Aloha, Kanani

Written by Lisa Yee · Illustrated by Sarah Davis

A Hawaiian girl struggles to connect with her distant cousin from Manhattan. Can they bridge their cultural divide?

4.2 Goodreads · 1,250 ratings

120 pages· 640L

$6.95Save 3%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

Kanani eagerly anticipates her cousin Rachel's visit from Manhattan, hoping to share Hawaii's beauty. Yet, cultural differences create tension, leaving Kanani feeling sidelined. Despite her efforts, Rachel remains unhappy. A diary mix-up sparks conflict, but Kanani's heartfelt gesture reveals a misunderstood cousin. Can Kanani bridge the gap and embrace the true aloha spirit?

From the publisher

Kanani loves helping out in her family’s store and sharing the wonders of Hawaii with visitors. When her chic cousin Rachel from Manhattan comes to stay for a month, Kanani can’t wait to get to know her cousin and help Rachel feel at home. But a clash of cultures ensures, and Kanani feels ignored. She tries to extend hospitality but everything she does seems to make Rachel unhappy. How can she find a way to connect with her cousin and make things better? “Sometimes people who want help the least need it the most,” her mother tells her. After a mixup with a diary leads to a fight, Kanani reaches out to Rachel in an openhearted spirit of caring and good will, and discovers that she has misjudged her cousin. In the process, Kanani learns the true meaning of Hawaii’s “aloha spirit.”

At a glance