The Pohaku

by Jasmin Iolani Hakes

From the award-winning author of Hula , a dazzling saga about the founding of Hawaii and a magical relic that links the generations of one extraordinary family.

In the present day, a woman lies in a hospital bed, watched over by her attentive, caring grandmother. The young woman was recently at a party and was seen jumping from the roof—but that couldn’t have been what happened, surely? In fits and starts, the grandmother begins to explain to her granddaughter the long tail of their family’s history, nestled in which may be the secret to why hardship and mystery have followed them through the centuries….

Soon, we travel back in time to the 18th century, when the explorer James Cook becomes the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands. He soon intersects with Kamehameha, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii. And soon begins a thrilling family saga, as each generation is put in charge of the pohaku, a stone with seemingly magical powers; it is carried from Hawaii to California and possibly beyond, bringing fortune to the good and misfortune to the bad. But with each successive generation, its powers grow, and those who carry it in their lineage—especially the women of the family—are able to channel its powers for good.

Reminiscent of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing, Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko, and Tommy Orange’s There, There, The Pohaku is an immersive and bold novel about the history, perseverance, and resilience of the Hawaiian people.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Indigenous, Adult, Adult Fiction, Cultural

320 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Jifu · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)

This saga tells of the history of Hawaii, a surprising amount of the history of California, and on a grander scale tells a story of the history of fighting to hold on to one's culture and community in the face of seemingly relentless outside pressure, and also a story of multigenerational trauma. The Pohaku is the kind of read that is achingly, painfully tragic, yet also so gorgeously written, and also so eye-openingly informative too that it's a genuine challenge to put down once one gets into the real flow of the story. Jasmin Iolani Hakes has once again knocked it out of the park with an absolutely top-notch work, and although this book hasn't even been published yet as of this review, I already am eager to see what she has in store for the future.

[Jen G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

I enjoyed the first third of this book, but once the setting changed from Hawaii to California, I lost the plot and especially in the last third, I was quite confused about what was happening and who was who, and how that connected to the narrator and her granddaughter. I enjoyed some of the historical fiction, especially the parts set in Hawaii in the 1700s-early 1800s but the extensive California gold rush historical fiction at times felt distracting from the main story.

[Stacey Reads It All · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Pohaku overall and found it to be a solid, engaging listen. The story did get a little slogged down in details at times, and there were moments where it felt like it plodded along more than it needed to. Still, for the most part it kept things moving and held my interest.

The switches between timelines were done really well and never felt confusing, which helped the story flow better than I expected. I especially appreciated the rich history of Hawaiʻi woven throughout—I learned so much that felt new and meaningful.

Jolene Jaxon did a strong job with the narration. She brought a lot of heart to the book and kept the characters distinct. The overall production quality was polished and easy to listen to. I enjoyed the audiobook format for this story.

Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A narrative about the trauma constructed from colonial conquest that seeks to erode identities. A story that spans across three generations from the beginning of Hawaii’s colonialism to the 1990s. Generational trauma weaved into a narrative to show the power of reconnecting to ancestral concepts after over a century of colonialist ideals. Deconstructing your identity after your culture has been forced into western ideals is the theme here. What does it mean to define your identity and how do you reclaim a heritage that society tries to erase?
The prose is poignant and eloquent. The distinction of time during each chapter helps to understand the perspective of the three women who pass down the the pōhaku. Each generation engages the struggle differently to maintain their identity – but each century opens a new pathway towards rejecting western ideals. This is the way to understand the negative impact of forcing christianity and western ideals unto people who were once freely living in their culture. Will be reading fhe author’s novel, Hula next! Thank you HarperVia and Netgalley for this electronic arc!

Read more recommendations and reviews https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com

[Brittany]

DNF @ 25%
Received early audiobook from NetGalley, but not rating on goodreads.

I did not end up finishing this book because the historical parts sounded like I was in a history class . I was enjoying the very beginning, but I quickly grew bored. I like my historical fiction more character driven.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 STARS
(rounded up to 5)

i loved this book so much! to get a glimpse of the hardships of the people and those who fought to keep pieces of their culture & identity was just... heartbreaking, yet inspiring. i've read some books before that brought light to a some of the cruelty that generations of Native Hawaiians have faced, but from a fictionalized perspective peppered with truth, it made it even harder to digest simply because the characters felt real in this book. it truly is a beautifully written immersive experience. the Hawaiian people are resilient & irrepressible group people. the love for their island, each other, and their family is so beautiful to me.

i highly recommend this. it's a beautiful story about perserverance, culture, and family. while i wish the ending didn't feel almost abrupt, i also felt it needed to end the way it did. it's an opportunity for the reader to hope that all's well that end's well. i haven't read this author's previous work, but i do intend to now... and i look forward to more!

