Kahana – The Untold Stories is a dramatic coming of age story penned by author Ann Kennedy, and based on true life events. The basis of the tale comes from the incredible life story of war hero and Hollywood stuntman Kim Kahana, whose start in life as a child and young adult was filled with turmoil and pain. We travel with Kim from Hawaii and its cultural teachings when the events of World War Two push him into a whole new life he never expected. From harrowing false accusations, struggles to survive and all-out war later in life, Kim Kahana maintains an inspirational strength that comes through on every page.

It’s clear from the start that author Ann Kennedy is incredibly inspired by the life events of Kim Kahana and the sensei-like teachings he imparted later in life based on those experiences. Kennedy puts passion into every page of her work, illustrating each scene beautifully to give the full context and physical experience of what Kim could have been feeling at the time. The narrative and fictionalized nature of the piece suits the intended YA audience very well, bringing the circumstances to life with emotive writing and sharp dialogue that highlights the harsh nature of growing up in the post-war period. The central messages of courage and determination, will-power and self-belief, no matter what, are perfect inspirations to take from a truly incredible tale, and overall I’d definitely recommend Kahana – The Untold Stories for all teen readers seeking real-life heroes.

Kahana - The Untold Stories: Based on True Events by Ann Kennedy is the story of the legendary stuntman Kim Kahana who literally rose from the ashes and grew up to have his own stunt school, production company, and many black belts in multiple styles of martial arts. His story begins as he tries to live as an ordinary youth in Hawaii. Kahana is of American/Japanese descent, making him the odd one out right from the beginning. His life was pretty peaceful until World War II happened and his life went down a hill that never seemed to end. However, that didn’t stop him; he knew that he had to stand on his own two feet and make something out of his life. And there began his journey of self-discovery, learning, and understanding that as long as he landed on his two feet, he could do it all.

Kahana is written in the style of a biography which makes the message of the story sit very firmly right in your heart. You can connect with Kim Kahana, experience his pain, struggle and his determination to make something bigger and better of his life. I knew of Kahana as the stuntman who broke more than 60 bones in his body during his career as a stuntman and after reading this novel, I have a newfound appreciation for all the hard work he put into his career. His story is incredibly inspirational and encouraging. I enjoyed reading how hard-headed and overconfident he had to become to make a name for himself in Hollywood and have the people who laughed at him say his name with pride. I enjoyed reading this book so much that I wish it was longer. Simply inspirational and amazing.

Excerpt from US REVIEW- Recommended by Jonah Meyer
Kennedy has written an intensely entertaining biography of a kid who once harvested the fields in his native Hawaii and goes on to become a successful actor, stuntman, and film martial-artist. Her colorful stories of Kahana create an action-packed page-turner. Older children, teens, and adults alike will find this to be an original read, full of heroism, true grit, and love interests, all while the protagonist never forgets his pre-WWII Hawaiian-village roots.

Comments by Theresa L Zaino Theatrical Talent Agent
From his childhood in Hawaii during the time of Pearl Harbor to be coming a Living Legend as a Hollywood Stuntman, this is an extraordinary story of how one man's journey exceeds more than any one person could accomplish in three lifetimes.

Review by Angela Kennedy
Kahana is tale that sets across the big American skies and follows the adventures of a young boy who runs away and works a variety of exciting jobs that culminate in a life as a Hollywood stuntman. Along his way to success, he has plenty of adventures set primarily during a more nostalgic time beginning at the World Word II era. It is certainly a coming of age story about a determined and persistent young orphan of his own circumstance. This book is driven by a series of essay-like string of adventures that teach self-reliance and pursing your own dreams in an age where the actualization of personal hopes is based on a fortunate accident of situations rather than today’s forced requirements often attached to an ivy league education, nepotism or obligatory social media presence.
Kahana is a personalized story about grabbing the American dream by its throat, in the most unconventional methods imagined. Kahana, a child martial artist, does not become a stuntman/fire dancing daredevil from just measured training or from strategic Hollywood polite politics. His gritty life is fueled by chance and his own audacity to overcome danger with few complaints.
This story in its simplicity, does not shy away from the Euro-centric attitudes that were still very common during the Post-World War II era regarding Hawaiian/Japanese Americans. Kahana shows an authentic grit of the Great Generation that the churning wheel of humanity is kept in motion not by a lot of self-examination but rather by deed alone.
Kahana becomes a war hero after surviving one of the most horrific “life and death” war scenarios imaged. Kahana is impressive, as he worked with the greatest Hollywood cowboys and fire-dancers in the world. Kahana’s is a quiet legend who through his own fury and reckless precision carve out an amazing existence that few any can ever imagine beyond their own dreams while tucked away in the safety of their own bed. The most understated theme is hope and possibility. Kahana never shared his fears within his own story, because he was too busy fighting against all odds. Maybe we all could do less talking and more doing.

Comments by Danny T. Zaino- Actor, TV/Radio Host/Fight Choreographer
A must read for the entertainment buff who loves the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Here are some more of our reviews. Some of the reviews or comments are excerpts if Review/Comments are over 5,000 words.
1. STEVE CAVERNO-Kim Kahana is a man of action. He never accepted his circumstances. He changed them. The book opens in 1941 shortly before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The opening chapters explore native Hawaiian culture and the history before Hawaii was a US state. Kim’s simple life of ritual and martial arts was interrupted by military occupation and curfews. Still, he formed bonds with the soldiers and was inspired by their tales from the mainland. In 1945, after the end of World War II, Kim snuck on board a cruise ship and embarked for a new adventure in California.
The book is a collection of fast paced episodes, each focusing on a formative experience in Kahana’s life. The kindness and cruelty of strangers plays a hand in Kahana’s most pivotal life choices. Through some of his many journeys, this boy quickly becomes a man under the better or worse influence of road-hungry bilkers, smooth-talking criminals and inspirational latin artists. Although Kahana often runs from his Island beginnings, the past keeps bringing him back to the spiritual calm and discipline excellence of his ancestry.
As a young adult, Kahana is artist of many trades breathing fire and gusto in his pursuits. He rises up the ranks and quickly becomes a stuntman action hero. His early adventures in overcoming adversity offscreen made his on-camera bravery look authentically that much easier. Kahana doesn’t ask that you like him, as the man himself, this story asks only for respect.
I was truly moved by Kim Kahana’s inspiring story of achievement against all odds. This tale is for anyone who feels that they’ve been dealt a bad hand in life. Kim Kahana would not give up. There are valuable lessons to be learned from his attitude and determination. It was fascinating how his life followed history from the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to his harrowing experiences during the Korean War to his work on many blockbuster Hollywood films. He ran away from Hawaii to find a better life and overcame every kind of struggle. You won’t find pages of endless introspection. Pain that is so deep often is never spoken, much less healed.