Kapaemahu is a 2022 picture book written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, and illustrated by Daniel Sousa. The book, which was originally produced as an animated short film, provides a retelling of an ancient Indigenous Hawaiian legend and is written in both ʻŌlelo Niʻihau and English.
 First edition book cover | |
| Author | Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Daniel Sousa |
| Publisher | Kokila |
Publication date | June 7, 2022 |
| Awards | |
| ISBN | 9780593530061 |
In 2023, Kapaemahu was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Children's Literature, as well as a Stonewall Book Award honor book.
Plot edit
Kapaemahu recounts an ancient Hawaiian legend about four spirits: Kapaemahu, Kapuni, Kinohi, and Kahaloa. Each spirit was mahu, meaning they embodied both feminine and masculine aspects in mind, heart, and spirit; they also possessed unique healing abilities: Kapaemahu healed through touch, Kapuni addressed spiritual healing, Kinohi could diagnose ailments, and Kahaloa could heal from a distance.
Centuries ago, these mahu traveled from Tahiti to Waikiki, sharing their healing knowledge with the locals. As a tribute, the islanders constructed a monument by transporting four large boulders from the mountain to the beach. The mahu transferred their powers to these rocks before disappearing.
The monument stood on the beach for many generations, but with time, the monument and the stories and wisdom it represented faded from memory.
Reception edit
Kapaemahu received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews,[1] School Library Journal,[2] and Shelf Awareness.[3]
Kirkus Reviews called Kapaemahu "a poignant monument to the power of hidden Indigenous histories", noting that the book "underscores the importance of preserving sacred spaces". They also highlighted how "the book pays homage to Indigenous Hawaiian healing traditions and affirms two-spirit people".[1]
Terry Hong, writing for Shelf Awareness, highlighted the book's illustrations: "Sousa's full-page bleeds and saturated palette of predominantly deep earth colors display potent images. Light heightens Sousa's superb imagery: glowing golds underscore gentle strength; soft, wispy white captures healing energy." Hong concluded that the illustration's "power continues to flow through transparent prose and magnificent visuals, gifting audiences with insights celebrating acceptance and inspiring strength".[3]
Elizabeth Bush, writing for The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, also praised the Sousa's illustrations, which "portray the healers as chiseled, monumental forms reminiscent of the stones that house their spirits". Bush further stated that "the inky shadows and rich red-gold light of the ancient tale contrasts dramatically with the sand-reflected brightness of modern Waikiki".[4]
Awards and honors edit
School Library Journal and Shelf Awareness included Kapaemahu on their list of the best children's books of 2022.[6][7] School Library Journal also included the audiobook on their list of the top ten audiobooks of 2022.[8]
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Lambda Literary Award for Children's Literature | Finalist | [9] |
| Stonewall Book Award | Honor | [10] |
References edit
- ^ a b "Kapaemahu". Kirkus Reviews. March 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Hong, Terry (August 8, 2022). "Kapaemahu". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Hong, Terry (June 17, 2022). "Kapaemahu". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Bush, Elizabeth (June 2022). "Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu". Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. 75 (10): 336–336. doi:10.1353/bcc.2022.0320. ISSN 1558-6766 – via Project MUSE.
- ^ "Kapaemahu". Booklist. June 1, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Shelf Awareness's Best Children's & YA Books of 2022". Shelf Awareness. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Dragan, Jonah; Fakih, Kimberly; Lauer, Louis; Mulligan, Rachel; Zuffa, Rachel (November 21, 2022). "Best Picture Books 2022". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on May 10, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ Hong, Terry (November 23, 2022). "Top 10 Audiobooks of 2022". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "A Complete List of the 2023 LAMBDA Award Winners and Finalists". Tertulia. May 31, 2023. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Youth Media Awards". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
Further reading edit
- Hamer, Dean; Wong-Kalu, Hinaleimoana (2022). "Kapaemahu: Toward Story Sovereignty of a Hawaiian Tradition of Healing and Gender Diversity". The Contemporary Pacific. 34 (2): 255–291. doi:10.1353/cp.2022.0046. ISSN 1527-9464.