Preface [excerpt] When I was young, my thoughts of Hawai’i centered around its touristic qualities: palm trees bending in a warm wind, white sand beaches kissed by the tranquil blue sea, hula dancers, plumeria leis, and beautiful sunsets. Hawai’i is truly what dreams are made of. I had visited the islands as a tourist many times and with each visit, leaving became more difficult. I took my interest in the landscape and the experience and carried it with me until I arrived at Monmouth University as an...