Hula: A Novel | 
pick🌺 Last week I finished Hula by Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes. I started it on the way to Maui but had to take a break to read a book club book. Set mostly in Honolulu, it‘s the generational story of 3 women and their struggle with colonialism as it relates in different ways to identity. The more I read the more I liked it.
🌺🌺🌺🌺
📚 2/10 for #10BeforeTheEnd @ChaoticMissAdventures
💙 Photo taken in Lahaina in November
I‘m on vacation!
pickThe story of 3 generations of indigenous Hawai‘ian women, & the legacy of colonization, familial trauma, & secrets.
Such a powerful story. The real history of the overthrow of the Hawai‘ian govt & societal violence forced upon the indigenous population is masterfully woven w/ a story about coming to terms w/ legacy & future, while also paying homage to the beautiful tradition of hula dance. POV & phonetic accents takes getting used to.🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
pickI‘m glad I chose to listen to this book to start,as it includes native Hawaiian languages, and listening to it is beautiful. Emotional story across 3 generations of Hawaiian women.. their history, the community and culture, the history of the land, and so much more. I got a little tripped up when there was a change in POV or time period, but overall I really got into this book.
pickThis is perfect for AAPI history month. If you are not familiar with the Hawaiian language I would recommend the audiobook. I am so alternated between audio and physical. It is the story of 3 generations I loved how Hakes explains the history and trauma of Hawai'i and weaves it with Hi'i story. An excellent book to really understand the islands from a native perspective.
4.25⭐
#WeeklyForecast
Must finish Some Desperate Glory, it is due back this weekend. I am enjoying Dark Maestro and it comes out tomorrow! (Not doing great with arcs). I want to read a bunch of Patricia Highsmith this year so hitting up Deep Waters, still chipping away at Beautyland. Audiobook is Hula (tagged) for AAPI month.
pickHula, a spiritual, deep, emotional way of life. Not the touristy dance we all think of. What a wonderful novel focused on women, mothers, and family. This novel that spans years and generations gives you a glimpse into the true history, politics, and culture of Hawaii. The colonization, the crooked annexation and a way of life of a people fighting and struggling to keep what is theirs.
pickI loved this gorgeously written family story that considers the complexities of Hawaiian history/culture/identity and the significance of hula to all of that. Beautiful audio narration, too. (A note for the #CampLitsy23 crew: I didn‘t read any reviews/info about the author until finishing. Turns out that some of the social media dialogue around this book connects to themes we were discussing re: Yellowface in really interesting ways…)
so-soExtremely long in parts but does come together in the end but without a conclusive HEA, like in real life there isn't always an ending. Started as a book then quickly moved to audio + book due to the Hawaiian words throughout.
I really enjoyed this. A great story intertwined with some Hawaiian history I didn‘t know. The narration was well cast.
