2023 American Library Association Annual Conference Extras–Click Here!
Hawaiian islanders at the center of their authentic stories.
Every island keiki deserves to be the hero
and to see themselves and ʻohana
at the center of the story.
#RealRep
– Lehua Parker
One Boy, No Water
Book 1 of the Niuhi Shark Saga trilogy
When you’re allegic to water, growing up in Hawaiʻi isn’t always paradise.
Set in comtemporary Hawaiʻi, this coming of age series explores belonging, destiny, adoption, being different, turning weaknesses into strengths, defining yourself, and creating family. There’s a secret about Zader that challenges everything you thought you knew about growing up Hawaiian.
For readers 10 and up.
Kanaka Maoli Author
Lehua Parker
LEHUA PARKER writes speculative fiction for kids and adults, often set in her native Hawai‘i. Her award-winning and best-selling series include the Niuhi Shark Saga trilogy, Lauele Fractured Folktales, and Chicken Skin Stories. Her short stories have appeared in Va: Stories by Women of the Moana, Dialogue, and Bamboo Ridge, and are collected in Sharks in an Inland Sea. Her plays have been performed by The Honolulu Theatre for Youth.
A Kamehameha Schools graduate, Lehua is a passionate advocate of indigenous voices and authentic representation in media. She is a frequent speaker at conferences, schools, and symposiums, and mentors through the Lehua Writing Academy and PEAU Lit. When the right project wanders by, she’s also a freelance editor and story consultant.
Now living in exile in the high Rocky Mountains, during the snowy winters she dreams of the beach.
Published Books
Short Stories
Happy Readers
Featured Books
Pua & Justin’s Story
When you’re dating a Niuhi shark in human form, there’s no such thing as a casual vacation fling.
Collected Short Works
Stories for adults that explore sideways worlds where things aren’t always what they seem.
Sweet YA Romance
Rell never imagined an 18th birthday like this. Inspired by Cinderella with a Hawaiian twist and set in the Lauele Universe.
Upcoming Events
April 11, 2024
Canvas Rebel Interview
April 15 – June 15, 2024
Joint Ethnic Studies Literacy Project
April 30, 2024
Oceans of Wonder
Worldwide Publication Date
University of Hawai’i Press
May 9 – 11, 2024
Storymakers Conference
Presentation: Writing Through Different Lenses
Book Reviews & Musings
Talking Story Blog
Hawaiians in Space
A couple of months ago, Adrienne Monson, author of the vampire series The Blood Inheritance Trilogy, came to me with an intriguing idea. Would I be interested in joining four other authors in creating a series of reimagined fairy tales to be published as boxed sets?...
One Boy, No Water FREE eBook
ONE BOY, NO WATER is FREE on Kindle through Dec. 25th. It's a 2017 Nene Award Nominee. Set in Hawaii, it tells the story of 13 year old Zader and his brother Jay. Lua, kite flying, surfing, and shave ice. The easiest way to take a trip to Hawaii without leaving your...
It’s Disney’s Moana
It’s Disney’s Moana. That’s really what it comes down to. A couple of years ago, when Disney announced that in the tradition of Aladdin, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Frozen, they were bringing to the screen Moana, a Polynesian princess tale, I was excited. When I learned...
