Books to read, set in Hawaii

Books set in Hawaii

Every state has its hallmark writers. Mississippi has William Faulkner and his incomparable (fictional) Yoknapatawpha County and Missouri can lay claim to Mark Twain. The state of Maine is gifted with Pulitzer winner Richard Russo and horror icon Stephen King. Rural Pennsylvania is the playground of the much-heralded (and occasionally maligned) John Updike, and when many bibliophiles think of New Jersey, they also think of Richard Ford’s series of novels featuring recurring Everyman character Frank Bascombe. Illinois can lay claim to William Maxwell, Sandra Cisneros, and Adam Langer, among numerous others. And what reader can think of Washington State without contending with the sparkle-vampire yarns of Stephanie Meyer?

What makes authors like these inextricably associated with a particular state is not simply the matter of their having been born there or choosing to live there. The connection, from a writerly standpoint, is deeper than that—their work, nearly all of it, is set in “their” state.

Of course, there are certainly exceptions. Whether a writer sets a tale in the town where they went to college or spent part of their childhood—like Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” and its New England arts school setting and the almost-factual small town of Jo Ann Beard’s “In Zanesville,” respectively—or crafts a story that follows a social or political theme to a location they know little about but lay narrative claim to anyway, the world is rife with books known, loved, and respected that also capture the essence of place—books where setting itself is one of the strongest characters.

Stacker compiled a list of books set in Hawaii from Goodreads. Whether you’re looking for a good read set in the state you call home, or you’re looking to expand your curiosity with a writer you’re already familiar with, we’ve got you covered.

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Death of a Messenger (Koa Kāne Hawaiian Mystery #1)

– Rating: 4.08 (258 ratings)
– Author: Robert B. McCaw
– Published: November 24, 2015
– Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Astronomy
– Read more on Goodreads

The Aloha Spirit

– Rating: 4.36 (80 ratings)
– Author: Linda Ulleseit
– Published: August 18, 2020
– Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical
– Read more on Goodreads

Taylor Before and After

– Rating: 4.12 (203 ratings)
– Author: Jennie Englund
– Published: February 18, 2020
– Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Contemporary, Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

Moloka’i (Moloka’i, #1)

– Rating: 4.17 (122,101 ratings)
– Author: Alan Brennert
– Published: October 21, 2003
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club
– Read more on Goodreads

Honolulu

– Rating: 4.07 (22,757 ratings)
– Author: Alan Brennert
– Published: January 1, 2009
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Adult Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

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Micro

– Rating: 3.47 (33,774 ratings)
– Author: Michael Crichton
– Published: November 22, 2011
– Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure
– Read more on Goodreads

The Descendants

– Rating: 3.83 (21,548 ratings)
– Author: Kaui Hart Hemmings
– Published: May 15, 2007
– Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Adult
– Read more on Goodreads

High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House, #28)

– Rating: 4.00 (7,749 ratings)
– Author: Mary Pope Osborne
– Published: January 1, 2003
– Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books
– Read more on Goodreads

The Scion Princess (The Scion Society #1)

– Rating: 3.92 (12 ratings)
– Author: Tovaley B. Kysel
– Published: September 29, 2016
– Genres: Supernatural Romance, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
– Read more on Goodreads

Max (Maximum Ride, #5)

– Rating: 4.06 (71,518 ratings)
– Author: James Patterson
– Published: March 16, 2009
– Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

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Blooming in the Wild (Hawaiian Heroes, #3)

– Rating: 4.12 (96 ratings)
– Author: Cathryn Cade
– Published: November 6, 2012
– Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance
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Cry for the Demon

– Rating: 3.31 (29 ratings)
– Author: Julia Grice
– Published: January 1, 1980
– Genres: Horror, Thriller
– Read more on Goodreads

Live Love Aloha: AMBW Romance

– Rating: 3.75 (60 ratings)
– Author: Love Journey
– Published: August 24, 2017
– Genres: Romance, Interracial Romance
– Read more on Goodreads

Walking in Fire (Hawaiian Heroes Book 1)

– Rating: 3.84 (276 ratings)
– Author: Cathryn Cade
– Published: April 10, 2012
– Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary
– Read more on Goodreads

Mississippi Hustler

– Rating: 4.00 (15 ratings)
– Author: Rod Bellamy
– Published: August 8, 2014
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Erotica
– Read more on Goodreads

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Pua’s Kiss (Lauele Fractured Folktales, #1)

– Rating: 3.33 (21 ratings)
– Author: Lehua Parker
– Published: January 1, 2020
– Genres: Romance
– Read more on Goodreads

Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers

– Rating: 3.90 (2,902 ratings)
– Author: Sara Ackerman
– Published: February 1, 2018
– Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Fiction, Historical
– Read more on Goodreads

