10 Fiction Books Set in Hawaii: Novels and Stories
The islands of Hawaii are a magical place, and you’ll find some of the most enchanting Best Fiction Books set in that part of the world. From thrillers to horror novels to mysteries, these are some of the best books set in Hawaii that you should read!
Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers
Sara Ackerman’s novel takes readers to Hawaii in 1944, where Violet Iverson and her daughter Ella are living with the mystery of Violet’s missing husband. Violet and her friends sell pies to the Marines stationed nearby. Against the pressures of war, the story explores friendship, family and the secrets that can stand between people.
Why You Should Read It:
Ackerman’s writing is warm and engaging, making ” Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers” a perfect read for anyone looking for a heartwarming story. The Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers offers a beautiful, new perspective on World War II because it captures the unbreakable friendship between female companions. The bond between a mother and her child, and the power of love in even the darkest time.
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Murder on Molokai: A Surfing Detective Mystery
Chip Hughes introduces surfing detective Kai Cooke in a mystery involving the suspicious death of an environmental activist on the cliffs of Kalaupapa. The investigation takes readers beyond Hawaii’s holiday image into a case where the island setting is central to the mystery.
Why You Should Read It:
This is a good choice for readers drawn to island mysteries and a detective with a passion for surfing.
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Murder, She Wrote: Aloha Betrayed Book
Jessica Fletcher visits Maui to give lectures with retired detective Mike Kane. When a local professor is found dead below a cliff, Jessica becomes involved in an investigation entangled with controversy over a telescope on Haleakala. It is a Hawaiian outing for readers who enjoy Jessica’s familiar approach to solving a mystery.
Why You Should Read It:
It is a fun read for those that love murder mysteries!
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Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet
Graham Salisbury’s children’s chapter book follows Calvin Coconut, a fourth grader growing up in Kailua. School, family and the arrival of teenage babysitter Stella give Calvin plenty to deal with. This is a humorous story about everyday adventures in Hawaii, rather than a young-adult novel about a newcomer named David.
Why You Should Read It:
For younger readers, Calvin’s school and family adventures offer a lively introduction to a Hawaii setting.
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House of Many Gods
Kiana Davenport’s House of Many Gods follows Ana, a Hawaiian doctor, and Nikolai, a Russian filmmaker. Their lives connect in a story that moves between Hawaii and Russia, exploring love, family, identity and environmental damage.
Why You Should Read It:
This is a choice for readers who enjoy a love story shaped by family history and the places its characters call home.
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One Boy, No Water
The first book in Lehua Parker’s Niuhi Shark Saga introduces Zader, a boy whose unusual reaction to water makes island life difficult. His adoptive family and his connection to the ocean are part of a story that brings everyday Hawaiian life together with the fantastic.
Why You Should Read It:
With its fast-paced action and thrilling plot, Niuhi Shark Saga is sure to keep readers hooked from start to finish.The book is full of suspense and adventure, and it’s a great read for anyone who loves Hawaii or wants to learn more about Hawaiian culture.
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Moloka’i
Moloka’i is a beautiful and heart-wrenching novel set in Hawaii more than a century ago. The story follows seven-year-old Rachel Kalama, a spirited Hawaiian girl who dreams of visiting far-off lands. When she is diagnosed with Hansen’s disease, Rachel is separated from her family and sent to the settlement at Kalaupapa on Moloka’i. The novel follows the life and relationships she builds there.
Why You Should Read It:
The book Moloka’i is a great read for anyone who loves Hawaii or wants to learn more about Hawaiian culture. The story is full of adventure, family, and friendship. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.
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Death of a Messenger
Robert B. McCaw’s Death of a Messenger introduces Hilo Chief Detective Koa Kāne. A murder investigation on Hawaii’s Big Island puts his knowledge of the island and his investigative skills to the test. It is the opening book in the Koa Kāne mystery series.
Why You Should Read It:
Death of a Messenger is a fast-paced and exciting read. Robert B. McCaw does an excellent job of creating suspense and keeping the reader guessing until the very end. If you’re looking for a good thriller set in Hawaii, this is the book for you.
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This is Paradise
This is Paradise is a collection of short stories about modern life in Hawaii. The stories explore the tensions between local and tourist, tradition and expectation, facade and authentic self. The book shows life as it’s truly being lived on Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island.
Why You Should Read It:
The book is a great read for anyone interested in Hawaii or looking for a glimpse into the lives of its people. The stories are well-written and provide an insight into the culture and way of life on the islands.
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Honolulu
Alan Brennert’s Honolulu follows Regret, a young Korean woman who comes to Hawaii as a picture bride in 1914. The life awaiting her is very different from what she imagined, and she must find a way to build an independent future. Her story explores migration, friendship and the challenges women face in a changing society.
Why You Should Read It:
This is a choice for readers interested in historical fiction about migration, resilience and women building new lives in Hawaii.
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