Sam Tabalno

Biography

Pineapple Sam is the character that embodies the life and stories of Sam Tabalno, who grew up on the shores of the Hawaiian Islands and later ventured outward in the world to embark on many fascinating adventures. Pineapple Sam loved to “talk story” as they say on the islands and decided to write his stories. Now many of his friends, family, and readers like you, can share in his adventures.

Smashwords Interview

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up on a remote but paradise island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. Gazing over the blue ocean I always had a curiosity and inkling to discover what adventures laid beyond the horizon.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing my adventure stories in the fall of 2011.
Read more of this interview.

Where to buy in print

Videos

Secrets behind Pineapple Sam Short Stories Intro
Introduction to Pineapple Sam Short Stories in Video

Books

Vacationing in a Van by the Beach on Kauai - How to Make Any Car, Truck, or Van Your Happy and Healthy Vacation Home
You set the price! Words: 8,160. Language: English. Published: July 21, 2014 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » Camping & RVing, Nonfiction » Travel » Budget
Did you know every year thousands of visitors flock to our Garden Island of Kauai for their Hawaiian vacation? Vacationing in a van down by the beach can be a great way to spend your vacation. It sounds like the start of a good movie but adventure is something that most of us could use more of in our lives. This can be the way to do something new, refreshing, and exciting.
The 10 Keys to Happiness - Simple Ways to Be Happy and Enjoy Your Life Regardless of Circumstances
You set the price! Words: 10,140. Language: English. Published: July 15, 2014 . Categories: Nonfiction » Self-improvement » Confidence & self-esteem, Nonfiction » Health, wellbeing, & medicine » Mental health
Have you ever seen someone who lives in a small house and has an older car? They may not be rich in terms of material things, but they are beyond rich in their happiness. Happiness is the underlying foundation that influences the quality of life. This guide gives a quick, simple and helpful scenario to realizing a process in becoming a happier person.
The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam --Vol 1--Growing Up on the Garden Island of Kauai
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam Volume I, Book 1. Price: $12.00 USD. Words: 132,060. Language: English. Published: May 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Anthology, Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author
Are you in the mood for something quirky, out of the ordinary, and extremely entertaining? Look no further than The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam. Part memoir, part collection of tall tales, and completely entertaining, it has something for everyone.
Killing Peace II
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 8. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 21,970. Language: English. Published: July 3, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » War
(5.00 from 1 review)
Set amidst the Vietnam War, "Killing Peace II" is more than a story. It is a narrative of bravery and defeat; of tragedy and nostalgia, and of everything else that comes in between. The protagonist, brought to life by the character of Pineapple Sam, drives the reader to explore his own narrative through his witty and humorous take on some of the most important events in his life.
Kauai Hitchhikers Exploring the US
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 5. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 21,540. Language: English. Published: December 9, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Tourists and honeymooners flock to Hawaii by the thousands each year. Pineapple Sam wants to travel in the other direction and find out for himself what adventures lie beyond the coast of his paradise home in Hawaii. Following his dreams, he heads for the U.S. mainland. Sam makes countless friends along the way of his eye-opening, cross-country journey, but he also learns many hard lessons.
Going to the Mainland
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 4. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 12,410. Language: English. Published: September 21, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(5.00 from 1 review)
In Going to the Mainland, Sam is in his last year of high school on the magical, tropical isle of Kauai. In an effort to find out more about himself, Pineapple Sam heads for a trip around the US mainland visiting old friends and making new ones.
Local Boy and Tourist
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 2. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 11,480. Language: American English. Published: June 7, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(4.00 from 2 reviews)
Hijinks and young love are almost more than Pineapple Sam can handle. This book takes you on a teenager’s journey of playing pranks, hiding trouble from your dad, and the nervousness that comes with falling in love.
Killing Peace
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 7. Price: Free! Words: 14,480. Language: English. Published: March 1, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » War
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Pineapple Sam has left the laidback days of surf and sand in Hawaii for the war riddled jungle of Vietnam. Delve into this nightmare from the perspective of Sam’s heart-wrenching firsthand account.
Hawaiian Pineapple Jarhead
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 6. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 10,560. Language: English. Published: February 1, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » War
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
Instead of the beautiful beaches of Hawaii, Pineapple Sam finds himself among screaming drill sergeants and swamp-like conditions. View through the eyes of a young recruit not quite sure how he ended up enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. This raw story gives readers the true insight into how a young eighteen year old transforms from hippie to hardcore Marine.
Pineapple Picking Cowboy
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 3. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 10,230. Language: English. Published: January 24, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Pineapple Sam does it again in his latest short novelette set in Paradise on his home turf of the magical island of Kauai. He recounts tales of a long hot summer working in the pineapple fields, night spear fishing with his friends and enjoying the cool, exciting nights as only fearless, exuberant teenagers can. Travel down memory lane as he relates the many “firsts” of that memorable summer.
Garden of Sugar and Pineapples
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 14,880. Language: English. Published: January 6, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Asian American, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family
(4.60 from 5 reviews)
This story takes you, the reader, through the humble beginnings of the author’s family to the miracle of his almost tragic birth. Let this story inspire you with the courage of a family seeking a new life while giving you a good laugh as you are taken back to your own hijinks as a kid.
Friday the 13th Wedding
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 9. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 9,920. Language: English. Published: December 27, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Family, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Drama
(4.75 from 4 reviews)
A father’s trip to his youngest daughter’s wedding turns into more than he bargained for. Filled with recollections of war days and family days, this story will hit home for any dad.
Hijacked Luxury Limo
Series: The Life and Adventures of Pineapple Sam, Book 10. Price: $1.00 USD. Words: 10,190. Language: English. Published: December 24, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Biographical, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
(4.75 from 4 reviews)
Sam’s day starts out as yet another business trip stuck in a hotel. This seemingly normal night turns into a wild ride. This story proves that the world can change in a moment.

