Are you looking for a great beach read or something to read on the plane ride to Hawaii? Keep scrolling to find the best Hawaiian-themed books worth reading.
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Do you love reading books about the places you visit?
A book is one of the best forms of escapism, don’t you think? a chance to be transported to another time, another part of the world, another culture, or just something out of this world.
You are reading: Fiction books about hawaii
There are many books that take place in Hawaii. after all, it is a fascinating and beautiful place.
You may be an avid reader of World War II or other historical magnitudes that have happened over the decades, or a hopeless romantic who just wants to enjoy love stories or coming-of-age literature.
there are books for all interests and genres based on hawaii.
Today I wanted to share with you some of the best books set in Hawaii that are worth reading.
They’ll take your mind off the daily grind and take you on an adventure through paradise!
Whether it’s WWII heroes fighting for their country or young lovers finding themselves in troubled times, there’s something for everyone here!
Keep scrolling to find my top picks for must-read Hawaiian novels.
books about hawaii frequently asked questions
17 incredible books set in Hawaii
honolulu – alan brennert
honolulu is the story of a young girl named jin. she leaves behind her native korea where she does not value women and goes in search of a new life. she imagines that she will marry a prosperous gentleman, but instead she marries a poor worker who takes it out on his new wife.
jin must find his way in a new world and the book documents his journey and the changing environment. This is a remarkable historical fiction story documenting some of the remote and beautiful parts of Hawaii.
moloka’i – alan brennert
Moloka’i, another fascinating book by Alan Brennert, follows Rachel’s story. Rachel grew up in 1890s Honolulu, however, at the age of 7, she is forcibly separated from her family upon discovering that she has leprosy.
In his exile, he finds family and friends and history documents his life. is a heartbreaking story that will give you all the feelings. plus, there’s a sequel: daughter of moloka’i which is also fascinating.
juniors – kauai hart hemmings
This is a true coming of age book based on the main character named Lea Lane. for most of his life, he has lived in the shadow of his mother’s spotlight. part Hawaiian and part mainland, he has felt estranged from him for most of his life.
but a new chapter sees her back at school, making friends, developing relationships and figuring things out in the tangled web that is life.
Follow her story with will’s new love interest and close friend whitney as she tries to fit into his world. It’s a real form of escapism if you were looking for books to read in Hawaii.
island of sweet cakes and soldiers – sara ackerman
This book is set in 1944, when fighting in the Pacific intensified. You follow the story of Violet Iverson and her daughter, Ella, as they try to navigate life one year after Ella’s husband, Ella’s father, disappears.
With rumors swirling about who her loyalties are, Violet confides in her friends in war-torn Hawaii. An enchanting story and one of the best mysteries set in Hawaii, this is a book you can really sink your teeth into.
the descendants – kaui hart hemmings
This book has been made into a movie starring George Clooney, but whether you’ve seen the movie or not, this book is one of the best novels set in Hawaii.
The book follows the main character, Matthew King. His ancestors who came to the islands were progressive and financially secure, one of whom married a Hawaiian princess, making Matthew King a royal descendant and one of the largest landowners on the island.
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However, his luck is changing. With daughters out of control and a wife in a coma, the King family isn’t perfect. you follow the family to come to terms with their tragedy and make big changes in their lives.
east wind, rain – caroline paul
niihau island is a beautiful and picturesque place. it is idyllic because on the island there are no telephones, electricity and other modern conveniences that we are used to today. the Hawaiians who live there are accustomed to a simple life.
the only thing they are used to is regular visits from the owner of the island, mr. robinson, who looks like a very eccentric gentleman. however, all this changed on December 7, 1941, when an unidentified plane crashed on the island.
Unknown to the islanders, the plane is a Japanese plane that was just involved in the legendary Pearl Harbor attacks. this is the story of the once peaceful island descending into the center of a captivating history.
this is another one of the great books that is based on hawaii and tells of a time in history that many of us are familiar with.
wild meat and bully burgers – lois-ann yamanaka
another great coming of age book where you follow the story and adventures of lovey nariyoshi. The Hawaii we might expect is one of pineapples and paradise, but Lovey’s Japanese-American family is on the brink of poverty.
lovey has a best friend who is central to her story, and the book follows her adventures and misgivings as she deals with schoolyard bullies, class warfare, and working on a macadamia nut farm as they try to discover your own identity.
based on thread on the big island, if you were looking for fiction books set in hawaii, this is one to consider.
hawaii: a novel – james a. michener
If you are looking for one of the best novels set in Hawaii, then you should consider this one created by James Michener. This book was originally published in 1959 and has captivated readers for decades.
As the volcanic Hawaiian Islands formed from the ocean thousands of years ago, remaining untouched until a thousand years ago, Polynesian seafarers made a voyage across the Pacific to these tropical island paradises.
