The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library will host an Author Night and book signing event featuring Alan Brennert, author of the bestselling historical novels “Moloka’i” and “Honolulu.”  His latest novel, chosen as one of the Best Books of 2009 by “The Washington  Post  Book  World,” grew out of the research he did for “Moloka’i.”

“One of the most colorful periods of modern Hawaiian history was the so-called ‘glamour days’ of the 1920s and 1930s,” Alan explains.  “These were the years when Hawai’i made its deepest impressions on the American consciousness: the years of the Matson liners, the China Clipper, Hollywood celebrities vacationing in Honolulu, and the Hawai’i Calls radio show that broadcasted popular hapa-haole music to the mainland. Yet at the same time this image of paradise was being presented to the American public, many Native Hawaiians and immigrants to Hawai’i labored on plantations for low wages or lived in poverty in Honolulu tenements. So my new novel is partly about this collision of image and reality…and how that reality was actually far richer and more captivating.”

“It’s also about the people from other countries and cultures who came to Hawai’i in search of a better life. Where ‘Moloka’i’ was principally about Native Hawaiians, ‘Honolulu’ is more about the immigrant experience in Hawai’i, and the origins of its unique multicultural society.”

In addition to novels, Brennert has written short stories, teleplays, screenplays, and the libretto of a stage musical, “Weird Romance,” with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Spencer. His work as a writer-producer for the television series “L.A. Law” earned him an Emmy award in 1991. He has been nominated for an Emmy on two other occasions, once for a Golden Globe Award, and (three times) for the Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Teleplay of the Year. He received a People’s Choice Award for “L. A. Law,” and his short story, “Ma Qui,” was honored with a Nebula Award in 1992.

Brennert has also developed screenplays for major studios, as well as miniseries, pilots, and television movies. Other television series to which he has contributed include “China Beach,” “Simon and Simon,” and the 1980s  revival  of  “The Twilight Zone.”

The free event, also featuring live Hawaiian music by Mitchell Chang, will be held in the Library Community Room at 1115 El Centro Street.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.  Refreshments will be provided by the Friends. Books will be available for purchase and no tickets or reservations are necessary.

Mitchell Chang, born and raised in Honolulu, is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i music program. Mitchell has been teaching guitar and ukulele since 1994 and is knowledgeable in improvisation and jazz techniques. His YouTube instructional videos receive high praise with over 1,200 subscribers and 370,000 views. He is also the producer of the Southern California Slack Key and Aloha Falsetto Festivals.