, and even Europe - are all, nevertheless, anchored in the writer's birthplace. As in his former anthology - 2010 Readers' Choice Book of the year by the Hawai`i Book Publishers Association - each yarn is of a different genre: ghost story, comedy, crime, a Western, and this time, includes several new types: a tragedy, an inspirational story, a coming-of-age tale, and a sports reminiscence. Here's what critics said about his last book, "Under Maui Skies and Other Stories": "The Storyteller, writer Wayne Moniz, brings Maui's past to life." Maui Time "Under Maui Skies is one of the most engaging works of fiction to come out of Hawai`in a long time." The San Francisco Chronicle Here's what they're already saying about "Beyond the Reef: Stories of Maui in the World": "Let 'Beyond the Reef' carry you away into a treasure of stories from the talented pen of Wayne Moniz." Kumu Keli`i Tau`a, PhD "What the world needs now is love... here are some stories of how to live aloha." Alaka`i Paleka, The Morning goddess, KPOA Radio "Dip your feet into Wayne's warm world of cultural tidal pools and sweet aloha. You'll want to stay awhile." Keola Beamer, singer, author, composer, slack key master Born and raised on Maui, Wayne Moniz has taught writing on all levels, the "Dean of Maui Playwrights", by the Maui News. In 2005, he received the Cades Award for Literature, Hawaii's most prestigious writing prize for his body of work that includes thirteen plays, numerous short stories, screenplays, poetry, and lyrics.
About the Author: Born and raised on Maui, Wayne Moniz graduated in English and Communications from the University of Dayton, Ohio and received an M.A. in Theater Arts/Film from UCLA. Dubbed the "Dean of Maui Playwrights" by the Maui News, Wayne has written thirteen plays including, among others: "Still Born: Na Mele o Kaho`olawe" (the struggle to return the island back to its people), "Children of the Turning Tide" (the Hawaiian monarchy as teens), "Steamer Days" (a romantic romp through a 1938 Honolulu Boat Day with Shirley Temple, Duke Kahanamoku, and other celebrities of the period), "Tandy!" (the life of Hawaii's greatest opera singer), and "Only the Morning Star Knows" (King Kalakaua delves into the life of Kamehameha the Great). Wayne was named "Maui Teacher of the Year" in 2005. That same year, the author received, for his body of work, The Cades Award for Literature - Hawaii's most prestigious writing prize. In 2010, the writer of "Beyond the Reef: Stories of Maui in the World" received the Po`okela Award - Readers' Choice Book of the Year - for his previous book, "Under Maui Skies and Other Stories". "In all my plays, stories, poems, and lyrics," Moniz claims, "I try to express my love of the land and people of Hawai`i, especially Maui, to preserve the memory of a time that is slipping away, and to encourage action to protect Hawaii's unique land and culture."