Press Release
The Eye of the Lion, The Story of my First Hurricane is finally released in conjunction with the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane ʻIniki
It’s been twenty years since Hurricane Iniki visited the Island of Kauaʻi. The residents of Kauaʻi have had time to heal their wounds, rebuild their homes, businesses and their lives. But the children of Kauaʻi who experienced the storm will never forget. These children are now adults, many with children of their own. They learned valuable lessons about preparing for a storm, relying on family, and coming together as a community to rebuild.
Author Mark Jeffers believes that it is now time to release this powerful story that was inspired by the children who experienced Hurricane ʻIniki twenty years ago, so that their own children may benefit. The Eye of The Lion, The Story of My First Hurricane is now available for you and your family to experience.
Inspiration for ‘The Eye of the Lion’
After Hurricane ʻIniki passed over Kauaʻi, leaving a wake of destruction in its path, Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre wanted to know how the storm affected the children of Kauaʻi. So, he applied for funds available from the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund to hold a contest that would allow the children of Kauaʻi to share their hurricane stories. He believed that allowing the children to write their stories would be therapeutic and that their stories could potentially benefit other children that found themselves facing a hurricane or similar natural disaster. The winners also received a monetary prize, which would benefit their families at a time when most people were without work. The stories and images he received from the children of Kauaʻi became the inspiration for The Story of my First Hurricane. Jeffers then enlisted Stacey Kaopuiki of Maui to illustrate the story based on the images sent in by the children. The Eye of the Lion has since remained in the Storybook Theatre Vault until now.
Book Description:
Experience a hurricane through the eyes of a child. Master storyteller, Mark Jeffers of Storybook Theatre, recounts the story of Hurricane ‘Iniki as it passes over the island of Kauaʻi leaving a wake of destruction in its path. He shows how one Hawaiian family prepares for the hurricane and supports each other while the storm passes over their home.
Book Signing Dates:
Jeffers will be signing copies of The Eye of the Lion at the following locations:
- Saturday September 8th 12:00pm to 2:00 p.m. at Storybook Theatre of Hawaii Hanapepe
- Sunday September 9th 12:00 to 3:00 Sweet Marie’s Restaurant & Bakery in Lihue
- Tuesday September 11th 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm. Small Town Coffee in Kapa’a
- Thursday September 13th 3 – 6 p.m. Kauai Mini Golf in Kilauea
- Friday September 14th 4 – 6 p.m. Kukui Grove Center Stage
- Saturday September 29th 12:30 pm Kokee Natural History Museum Front Porch
The Eye of the Lion, The Story of my First Hurricane is now available at the following locations:
- Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe
- Kokeʻe Natural History Museum
- Sweet Marie’s Restaurant & Bakery
- Amazon.com