Sam Tabalno's tag cloud

avocados    babe ruth    baseball card    bb card show    beach bikini    berkeley barb    boston    chicago baseball card shows    chicago bulls    chicago limo    confidence    coral    da nang    dads daughter    enjoy your life    filipino    friday the 13th    guava    haight ashbury    happy advice    hawaii    hawaii wedding    hawaiian    hawaiian beaches    hawaiian ghost    hawaiian islands    hawaiian names    hawaiian romance    hells angels    hertz rental    hijacked limo    hippie    hippies of the sixties    hitchhikers    hula dancers    ismael tabalno    kahuna    kajukenbo    kauai    kauai beaches    kauai high    kauai high school    kauai local    kauai surf    kauai surfing    kauai tourist    kauai vacation    koloa    koloa elementary school    koloa kauai    koloa kauai hawaii    lava rocks    limousine    mangoes    marijuana    marine jarhead    maui honeymoon    mickey mantle    napalm    new york    ohana    parris island sc    pidgin english    pineapple    pineapple sam    plantation house    poipu beach    russian    s vietnam veteran    san francisco    ship wreck    south vietnam haight ashbury parris island south carolina kajukenbo    south vietnam war    sugar cane    sunset wedding    the 10 keys to happiness    ukraine    us marines    us marines parris island sc    usmc fiction    usmc recruits    vacation adventure    vacation in hawaii    vc gook    vietnam    vietnam 1969    vietnam combat veteran    vietnam ptsd    vietnam war memoir   

Sam Tabalno's favorite authors on Smashwords

Smashwords book reviews by Sam Tabalno

  • Closing the Gap on May 16, 2012

    I read your sample and found similarities and could not stop reading so I purchased your book. I am glad I did. Even though I knew back of my mind most of the process mentioned in the book, I felt this was a great book to quickly refresh my memory. I am retired and have my last teenager graduating soon and found the book very helpful to smooth out the bumps in our relationship. I recommend this book as a valuable resource to all parents with teenagers. Thank you