Mark Panek is a Hawaiian novelist and scholar. A professor of English at the University of Hawaiʻi, he is the author of two books on prominent Hawaiian-born sumo wrestlers Percy Kipapa and Akebono. His biography of Akebono, titled Gaijin Yokozuna, was called "the best sumo biography in English" by The Japan Times. Lo'ihi Press published his first novel, Hawai'i, a story of native rights, corruption, and a hotly contested race for Governor.
Panek is a graduate of Colby College and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He received the University of Hawaii Regents' Medal for Excellence in Teaching in 2008 and the Elliot Cades Award for Literature in 2013.
Bibliography
- Gaijin Yokozuna: A Biography of Chad Rowan (2006)
- Big Happiness: The Life and Death of a Modern Hawaiian Warrior (2011)
- Hawai'i: A Novel (2013)
References
- Schilling, Mark (March 11, 2012). "Dark side of sumo". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- University of Hawaii Press (2011). "Gaijin Yokozuna: A Biography of Chad Rowan". Hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- Schilling, Mark (November 19, 2006). "Akebono: Yokozuna to K-1". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- Lo'ihi Press (February 11, 2013). "Press Release – Hawai'i: a novel". LoihiPress.com. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- Tsai, Michael (August 20, 2006). "Gaijin connection". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- University of Hawaii (2013). "Regents' Medal for Excellence in Teaching". Hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2013-12-04.
- Tanigawa, Noe (May 14, 2013). "Hawai'i: The 21st Century Update by Mark Panek". Hawaii Public Radio. Retrieved 2013-12-04.