[1982] Helena G. Allen

The brief history of the Kingdom of Hawai’i and the royal ali’i culture. The young Queen Lili'uokalani experiences extreme loss amidst foreign intimidation and exploitation. Eventually she was illegally removed from the Hawaiian capitol, but she remained the revered Queen of Hawai’i until her dying day.

[2003] Allan Brennert

When she contracts a haole disease, young Rachel is forcibly removed from her home and relocated to a Leper Colony on the island of Molokai’i. She is forced to build anew and find belonging amongst others outcast by the Christian settler society.

[2019] Allan Brennert

Ruth, the daughter of Rachel in Molokai’i, is taken from her mother at birth to an orphanage for the children of Lepers. She is eventually adopted by a Japanese couple, and grows up in 1940’s California. Ruth and her adopted family are evicted from their land and interred with other Japanese families for years during WWII.

Later in life she gets the opportunity to meet her birth mother. They have share their stories of displacement, imprisonment, and eventually, freedom. Ruth learns that she has room in her heart for both her Japanese mother who raised her and her Hawaiian mother who gave her life.

[2009] Allan Brennert

A Korean girl named Regret escapes her oppressive father’s home byway of selling herself as a Picture Bride to a man in Hawai’i. Upon arrival she sees she has been deceived, but she has no choice but to persist. Enduring racism, abuse, and poverty, Regret renames herself Jin.

Jin experiences loss, grief, and the two tiered justice system of America. She also finds love, family, success, and friends amongst her fellow Picture Brides from Korea.

[2010] Dan Kois

Quick read about the life and cultural impact of the musician Israel Kamakawio’ole, best known for his ukulele cover of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Israel endured racism, poverty, and faced a two tiered justice system as a Native Hawaiian— but recorded a medley that was consequently licensed countless times to mainland Hollywood for television, movies, and commercials.