📚 Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes 📚

Thank you to harper via, libro fm and netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

Wow. This was a beautiful and heavy book. It tells the story of three generations of women interwoven with the history of Hawaii. Each one is the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter and each face a lot of pressures related to keeping the family home, and passing on cultural knowledge to the next generation. The relationships between them all are fraught with pain, misunderstanding, and passion.

I learned a lot about the taking of Hawaii by the US, and the issues around the land held in trust by the government for native Hawaiians. The issues around what makes a Hawaiian a Hawaiian were explored really well through the characters, and the colonial definition being done through blood quantam was examined and eviscerated. The different philosophies on activism in the community were also explored through the characters, with one wanting to work within the US government system and another character wanting to tear it all down. Then the personal stories of each character were heartbreaking as well, and I found myself alternating between yelling at the characters in my head to "just talk to each other!" and also understanding how such big rifts can come about in a family. I highly recommend this novel.

Hula is an multi-generational story that dives into mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional families, the history of a place and how it can make or break a community, and colonization and racism and the negative impact that has on native populations. The book is called Hula, but it's not really about the art of Hula, rather the themes of the art form are tied to larger themes throughout the book.

What I really liked about the book was: a) how the writing did an incredible job of setting the place. It was beautiful in its descriptions and honest in its portrayal of the big island of Hawai'i and beyond. We as readers really got an understanding of the anger, hurt, and betrayal of native Hawaiians as they tried to navigate and survive in a post-colonial Hawaii; b) the way the author used history to put this story into perspective, including the sacred practices woven in with the art of hula.

Why I rated this three stars: 1) I thought the book was simply trying to do too much. While I just said that I appreciated the author adding in so much Hawaiian history, she also added in so many other side stories that the book felt a bit chaotic and the overall impact of the book struggled to come through. I think, if she would have dedicated to write either a much longer book or pared down the storylines and wrote a much shorter book, the impact could have been there. And then 2) if you come from a dysfunctional family, there are some big triggers here (which was the case for me). A lot of the family drama, when it comes to a head, feels almost out of context because we don't get to know the characters in a way that makes the drama make complete sense. So, a lot of the lack of communication and lack of taking responsibility for their actions made me dislike the characters rather than sympathize.

Overall, a great book though that I think a lot of people will find interesting and hopefully will open their minds to learning more about Hawaiian history and culture. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for giving me advanced reader access in exchange for an honest review. Hula by Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes publishes May 2, 2023.

This deep dive into the culture of Hawaii explores the complicated history behind the current status of Hawaiian Islanders. It focuses on four generations of the Naupaka family--Ulu, Hulali, Laka, and Hi'i--and explores the connections and challenges that each generation faces in dealing with each other, the culture, and the ruling kingdom/government. Tying it all together is the role that hula plays, not just as something for tourists, but as a deeply ingrained tradition of storytelling, of the way it is used to pass on the Hawaiian culture. The book's language is unabashedly filled with the Hawaiian language and a lot of dialogue is in pidgin, again without apology or catering to mainstream conventions. The result is magic and sad and complex and really, really worth reading.

I enjoyed reading this book and learning about Hawaiian history and culture. Though I have never been to Hawaii, this book encourages me to travel there and absorb the true history of the island and not the commercialization most travelers experience. A truly interesting read.

Hula is richly packed with culture, and the history of Hawaii. It is a multigenerational saga from the point of view of three Naupaka women; Hulali, Laka and Hi’i. The dynamics of the relationships are both complicated and heartwarming at the same time. The history present in the novel was pretty dense and with the writing style made it difficult for me to really latch onto this novel and follow every word, but the storyline is truly beautiful.

It is definitely clear that Jasmin ʻIolani Hakes’ passion for Hawaii runs deep, her love and understanding for Hawaii bleeds into writing.

Thank you to NetGalley, and HarperVia Publishing for the advanced readers copy!

I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review, from netgalley.com. I was very impressed with this novel, although it has a slower pace especially at the beginning, it is well worth pushing through the slower areas to read this exemplary story focused on three generations of women in Hawaii. Set in the '50s through the '70s I believe, this story is also filled with interesting Hawaiian history, and the collective storytelling of the Hawaiian people, plus the tribe that each of our characters belongs to. It's a really fascinating way to tell this story.

I greatly recommend this novel, which is a debut. Hopefully the author will write many more novels and bring additional stories to life! I particularly enjoyed the way the mothers and daughters each grow up and have the same challenges communicating, almost as if they are stricken by the same exact generational divide. Excellent read! Well worth the time to visit this vanished world in Hilo, HI.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

A beautifully written story, with a really strong sense of narrator, setting and characters that really carried the story throughout. It's a beautiful look into the history and culture of a place that's often simplified.

Very well done!

This book was stunning, just in every way. It has so many layers, about what it means to be part of a family, a legacy, a culture and a place, and especially what it means to be Hawaiian. I learned so much about the history of Hawai'i and about Hula, and about Hawaiians in general, the island, the people, and the struggles they still face.

I also loved the "we" narration from the Hilo community, it made me feel as if I was there, living the story with Hulali, Laka, and Hi'i. It was a unique and fabulous narration choice for a story that spans multiple generations. I also like how much the islands themselves feel like a character in the story, and the magical realism elements. It brings the struggles of the people to life and I see Hawaii and the struggles of the people there in a different way. My only, very minor, complaint would be that I wish there was more to the ending. I so badly wanted to see the people of Hilo get the justice that they deserved, and to see the Naupaka family heal their wounds and find peace. Even so, I enjoyed the story very much and I cried in the last ten percent, more than once.

I think this is a story that everyone should truly read.

5/5 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and HarperVia for the ARC!

