Revolution Books

Revolution Books in Manoa is currently in a moving sale since they lost their lease at the current location. I’m curious on where their new location will be set up.
On Saturday night 10/​17/​2015 while in Manoa I was in search of an ASB ATM instead I noticed a sign saying «Moving Sale» for Revolution Books. I quickly made my way up to the second level where the establishment was located. I was greeted right away by an employee.
The lady employee directed me to a section where all the used books were going for 25 cents. I was browsing through the books and noticed some books that I have not read yet so I quickly grabbed them. I also noticed that there was a book from the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer as well as Laurell K Hamilton’s Anita Blake series.
I had asked the employee if the establishment accepts credit cards since I didn’t have any cash on hand.
«We do accept credit cards. Minimum purchase is $ 10.00,» was her reply.
I grabbed 5 books from the used section. I had asked the employee how much was my total so far. She informed me that it was $ 1.25 total. I then ended up grabbing 4 more books. All of them were at regular price. I ended up spending over $ 40 for the 9 books.
While the employee was jotting down the titles of the books on her log sheet she says «You must love to read.»
I said «Yes I do love to read. I’ve been in a reading mood lately and I’m running out of books to read.»
«Our used books is normally priced at $ 2.00 each. Since we are in the process of moving to a different location we lowered the price of used books to 25 cents,» says the employee.
Very interesting. Who knows I may go back to Revolution Books and browse around for other books that may capture my attention.
Outstanding friendly service from the employee who helped me with my transaction. I need to remember to bring a tote bag if I ever do decide to shop at Revolution Books for more books.

I had so many questions and the great staff at Revolution Books took the time to answer them for me. I had the opportunity to visit Oahu a few weeks ago and was filled with mixed emotions. While traveling to North Shore we passed many signs about keeping «the country, country» because of development that is happening on the Islands and are pushing people out. We passed so many homeless encampments in Waikiki and streets lined with hotels and run down apartments.
I needed to know why this was happening and I how I could be part of the solution and not the problem. Many of the issues that Polynesia is experiencing are not being discussed on the mainland and that is extremely disappointing. And the same issues they are experiencing are the same ones we are facing right here in Silicon Valley.
I’m thankful to everyone who runs Revolution Books and I hope that you will support this amazing community. Purchase from them, volunteer if you can, or get the word out about this wonderful institution that is fighting the good fight.

Revolution Bookstore is awesome. I love that they’re so radical and exercise the freedom of speech to its fullest extent.
They have an interesting selection of books — it’s anything but normal/​average. Most of them touch upon political and social issues.
I first found out about Revolution Bookstore during college to buy a book there for one of my English classes. I was in awe as soon as I stepped in.
I always end up wanting a copy of a book that’s specifically reserved for a class but they rarely carry extra copies of the book but they do offer to order it for me, if I really want a copy, which I think is cool of them.
They also have a section of books that are on sale for $ 1!
The staff is always so nice and helpful. I enjoy talking with them and sharing/​discussing our opinions and what not about a book that we both read and made an impact on us.
I always end up getting one of those buttons that’s protesting against something.
Revolution Bookstore is the place to go if you’re looking to expand your knowledge about issues that’s happening in the world today.

A unique bookstore in Honolulu. If you’re interested in books on communism, Marxism, social and gender issues, this is a great independent store for you. If you’re looking for the latest popular novel to grab, I would not recommend this place.
It’s a relatively small place inside with minimal parking out front. The parking becomes even less when the restaurant below opens.
Even with the stores eccentricities, and mostly on topics I’m not particularly interested in, I still found a few books of interest and I love supporting local businesses.

A breath of fresh air. A charming book store that packs in quite a selection. So much so that I found myself overwhelmed with what I should read next. The shop owner is rad and attentive… every one of her suggestions have been on point 100%. The books there range from fiction to many types of political non-​fiction. Many great classics and new cutting edge books. It’s a local business that is a true pleasure to support.

Love them! Much better quality and consciousness than the big stores. A historic hub of resistance and conscious organizing in Hawaii. The books are great, covering many genres and interesting, unexpected topics, and include several UH textbooks. There is a used book rack, too. They also sell T-​shirts and cool gifts, like a big map of the Pacific and an inflatable Earth beachball. Support them!

