Ho'onani: Hula Warrior

Written by Heather Gale · Illustrated by Mika Song

A girl challenges tradition to lead a boys-only hula troupe.

4.3 Goodreads · 972 ratings

40 pages· 879 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud· ~530L

$17.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Ho'onani feels neither girl nor boy, but she dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. As she steps into the spotlight, can she break tradition and earn respect? This true story celebrates identity and Hawaiian culture, as Ho'onani navigates acceptance and leadership, challenging norms and inspiring those around her.

From the publisher

An empowering celebration of identity, acceptance and Hawaiian culture based on the true story of a young girl in Hawaiʻi who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. Ho’onani feels in-between. She doesn’t see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane (boy). She’s happy to be in the middle. But not everyone sees it that way. When Ho’onani finds out that there will be a school performance of a traditional kane hula chant, she wants to be part of it. But can a girl really lead the all-male troupe? Ho’onani has to try . . . Based on a true story, Ho’onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is–and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her. Ho’onani’s story first appeared in the documentary A Place in the Middle by filmmakers Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson.

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