This Is Paradise

This Is Paradise is a collection of six short stories set across the Hawaiian Islands, focusing on both native Hawaiians and newcomers to the land. The stories take place in locations ranging from tourist-heavy Waikiki to rural communities on other islands. The narratives center on characters navigating cultural tensions, family obligations, and questions of identity in contemporary Hawaii. A group of local women encounter a young tourist, cockfighters maintain old traditions, and a daughter returns home to confront her Hawaiian heritage. The stories examine relationships between locals and outsiders while depicting daily life, rituals, and social dynamics unique to Hawaii. Characters face decisions that put their values, loyalties, and sense of belonging to the test. Through these interconnected tales, Kahakauwila explores themes of cultural preservation, generational differences, and the complex definition of "paradise" in a place where tradition and modernity collide. The collection offers perspectives on Hawaii that contrast sharply with common mainland perceptions.

Readers note the authenticity in depicting modern Hawaiian life beyond tourist stereotypes, with many appreciating how the stories capture complex cultural dynamics and local perspectives. The prose style and immersive descriptions receive frequent mentions in reviews. Liked: - Local Hawaiian viewpoints and cultural details - Strong sense of place and atmosphere - Complex characters, especially in "Portrait of a Good Father" - Multiple narrative voices in title story Disliked: - Some found the stories uneven in quality - Several readers wanted more resolution to story endings - A few felt the writing style was too detached Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings) "Brings modern Hawaii to life without romanticizing or oversimplifying" - Goodreads reviewer "The title story hits hard but others feel incomplete" - Amazon reviewer "Captures local culture in a way mainland writers miss" - LibraryThing reviewer

Wild Meat and the Bully Burgers by Lois-Ann Yamanaka A coming-of-age story set in Hawaii follows a young girl navigating cultural identity, family dynamics, and social hierarchies in 1970s Hilo.

Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport Four generations of Native Hawaiian women trace their lineage through colonization, cultural transformation, and deep connections to the land.

The House of Many Gods by Kiana Davenport A novel bridges Hawaiian traditions with contemporary life through the story of a doctor who moves between Waianae's rural coast and Russia.

The Last Aloha by Gaellen Quinn The narrative chronicles Hawaii's transition from monarchy to U.S. territory through the experiences of a young woman in the royal court.

The Color of Air by Gail Tsukiyama A Japanese-Hawaiian community faces natural disasters and personal upheavals in 1930s Hilo against the backdrop of sugarcane plantations.

🌺 Kristiana Kahakauwila is a hapa writer (mixed Native Hawaiian/non-Hawaiian ancestry) who grew up in Southern California but maintained strong connections to her Hawaiian heritage through regular visits to family on Maui. 🌺 The book's six short stories explore contemporary Hawaiian life beyond the tourist perspective, addressing complex themes like cockfighting, local versus mainland identities, and the socioeconomic challenges faced by native Hawaiians. 🌺 The title story, "This Is Paradise," is uniquely written in three different first-person plural voices, representing different groups of Hawaiian women watching a female tourist throughout her fateful day in Waikiki. 🌺 The author conducted extensive research for the book, including interviewing cockfighters and spending time at local bars, to ensure authentic representation of modern Hawaiian culture and communities. 🌺 Published in 2013, the book received the Elle Magazine's Readers Prize and was named a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection, helping bring attention to contemporary Hawaiian literature in mainstream publishing.