Hula

A Novel

By: Jasmin Iolani Hakes

Narrated by: Mapuana Makia

Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award Winner • Named a Best Book of the Summer by Harper's Bazaar and ELLE

“Stunning…an intricately built novel that spans decades, moving in and out of a collective voice, while also telling Hi’i’s deeply personal and devastating story of trying to find her way.” –Los Angeles Times

“A full-throated chant for Hawai'i. . . . It’s impossible to come away unchanged.” —KAWAI STRONG WASHBURN, author of the PEN/Hemingway award-winning Sharks in the Times of Saviors

Set in Hilo, Hawai’i, a sweeping saga of tradition, culture, family, history, and connection that unfolds through the lives of three generations of women—a tale of mothers and daughters, dance and destiny.

“There’s no running away on an island. Soon enough, you end up where you started.”

Hi'i is proud to be a Naupaka, a family renowned for its contributions to hula and her hometown of Hilo, Hawaii, but there’s a lot she doesn’t understand. She’s never met her legendary grandmother and her mother has never revealed the identity of her father. Worse, unspoken divides within her tight-knit community have started to grow, creating fractures whose origins are somehow entangled with her own family history.

In hula, Hi'i sees a chance to live up to her name and solidify her place within her family legacy. But in order to win the next Miss Aloha Hula competition, she will have to turn her back on everything she had ever been taught, and maybe even lose the very thing she was fighting for.

Told in part in the collective voice of a community fighting for its survival, Hula is a spellbinding debut that offers a rare glimpse into a forgotten kingdom that still exists in the heart of its people.

©2023 Jasmin Iolani Hakes (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

10 STARS

This is what a book should be.
I found the actual writing and many turn of phrases such as - possible paraphrase;
“she snuck into the room of my head and re-arranged the furniture”
almost life changing. That may sound silly, but it so perfectly describes how someone can have so much influence that you begin doubt your own reality.
The narration is spot-on.
At times I had to re-wind as I became a bit confused, although part of this was due to my lack of familiarity with the Hawaiian words.
I don’t usually like multi generational, female, familiar relationship sagas; but placed in the context of Hawaiian history and cultural atrocities, they represent the effects of that history.
My niece has a PhD re the financial colonization of Latin America, and I believe she will find this book extremely well done. Her mother, my sister, nurtured and encouraged her daughter’s education and world views exactly from books like this.
This would have been one of the best credits I ever spent, oh wait, it was the daily special I think. What a treat.
In summary, I am very impressed with this book, and very much look forward to her next creation.
Note: when the book ended, I immediately started it all over again. Just sayin ☺️

Rich and complex novel with beautiful writing.

Wonderful novel with complex characters that provides valuable insight into Hawaiian history and culture from a Hawaiian perspective.

Beautiful Hawaiian culture explained.

Listening to the beautifully pronounced Hawaiian language and understanding the importance of multi-generational customs was a joy interwoven into a rich storyline.

Interesting

I was really into the story For the most of the book— until the end. The ending was complicated and I am not sure I understood historically and emotionally what indeed occurred. I would recommend the book because it is a historical study that as far as I know has not had a strong light shone on it. I love Hawaii and I am sorry for the injustices done to that country.

Beautiful story telling

It was a bit confusing at first whose point of view the story was being told through at points but overall not hard at all to figure out like other reviews have mentioned. I personally found the way the historical bits were weaved in to be fascinating and informative while lending to the story. It is such a shame to see how much outside influences have truly destroyed a people. The ending did feel a bit too open ended in terms of how abrupt and vague it was but it also seems like a story that has no end. As the story spans many generations with many problems bleeding in from the last generation, it would be easy to argue that the ending was left that way to show that it’s not over. Overall it was a great story and had me in tears!

Thought-full historical fiction

For those who appreciate family histories rooted to the land with their eyes looking into the stars.

Clear-eyed passionate love letter to Hawai’i

As the story unfurls across three generations of Hawaiian women, it leaves the reader agape at the injustice perpetuated against this island nation - but worst is how blood lineage requirements eats at families, communities and the idea of who belongs or not despite sharing the same passion and love for Hawaiian heritage and culture. I came away with new knowledge and a desire to learn more about Hawai’i no matter my Nordic roots. I loved how the story wove in the voices of the larger community, adding to the rich tapestry of the narrative. Above all I felt bound to the women whose fierceness and stubbornness both amused and exasperated me. It’s a great book. Very different and worthwhile.

A beautiful adventure

I loved this story. It is difficult at times to feel the pains of human life with each character, but that’s the way it is. The way the author weaves everything together is masterful.

Finally!!

We need more books that shows the conflicts and struggles of the Hawaiian people. This is a great insight into the historical events that have plagued Kanaka. Though this book is fiction, the historical date and events are fact. The author illustrates how difficult this issues are to tackle as a People. She does a great job of showcasing differing viewpoints on how to protect and perpetuate Hawaiian culture, land, and people. We must remember the end goal is always the same and to stand tall and proud as one Lāhui. IMUA!!

Authentic portrayal of the struggle native Hawaiians face

I loved the authenticity of the story. Only someone from Hawaii could tell the story truthfully. The narrator was excellent too. I felt the “titah” in her words. It was a beautiful portrayal of a special place.