In the early 19th century, American missionaries arrived, bringing with them a new lease on life. Hawaii is the story of people struggling to find their identities while trying to live in harmony.
from here to eternity – james jones
This is one of those books that will give you such a magnificent and in some cases brutal account of the life of a soldier. Set in Hawaii, it follows the story of Lee Prewitt in 1941. He is a welterweight champion and a good bugler.
first sergeant. milton warden knows how to be a soldier better than anyone. both the guardian and the prewitt are united by a common bond. the army is in his heart, it is in his blood and it is possibly his death.
This is a really important novel documenting post world war 2. It is described as a masterpiece that captures the honor of men. definitely a hard-hitting book but one you won’t regret if you’re interested in this type of genre.
dreams of my father – barack obama
While this book is not set solely in Hawaii, it is worth mentioning because of its deep roots from a former US President. barack obama wrote these memoirs when he was searching for some validation and finding his place as a black american.
It begins in new york, where barack obama learns of the death of his father in a car accident. he traces his father’s story to a small town in kansas, his mother’s story and migration to hawaii, and then to africa.
During the book, he explores and discovers a bitter truth about his father’s life, and reconciles his divided heritage. an interesting read, especially if you are interested in the man himself.
about a girl – lindsey kelk
finding a lighthearted book set in hawaii is easy when you think of a lindsey kelk girl. this is a story about tess brooks. Tess has always been a girl with a plan. But when the plan goes awry, she’s forced to reconsider her options.
after accidentally answering a phone call meant for her roommate, she decides that since tess’s life isn’t going to plan, she could try being vanessa instead. She jumps at the opportunity to become a photographer in Hawaii. What could go wrong?
aside from the fact that she is not a photographer. We follow her story as she deals with the beautiful journalist who tries to take things further, and as she feels far from home, will she confess her mistake or will she accept it?
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This is a great novel for the beach and will have you turning the pages trying to figure out what happens next.
freckled – two neal
Another great Hawaiian fiction novel is the story of Toby Neal. Toby was born in 1965 to surfer hippie parents who just want to ride the waves, use substances they shouldn’t, and generally hide from society.
Based on Kauai, you can follow Toby as the story is told as a first-person view of his life, what he has to face, and some of the changes he wants to make for himself.
Toby escapes his life through reading and imagination, while trying to deal with racial discrimination and uncaring upbringing. she has a vision of a “normal” life where she can achieve academically, but there is always this throwback to kauai and the island.
This is a fascinating story that will captivate you with the characters.
a song for the stars – ilima todd
This is inspired by a true story and shipped to the Hawaiian Islands way back in 1779.
As the second daughter of the royal chief, maile will be allowed to marry for love instead of needing an arranged marriage. her fiancé is the best sailor in hawaii and he taught her everything she knows.
but when sailors from a strange place called england arrive on the island, their misunderstanding ends in battle. This story follows doubts as Maile navigates new people and new lives.
this is paradise – kristiana kahakauwila
this is a story about modern hawaii with impressive force and precision. a story that explores the deep tensions between the local and the touristy, tradition, expectation and façade as some of the main characters try to find their authentic identity.
this is paradise offers an unforgettable depiction of life as it is on maui, oahu and the big island. Books set in Maui are hard to find, so this is a great account of this beautiful place along with some of the other better known islands in Hawaii. it’s a great read.
shark dialogues – kiana davenport
If you have an interest in Hawaiian Polynesian life, look no further than this fascinating tale of ancient myth and imagery. Shark Dialogues is truly an engaging read and will make you imagine what life was like so many years ago.
This is the story of daring and passionate women and men, through their losses and triumphs, their ups and downs.
The journey begins in the 19th century with a Yankee sailor and the runaway daughter of a Tahitian chief. Sweeping past to present, Kiana has captivated history brilliantly, and this book will leave you wanting more.
islands at the end of the world – austin aslan
This book is a bit different than some of the others mentioned. Based in Hawaii, it follows the journey of sixteen-year-old Leilani. She loves to surf and her home in Hilo on the Big Island is all she’s ever known.
leilani and her father often visit oahu, and during one of their visits disaster strikes. hawaii is cut off from the world. Leilani and her father must now embark on a mission across the islands to return home.
A captivating adventure from page one, this is great Hawaii-based fiction.
the girl in the center of the world – austin aslan
The sequel to Doomsday Islands, this story goes back to Leilani and her family as they learn to live without electronics and farm the land like their ancestors did.
She finds strength in her relatives, friends, and her strange connection to the emerald orchid, the force that caused the global devastation described in the previous book. this is an exciting follow-up book.
novels set in hawaii end
Hopefully, this has provided you with a comprehensive list of Hawaiian-themed books worth reading. From romance novels set in Hawaii to historical fiction, we’ve got you covered. these are great reads on the beach or something to do on the plane.
Whether you’re looking for stories about surfing and sunsets or tales that touch more deeply on Hawaiian culture with themes like family dynamics, eating habits, and spiritual practices, there’s something here for everyone!
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