Ho'onani: Hula Warrior

by Heather Gale, Mika Song (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735264496
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	10/01/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	261,155
Product dimensions:	11.20(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

HEATHER GALE is a former orthotist and author originally from New Zealand. Heather loves stories of all kinds, but she especially loves those that feature real people like Ho'onani. She fell in love with the art of storytelling during long car rides, making up stories to go with the scenes flashing by. Heather has two sons and now lives in Toronto with her husband and their two dogs.

MIKA SONG grew up in Manila, Philippines, and Honolulu, Hawaii, before moving to New York to study at Pratt Institute. She studied animation and worked as an animator before getting into children's books. In 2015, she received the Portfolio Award at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference in NYC. An author and illustrator, Mika loves stories about sweetly funny outsiders, and recently illustrated the book Harry and Clare's Amazing Staycation and wrote and illustrated Picnic with Oliver. Mika lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/29/2019

Ho‘onani, a Hawaiian schoolchild, identifies not as wahine (girl), or ka¯ne (boy), but just as herself (she uses she/her pronouns). Her parents are proud of her strength and independence: “She does what she wants!” her father says. But her sister Kana rolls her eyes when Ho‘onani auditions for the traditional hula chant performance given by the high school ka¯ne, and says “How embarrassing!” when she’s accepted. After working hard to internalize “the sway and song of story,” Ho‘onani is chosen as the group’s chant leader: “When Ho‘onani saw complete awe and true acceptance, she held her place. Strong,/ sure,/ and steady.” Ho‘onani confronts the possibility that the audience will resist a wahine leader, but in a triumphant conclusion, they acknowledge her gifts—and so does her sister. Boldly outlined watercolor and ink artwork by Song (A Friend for Henry) conveys visual information with strength that suggests Ho‘onani’s own. And Gale grounds the child’s experience, based on a true story, in Hawaiian traditions, modeling showing “every person the same unconditional acceptance and respect.” Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

One of the New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids 2019
One of the Ontario Library Association’s 2019 Top Ten Titles
Featured on the 2020 Rainbow Book List
Featured on the 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List

PRAISE FOR Ho'onani: Hula Warrior:

“Heather Gale’s prose is buttressed by Mika Song’s lovely drawings to make this a wonderfully feel-good story about tradition and difference.” —New York Times

“[A] rousing tale of a child overcoming obstacles . . . it also deftly weaves in elements of culture and gender in simple language that kids can understand.” —Today.com

“Boldly outlined watercolor and ink artwork . . . convey visual information with strength that suggests Ho‘onani’s own. And Gale grounds the child’s experience, based on a true story, in Hawaiian traditions, modeling showing ‘every person the same unconditional acceptance and respect’.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

“Ho'onani’s courage to be true to herself and her place in the middle is empowering. Hawaiian words are intermixed, and Song’s illustrations are full of emotion and determination.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An entertaining, illuminating, and empowering read, Ho’onani: Hula Warrior will make a welcome addition to classrooms, libraries, and story times!” —CM Magazine

“This is a book that delicately tackles a difficult but important subject with sensitivity and without fuss at an age-appropriate level.” —Resource Links

“Song’s watercolor and ink illustrations have a gentle Saturday morning cartoon appeal and give Ho‘onani a strong, purposeful appeal.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

10/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—Readers are introduced to Hawaiian culture and nonbinary identities in this picture book based on the documentary A Place in the Middle. Though the author uses she/her pronouns throughout the book, Ho'onani doesn't think of herself as a girl or boy—she's just Ho'onani, and her refusal to conform frustrates her older sister Kana. When plans to perform a traditional hula chant are announced at Ho'onani's school, she decides to audition, even though historically only boys performed the chant. Not only is she selected to be a part of the chant, she's given the role of leader—with the support of the boys who will perform with her. Though Kana is initially unsupportive, her appearance at the final performance wraps things up with a happy ending. Song's illustrations are boldly drawn, with thick lines and angular features. VERDICT An affirming story of a gender identity little represented in children's literature. This book is an excellent purchase for libraries looking to expand their LGBTQ+ offerings.—Katherine Barr, Cameron Village Regional Library, Raleigh, NC

School Library Journal

2019-06-10
In this picture book based on a true story, a nonbinary youth finds her place as a hula warrior.

Ho'onani Kamai doesn't identify with either wahine (girl) or kāne (boy); "she prefer[s] just Hoonani." (Feminine pronouns refer to Ho'onani throughout.) One day, her teacher Kumu Hina announces auditions for a traditional hula chant the high school kāne will perform. With Kumu Hina's encouragement, Ho'onani auditions despite the shock of the kāne. After passing the test, she practices "until Hawai‘i's history [becomes] a part of her." Practice pays off, as her chant's strength and power gain her true acceptance as their leader. Kumu Hina warns that people may get upset that a wahine is leading, but Ho'onani faces the performance with courage. Through every challenge and doubt, Ho'onani "[holds] her place. Strong, sure, and steady." Her strength and bravery lead her to find her place as a hula warrior. Based on the documentary A Place in the Middle, this story brings to light the Hawaiian tradition of valuing those who are māhū, or nonbinary. Teacher and activist Kumu Hina creates a place of safety and acceptance, encouraging her students to treat others with respect. Ho'onani's courage to be true to herself and her place in the middle is empowering. Hawaiian words are intermixed, and Song's illustrations are full of emotion and determination.

Ho'onani deserves a place on any shelf. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews