Wai-nani High chiefess of Hawai’i: Her Epic Journey By Linda Ballou

Release date: 2008 / 262 pages

First lines: “The red apple of the ohi’a tree tasted sweet in my mouth as I watched the drifting plumes of Pele, Goddess of the Volcano, cast shadows upon the shimmering sea.”

Synopsis (from back cover): “From the cauldron of controversy that is Hawaiian history emerges Wai-nani, a reflection of the personage of the great chiefess Ka’ahumanu. Like all Islanders, she is a water baby finding pleasure, sustenance, solace, wisdom and courage in the grand and vibrant sea. She is born fifteen years prior to the landing of Captain Cook in Kealakekua in 1779 and is the favorite wife of Makaha, a fierce warrior modeled after Kamehameha the Great.”

Review: After I read and reviewed Molo’kai, I was contacted by Linda Ballou to read and review Wai-nai and quickly agreed.

I have been fortunate to visit Hawaii a number of times in my life, on family Christmas trips , and have a deep appreciation for this beautiful land. My very first impressions of jasmine and soft, warm sea air have stayed with me in a very visceral way. It truly is a place that seems blessed and sacred.

So, I was very surprised when I learned about the leprosy colonies in Molo’kai and even more surprised to learn of Hawaii’s violent mythological and historical past. Wai-nani tells the story of an exceptional woman, based on the historical figure of Ka’ahumanu, who in fleeing an unwanted arranged marriage at the age of thirteen, unwittingly falls in love with and marries the future ruler of the islands, Makaha, based on the historical Kamehameha the Great. Although Wai-nani is unable to have children, she remains the wife and trusted advisor to Makaha as he becomes ruler of the islands.

I enjoyed this historical novel on a number of levels. First, the imagery is beautiful and lush and well-represents the majesty of the Hawaiian islands. Ballou is an engaging story-teller and recreates the exceptional beauty of this peerless place.  I also like how the heroes in historical fiction are, well, human!  Both Wai-nani and her royal husband are deeply flawed and therefore sympathetic and interesting…

Second, the narrative is fast-paced and compelling. Wai-nani is strong-willed and stubborn and leads her husband and the reader on an exciting and, at times, perilous journey. Makaha, not surprisingly, is also strong-willed as well as stubborn and fierce, yet somehow does not completely sacrifice his humanity in his pursuit for power.  Since this is historical fiction, and follows the lives of actual people, Ballou must organize their story into a propelling narrative and does this very well.

I must admit that this is my favorite way to learn history – through a rollicking good story replete with engaging characters (in both senses of the word) and perilous adventures. Modern Hawaii is such a gentle, peaceful sanctuary that the bloody and ruthless past is hard to imagine, but unfortunately seems to be par for the course of history.

So, I thoroughly recommend Wai-nani and would love to give-away a free copy! Simply leave me a comment below and I will randomly choose a winner… We’re leaving for Colorado in a few days, so I may choose very quickly or wait a few weeks…

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