Tom Coffman

Catch a Wave Tom Coffman

CATCH A WAVE is a study of the early statehood politics of Hawaii. The legendary Governor John A. Burns is challenged by the brilliant upstart Thomas P. Gill in the Democratic primary. The influences of labor, business, war veterans, insiders and outsiders are revealed in the process. The campaign was an early exercise in fusing money and television. The renowned Democratic consultant Joseph Napolitan called CATCH A WAVE "required reading for anyone interested in politics and government in Hawaii." The book has sold 20,000 copies. The current printing is its sixth.