Gene Parola is a retired Cultural Historian 'married in' to a Hawaiian/Chinese family that has offered him insight into the rich history of both ethnic groups and the fateful decline of the Kanaka people.  In addition to the award winning, historical romance, "Lehua", he  has published two mystery novels and three collections of short stories--one wilh all tales set in the Middle East, where he once worked. He has plied four of the seven seas in sailboats, is a wood sculptor, a lecturer and a grandfather of three.  He lives in Honolulu with his author wife, Shirley Tong Parola.