So the English Department at UH Manoa is smart and has Revolution Books stock all of their textbooks instead of the UH Bookstore. Great move seeing as the UH Bookstore has ludicrous prices and gets extremely crowded.
Revolution Books is great for grabbing any textbooks you can’t order online for cheaper because they stock all the books you need for your English classes, organize them on shelves according to your professor, and, on top of it all, give UH students (if I recall correctly) 10% off all their textbooks.
Yes, it is a Communist bookstore and some of the posters may cause you to raise your eyebrows. However, the staff is nothing but helpful and friendly. Don’t let their political views turn you off because they are willing to help, and aren’t pushy about their views.
It’s a ten minute walk from UH, which is convenient. As a UH student, I deeply prefer Revolution Books over the UH Bookstore, which is honestly a horrible place to shop and sell textbooks.

This place is eccentric. I’ve had to come here a couple times to pick up books for UH-​Manoa classes, and I always hold my breath till I leave, trying to appear calm. I’d rather buy counterculture books on Amazon from an anonymous supplier, than come here and have to face judgment.
Everyone who has gone to UHM has seen the lady holding the newsprint pages decrying our democracy and capitalism. She’s from RB, and when I see her, I desperately try to use the phone/​text a friend lifeline to avoid seeing her judge me – the consumerist, materialist, mainstream culture kid who is the opposite of what she’s trying to preach. I know we’re supposed to be challenged to think and all that in college, but I can’t be pushed to start a revolution when I have classes to pass and bills to pay. Free thinking is a luxury for people with extra time or money, or those who make it their life’s mission to convince others of what is wrong with the world.
I think the bookstore is for a niche market, and I’m sure there are valuable reads, but it’s not my cup of tea.

My favorite bookstore on Oahu. It’s run by true socially-​minded radicals, who have each done much for the community throughout the years. The bookstore itself is one of the major local hubs for left activism, and has a wonderful selection of theory (political, gender, social), novels and cheap used books (they’re all $ 2, except the smaller paperbacks are $ 1).
The oldest independent bookstore in Hawaii, and they’ve proved that they’re worth having around!
ps. There’s almost always parking available before 5pm. Look for the slots marked Revolution Books. After 5 the restaurant below (Imanas), which shares these slots, you may have to lurk a bit.

My two recent visits to Revolution Books have been great. In this digital age it refreshing to walk in to a REAL book store with REAL books and talk to REAL helpful and knowledgable people. All of the recommendations have been spot on. 5 stars for service, curated selection and ambiance.

They host a lot of great live events, they have a reasonably good selection of books for people who shop in bookstores called «Revolution Books,» and a decent selection of graphic novels too. Many of UH’s professors have started using them for book supplies – an inexpensive welcome change to the campus bookstore and its dependence on grossly overpriced textbooks and the greedy educational book industry that supplies them.

Three stars is still good, right? I love supporting little local bookstores over huge corporate chains, but there are times I’m hesitant to visit Revolution Books because I’m always roped into talking with the denizens rather than getting to quietly browse their (excellent) selection. It IS a bookstore, after all. I hate to do it, but I have to bump a few stars because every time I go in and there’s a new volunteer working, I’m given the same spiel about reading the manifesto and do I get the newsletters and am I attending the store’s lectures and events. I’m also sometimes forced to listen to their own political ideas and manifestos, and find my eyes glazing over and my mind wandering when I’m being «educated» about Marx by someone who has never heard of Gramsci.

i have not been to this place since december 2003 (i am not a hawaii native or resident), but seeing that this place has no reviews, i am compelled to give it one. i really hope it is still in business because it is a gem of a bookstore — not only for being non-​corporate, but for being staunchly anti-​corporate. it was very refreshing to find a bookstore dedicated to radical politics and social movements. i believe it also has a space for events (book talks, music). i remember the worker being super friendly and helpful.
i will also be forever indebted to this place for carrying and introducing me to the slingshot organizer, a radical organizer/​calendar/​planner/​thingy made by an anarchist collective in berkeley. among other things, it includes a recommended reading list, international contact list for lefty organizations, a menstrual calendar and instructions on what to do if you’re stopped by the police. i have been unable to live without one ever since.