This year, I made it my goal to read more books about Hawaiʻi, especially stories written by local authors. Luckily, our office is near one of my favorite bookstores, Native Books, and I’ve also joined ʻŌiwi Book Club, which meets over Zoom to discuss books written by Native Hawaiian authors.
This holiday season, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite books about Hawaiʻi with my family and friends.
If you’re looking to give a book or add to your own reading list, here are a few ideas.
1. “Aloha Veggies” by Alana Kysar
Alana Kysar’s second cookbook, “Aloha Veggies,” is a collection of more than 100 vibrant, flavorful, plant-based recipes inspired by the Islands’ culinary traditions and locally grown bounty. Since its release in April 2026, I’ve often found myself flipping through the pages of my copy not only for cooking inspiration but also to admire Kysar’s photography. I love the attention to detail and the thoughtful way Kysar organizes the book. You can also feel her love for Hawaiʻi and its heritage throughout these pages.
READ MORE: This Maui Author Celebrates the Islands’ Bounty in Her Newest Cookbook
You’ll find great recipes that can be made anywhere, in any season, from roasted miso sweet potato and kimchi carrot fried rice to lentil burgers for loco moco and haupia brownies. The book makes a great gift for plant-based cooks or anyone looking to incorporate more fruits and veggies into their diet.
You can find a copy from Native Books here.
2. “ʻOhana Style” by Sheldon Simeon
Hilo-born “Top Chef” alum Sheldon Simeon also released his second cookbook in 2026. For him, the concept of ‘ohana goes beyond family in the literal sense; it extends to friends, neighbors, coworkers and the community. This idea inspired the chef’s new book, “ʻOhana Style,” which includes more than 100 recipes that are simple, flavorful and meant to be shared. Simeon continues to celebrate the flavors of Hawaiʻi, pairing recipes with heartfelt stories that honor the Islands’ layered culinary history.
READ MORE: Chef Sheldon Simeon’s Second Cookbook Is for Everyone
From pastele stew to furikake animal crackers, you’ll find exciting recipes that will please your whole ʻohana. For anyone who loves cooking and Hawaiʻi’s local cuisine, this cookbook makes a thoughtful gift.
You can find a copy from Native Books here.
3. “Hawaiʻi Gold” by Carissa Moore
I still remember sitting down with professional surfer Carissa Moore in a coffee shop in Kaimukī to interview her about her book, “Hawaiʻi Gold.”
READ MORE: World Surfing Champ and Olympian Writes Her Own Book of Gold
Moore has won five world titles and made history as the first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in surfing when the sport made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games. But what I remember most clearly is how kind and humble she was. Moore radiates a warmth and brightness that comes from growing up in Hawaiʻi. You can feel her love for her home and the sport in her book, “Hawaiʻi Gold.” It makes a beautiful coffee table book, but it’s more than that. It really is Moore’s love letter to the Islands.
You can find a copy from Native Books here.
4. “Lei Aloha” by Meleana Estes
In 2023, lei maker and stylist Meleana Estes released “Lei Aloha: Celebrating the Vibrant Flowers and Lei of Hawaiʻi.” It remains one of my favorite books to share.
READ MORE: Q&A with Master Lei Maker Meleana Estes
Filled with stunning photos of lei and flowers, the book weaves together Estes’s family history, stories from her childhood making lei with her tūtū, and Hawaiʻi’s lei traditions. It’s a heartwarming homage to the Islands’ lei community.
You can find a signed copy from HIE Hawaiʻi here.
5. “Every Drop Is a Man’s Nightmare” by Megan Kamalei Kakimoto
“Every Drop Is a Man’s Nightmare” is a spellbinding collection of short stories by Native Hawaiian author Megan Kamalei Kakimoto. It’s one of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
With her distinctive storytelling, Kakimoto shares a one-of-a-kind love letter to the Islands, blending Hawaiian identity and mythology in a contemporary landscape. I’ve already given a copy to a friend so we can talk about it.
You can find a copy from Da Shop Books + Curiosities here.
6. “Everything to the Sea” by Alicia Upano
Spread across Hilo, Honolulu and San Francisco, this heart-wrenching story follows two young lovers as they navigate unimaginable loss. Beyond a romance novel, the story is a window into trauma, grief and a resilient Island community.
You can find a copy from Native Books here.
7. “The Three-Year Swim Club” by Julie Checkoway
I first read “The Three-Year Swim Club” while I was in college, and it made me proud to call Maui home. I read it for a second time this year, and it brought back those same feelings of pride in our Islands’ history. It also reminded me that there are so many stories that go untold.
“The Three-Year Swim Club” tells the extraordinary story of a schoolteacher who coaches a group of sugar plantation kids to swim in irrigation ditches. His goal is to turn these kids into Olympians. It’s an incredible tale of how these kids from Maui set their sights on Olympic glory and achieved remarkable success in the pool. However, they also faced the onset of World War II.
You can find a copy from Da Shop Books + Curiosities here.
8. “The Legends and Myths of Hawaiʻi” by King Kalākaua
Written by King David Kalākaua and first published in 1888, “The Legends and Myths of Hawaiʻi” is one of the first and most significant collections of Hawaiian legends and stories to help introduce these traditions to a global audience.
The last reigning king offers readers insight into the social, historical and religious customs in Hawaiʻi during his reign. It makes a fascinating gift for anyone interested in Hawaiian history.
You can find a copy from Native Books here.
