Best Historical Fiction Books About Hawaii: 5 Picks

The best historical fiction books about hawaii span the kingdom era to the 1920s: Moloka’i is the landmark pick, The Last Aloha covers 1886, and Olivia West brings aviation adventure. One listing is a legends collection, not a novel, and we say so.

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Best historical fiction books about hawaii: side by side

Book details are as published on each listing and collected 19 October 2026.

The novels

Moloka’i follows a girl sent to the Kalaupapa settlement; The Last Aloha follows a woman in 1886 Honolulu as the monarchy falls; Olivia West follows a 1927 air race to Hawai’i; Love Finds You in Lahaina Hawaii follows a missionary in 1890 Lahaina. Four novels, four eras, all grounded in Hawaiian history.

One honest note

The Legends and Myths of Hawaii is a collection of legends by King Kalakaua, originally released in 1888, not a historical novel. It belongs on this list as background reading, not as fiction.

The five books

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Moloka'i	9.8/10	Buy
2	The Last Aloha	9.8/10	Buy
3	Olivia West Flight	9.8/10	Buy
4	The Legends and Myths of Hawaii	9.8/10	Buy
5	Love in Lahaina	9.7/10	Buy

1

Moloka'i

Alan Brennert·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of 2 by Alan Brennert, a novel of the Kalaupapa settlement, 400 pages.

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Pros

• Hawai'i leprosy settlement story stated
• Book 1 of 2 in series stated
• 400 pages stated

Cons

• Heavy subject matter stated
• 2004 publication, older novel
• Book 2 needed to finish

2

The Last Aloha

Gaellen Quinn·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A novel of 1886 Hawaii and the fall of the monarchy, 394 pages, award winner.

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Pros

• 1886 kingdom-era setting stated
• Multiple awards stated
• 394 pages stated

Cons

• Standalone, no series
• 2009 publication
• Court intrigue pace

3

Olivia West Flight

Sara Ackerman·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 1920s Hawaii aviation novel by Sara Ackerman, 384 pages, dual timeline.

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Pros

• 1920s Hawaii aviation stated
• Dual timeline stated
• 384 pages stated

Cons

• Aviation focus, not island life
• 2024 publication, newest here
• Part California setting

4

The Legends and Myths of Hawaii

David Kalakaua·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

King Kalakaua's 1888 collection of Hawaiian legends, 452-page reprint.

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Pros

• 1888 original by a Hawaiian king
• 452 pages stated
• Cultural legends stated

Cons

• Legends, not a novel
• Nonfiction collection
• Archaic source material

5

Love in Lahaina

Bodie Thoene·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An 1890 Lahaina romance of revolt and the monarchy, 360 pages.

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Pros

• 1890 Lahaina setting stated
• Monarchy restoration theme stated
• 360 pages stated

Cons

• Romance-forward stated
• 2010 publication
• Standalone, no series

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Before you buy

• Match the era: kingdom, settlement or 1920s.
• Check the format: novel, series starter or legends collection.
• Moloka’i is Book 1 of 2; the rest are standalones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the landmark Hawaii novel?

Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, set in the Kalaupapa settlement, 400 pages.

Which covers the monarchy’s fall?

The Last Aloha, set in 1886 Honolulu, and Love Finds You in Lahaina Hawaii, set in 1890 Lahaina.

Which is newest?

The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West, published February 6, 2024.

Is the legends book a novel?

No. The Legends and Myths of Hawaii is an 1888 legends collection by King Kalakaua.

Related: every book club list.

More picks to compare

• Hawaiian History by Captivating HistoryBig Island history guide, nonfictionCheck on Amazon
• The Pohaku by HakesMultigenerational Hawaiian saga novelCheck on Amazon
• Stories of Hawaii by Jack LondonClassic Hawaii storiesCheck on Amazon
• Hawaiian Mythology by WesterveltAnnotated Polynesian myths and legendsCheck on Amazon

Still deciding? Our top pickMoloka'i

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