I felt this was beautifully written, and learning the erasure of the Hawaiian culture and people done by the US was so important and impactful because its unfortunately not something many people know. The story follows three generations of Hawaiian women and also goes into the history and importance of hula.

As I said before, it was beautifully written but at points, the imagery and narration were so descriptive to the point where I was lost. I felt like there were points where I just could not follow along and would almost lose the train of thought by the time I got through a section of the book. It also felt very slow in parts, causing me to take forever to read this book. I ended up rating this a 3.5 but rounded it up to a 4.

I think I would have enjoyed this more as an audiobook because it felt very story-like and with the pronunciation of the Hawaiian terms. I knew how to pronounce some of the words, but trying to make sure I read everything correctly made it take me longer to get through.

Hula is a dual story which intertwines into one. It’s a story about the history of Hawaii and one about three generations of Naupaka women, who, in many ways represent the modern history of Hawaii. I enjoyed the three strong female leads all with very different personalities who are drawn to the Hula for its connection to their culture and past.

The novel did feel slow at times but the story of each mother/daughter connection and with that the connection to the culture (including the Hula) and land added a layer of enjoyment for me. The historical lessons throughout on how the US slowly erased the native Hawaiians’ culture, language and their rights was one of the more interesting aspects for me as I read. But honestly the story of the women is what kept me drawn in throughout.

This was a three and a half star review which I am raising to a 4

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVia for the chance to review this novel

3.5 stars rounded up. I was immediately drawn to the descriptive and beautiful writing in this book that follows a Hawaiian family through many generations. If you watched the last season of White Lotus you got a taste of current day Hawaii but also the history of colonization and stolen land. The author does a wonderful job of weaving in the history of Hawaii within the family story. Its a really rich work of fiction but often gets really dense and slower in parts, I did really enjoy learning about Hawaii and love a story with strong female leads especially stories we don't hear enough about. Worth reading for the history alone.

While this book wasn't quite what I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. I thought that the content and history were really interesting, but ultimately I felt disconnected from the characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVia for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited to read this book but ultimately it wasn't for me. The writing style distracted from the plot. The descriptions were almost too rich and I found myself losing the plot of a sentence or paragraph by the time I got to the end of it. Just couldn't connect.

Hula is an emotional story of family and Hawaiian culture focusing on three generations of Naupaka women, Hulali, Laka, and Hi'i. While each of these women are very different in many ways from each other, they also have many things in common. The majority of this story, told over many years and following each of the women through the trials and triumphs of life, takes place in Hilo. While the author is clear in her notes that this is a work of fiction, the themes throughout the book of the colonization of Hawaii by America, as well as many other political issues are very real. I enjoyed the often raw emotion you could feel between mother and daughter, and felt that the author did a great job showing the passion that each woman has. This story touches on many themes of tradition, family, love, and culture, and I will not think of Hawaii in the same way again after reading it. Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!

This book captured me from the opening lines and left me thinking about it long after I finished it. This is a beautiful and poetic book about community and identity as well as the long-lasting consequences (both personal and communal) of erasure. I particularly loved the parts of the book that were told almost in a chorus—in a collective voice—to highlight the importance of community, and the significance of hula.

This was a gorgeous book and one everyone—especially every mainland American—should read.

I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley and HarperVia.

Hula follows the Naupaka family throughout different decades as we watch Hulali, Laka and Hi’i parent, grow and hide the secrets that could change the Naupaka family line going forward. This was an emotional read that makes you think what it means to be part of a family and when there are secrets that can destroy that sense of belonging. My favorite part of this book is the Hawaiian history that we get. Until I had visited Hawaii, I wasn’t aware of the history of how it became a state and the history before it was discovered by white people. It is history that everyone should be learning because as this book points out, if the stories don’t get shared eventually nobody will be able to pass them on.

3.5 stars. Hula is a novel about much more than dancing. Hi'i is born into a family disagreement — a stalemate of sorts between her mother, Laka, and grandmother, Hulali. With her pale skin and red hair, Hi'i has a difficult time finding her place among her Hawaiian family. She begs her mother to carry on the family tradition of dancing hula, but this fails to bring her the acceptance she longs for. Uncovering a devastating family truth, Hi'i leaves Hawaii and starts her own family, but her heart is still battered and bruised. Is it too late to repair what's been broken?

Aside from the narrative that follows the Naupaka family, this book is jam-packed with historical details surrounding the history, culture, and political turmoil of the kingdom of Hawaii. It's a devastating plight when you soak it in. I do think that the book is rather long and in some parts, slow, but I really enjoyed the experience and it has permanently affected me. There is much to be learned here, and it has made me want to seek out other reads focusing on Hawaiian history!

Thank you to Jasmin Iolani Hakes, HarperVia, and NetGalley for my gifted digital advance copy.

Hawaii is the spot where I honeymooned so I naturally wanted to read HULA. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I was intrigued by the cover and enjoyed Hakes descriptive voice as she unfolded the story. It reminded me of the many memoirs I have read about families over the years. My favorite part was seeing the language and traditions played out. Four stars.

What an amazing read! This book is so full of the Hawaiian language, it’s beautiful! That being said it is still completely comprehensive and does an amazing job of smoothly interjecting the meaning into each sentence. This book is not only full of culture, but also history and philosophy!

What a beautiful and moving book about the theft of a kingdom, a country, the land and its culture. Hula is also a gorgeous portrayal of the relationships between mother and daughter, of growing up with the expectations of your family and community and finding your own way. I appreciated the opportunity to learn about the steps being taken by Hawaiians to retain their unique culture as government, capitalism and greed attempts to take away everything. I also enjoyed the author's use of the community voice for narration, and the Hawaiian words found throughout the novel. Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVia for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.