The SOOF

– Rating: 4.19 (27 ratings)
– Author: Samuel G. Tooma
– Published: June 12, 2021
– Genres: Military Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

House of Many Gods

– Rating: 3.97 (773 ratings)
– Author: Kiana Davenport
– Published: January 1, 2006
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary
– Read more on Goodreads

Hawaii

– Rating: 4.20 (75,985 ratings)
– Author: James A. Michener
– Published: November 12, 1959
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Classics
– Read more on Goodreads

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Saving Paradise (Pono Hawkins #1)

– Rating: 3.66 (1,188 ratings)
– Author: Mike Bond
– Published: January 1, 2012
– Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller
– Read more on Goodreads

Murder at Dolphin Bay (Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery #1)

– Rating: 4.08 (726 ratings)
– Author: Kathi Daley
– Published: March 28, 2016
– Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Romance
– Read more on Goodreads

Clay’s Way

– Rating: 3.53 (460 ratings)
– Author: Blair Mastbaum
– Published: January 1, 2004
– Genres: Fiction, Gay, LGBT, Gay Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

One Boy, No Water (Niuhi Shark Saga, #1)

– Rating: 4.26 (95 ratings)
– Author: Lehua Parker
– Published: September 27, 2012
– Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Mythology
– Read more on Goodreads

Kaiulani: The People’s Princess, Hawaii, 1889

– Rating: 3.71 (4,083 ratings)
– Author: Ellen Emerson White
– Published: August 1, 2002
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Middle Grade
– Read more on Goodreads

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Shark Dialogues

– Rating: 4.08 (2,582 ratings)
– Author: Kiana Davenport
– Published: January 1, 1994
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Magical Realism, Historical
– Read more on Goodreads

Island Promises: Hawaiian Holiday\Hawaiian Reunion\Hawaiian Retreat

– Rating: 3.72 (146 ratings)
– Author: RaeAnne Thayne
– Published: November 1, 2013
– Genres: Romance, Anthologies, Contemporary Romance
– Read more on Goodreads

One Shark, No Swim (Niuhi Shark Saga, #2)

– Rating: 4.52 (50 ratings)
– Author: Lehua Parker
– Published: September 1, 2013
– Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
– Read more on Goodreads

Growing Up with Aloha: A Nanea Classic Volume 1 (American Girl: Nanea #1)

– Rating: 4.10 (426 ratings)
– Author: Kirby Larson
– Published: August 21, 2017
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Historical
– Read more on Goodreads

Song of the Exile

– Rating: 4.05 (1,574 ratings)
– Author: Kiana Davenport
– Published: January 1, 1999
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, War
– Read more on Goodreads

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Murder on Moloka’i (Surfing Detective Mystery #1)

– Rating: 3.61 (891 ratings)
– Author: Chip Hughes
– Published: October 1, 2004
– Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Amazon, Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

Silversword

– Rating: 3.81 (905 ratings)
– Author: Phyllis A. Whitney
– Published: December 2, 1986
– Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Gothic
– Read more on Goodreads

One Truth, No Lie (Niuhi Shark Saga, #3)

– Rating: 4.50 (20 ratings)
– Author: Lehua Parker
– Published: July 21, 2016
– Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy
– Read more on Goodreads

Death in Paradise (Henrie O, #4)

– Rating: 3.86 (898 ratings)
– Author: Carolyn G. Hart
– Published: January 1, 1998
– Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller
– Read more on Goodreads

Island of Flowers

– Rating: 3.79 (3,692 ratings)
– Author: Nora Roberts
– Published: October 1, 1982
– Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

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The Refuge (Maxie and Stretch, #3)

– Rating: 3.77 (713 ratings)
– Author: Sue Henry
– Published: March 26, 2007
– Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Cozy Mystery
– Read more on Goodreads

Aloha Betrayed (Murder, She Wrote, #41)

– Rating: 3.95 (862 ratings)
– Author: Jessica Fletcher
– Published: April 1, 2014
– Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller
– Read more on Goodreads

Aloha, Baby-sitters! (The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special, #13)

– Rating: 3.86 (687 ratings)
– Author: Ann M. Martin
– Published: July 1, 1996
– Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens
– Read more on Goodreads

Early Sunday Morning: the Pearl Harbor Diary of Amber Billows, Hawaii, 1941

– Rating: 3.85 (3,549 ratings)
– Author: Barry Denenberg
– Published: January 1, 1998
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

Bound in Flame (The Hawaiian Ladies’ Riding Society, #1)

– Rating: 3.79 (106 ratings)
– Author: Katherine Kayne
– Published: October 28, 2019
– Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction
– Read more on Goodreads

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From Here to Eternity

– Rating: 4.08 (17,072 ratings)
– Author: James Jones
– Published: January 1, 1951
– Genres: Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction, War
– Read more on Goodreads