2023 American Library Association Annual Conference Extras–Click Here!

Hawaiian islanders at the center of their authentic stories.

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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

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College Daughter comes home for the weekend and discovers a massive new dog pillow in front of the fireplace.   CD: I knew it! We're getting a new dog! Big, right? Like a Great Dane!   Me: No. No new dogs.   CD: But...   Me:   CD:   Me:   CD: Mom!   Me:   CD: You got...

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Am Writing: It’s Research!

Am Writing: It’s Research!

I've spent too much time today watching Bollywood dance sequences for a sangeet ceremony that's a two second scene in my Hawaiians (and Hindus) in space story. It's probably a good thing YouTube wasn't around when my friends were popping and locking in high school....

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Am Writing: Diving Deep

Am Writing: Diving Deep

Writing is like deep-sea diving. You spend a lot of time preparing and planning. There's specialized gear and uncommon knowledge to acquire, some kiddie pool practice before venturing out into the open ocean, and a lot of effort to travel to new and unexplored dive...

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