Mahalo to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy via NetGalley. i leave this review of my own volition; all thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a review.
Across the ages and generations, we the readers learn some Hawaiian history as the author weaves a story of the Pohaku or sacred stone, ohana, and what it means to be Hawaiian.
I really enjoyed this book - at least the first half - as a lover of Hawaiian culture and history, but somehow it dried up a little. I can pinpoint the why for me, so if it is resolved, it will fix everything. I lived in Hawaii for years and knew many of the Hawaiian words and places mentioned, but if I didn't have that background knowledge, it would have bogged me down sooner. So there is no glossary to help you out - and there is no authors note at the end that would have answered my MANY questions. So I hope before publication, the publisher hears my cry and adds those features, as a good authors notes is literally the best part about reading historical fiction.
3*

[kearstin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Pōhaku had an amazing premise, but I’m disappointed by the execution.

I love multi-generational storytelling. This story was beautiful, delving into the layers upon layers of trauma and resilience from colonialism. In this way, I felt the author did a phenomenal job.

However, the story itself was hard to follow. By the middle of the book, we’d been introduced to so many characters that it was hard to keep track of who was who.

This is written as a grandmother telling her heritage to her granddaughter who is in a coma. This, in my opinion, both strengthened and weakened the story telling. I felt the grandmothers voice wasn’t consistent throughout the book, and I think the story could’ve benefited from more with more focus on the women throughout the story. There was very little dialogue between them, and a lot of telling rather than showing. It was difficult for me to feel any attachment to any of them—I didn’t get a sense of who they were.

My biggest disappointment was with the ending. While I understand the authors choice, I felt cheated as a reader to not see an absolute resolution with the granddaughter.

I do think that readers would also benefit from a glossary of some sort to reference throughout the book. There are many phrases and mentions throughout the book that I wasn’t familiar with. And having so many characters throughout, I think having that could help with understanding the world a little bit more.

I really wanted to like this book, but it did fall flat for me. I do think there is potential for this book to resonate with others and to be wonderful.

Thank you to the publisher, HarperVia, the author, Jasmine ‘Ionlani Hakes, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something kept drawing me in to read this book. When I finally had the chance (thanks to an ARC from NetGalley and HarperAudio) I instantly knew why.

I went in thinking this was going to be more of a mystery surrounding what happened to the girl in a coma…
But, what I found was a well-written historical (fiction) novel about the Hawaiian people, their struggles, resilience and perseverance to keep their history and sacred stone (Pohaku) safe throughout generations.

The story was eye-opening, heartbreaking, and an important read for anyone looking to dig deeper into the impact of colonialism on island nations and indigenous people.

I was grateful that Jolene Jaxon read this novel. Firstly, because I would not have been able to pronounce many of the words correctly - which is important for me to get right - it would have taken away from the story. Secondly, because her re-telling of the story really moved me. I could visualize everything so vividly in my mind.

All in all this was a very well-written novel and I am excited to read her debut novel, Hula, next!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You have to know who you are”. This is the epigraph of Pohaku, and the theme resonates throughout the novel. Pohaku was one of the best books I have read in the past year. Jasmin Iolani Hakes, the author of Hula and now Pohaku, shows her vast research and historical accuracy in her latest novel. Pohaku means stone in Hawaiian. It’s a story of family lore and generations of Hawaiian history.

Set in both 1992 and the 1800’s, a distraught kupuna (grandmother) tells the story of their family’s history to her mo’opuna (granddaughter) who is in a coma after an incident at Queen’s Bath, a popular but dangerous swimming hole on Kauai. But this isn’t just their immediate family history, it’s the history of many generations and how their family ancestors were attendants to Queen Ka’ahumanu and thus came to be the guardians of the “Pohaku” or stone.

This book delved into Hawaiian history, and in particular, a facet that is not well known — the Hawaiians that lived in and around Sutter’s Fort and Sutter’s Mill, the birthplace of the California gold rush. The history was interesting and not dull at all, and it felt brought to life by Hakes superb storytelling. In fact, I was so interested after finishing the novel that I sought out more stories and articles about Hawaiians that had traveled in the 1800’s in Alaska and California. Overall, an excellent, epic tale, and one I can’t wait for others to read and share opinions with. HIGHLY recommend!

[Lynn Krueger-Andes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperVia and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy and advanced listener copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to love this book so much, and one of my biggest "complaints" could be addressed fairly easily with a glossary of terms and character list.
Background: This story is a dual story. One is a grandmother talking to her granddaughter who is in a coma. This takes place in 1992. The rest (and majority) of the story is the history of The Pohaku which is an ancient stone that one family tries to protect throughout generations (non-spoiler spoiler, but it's the same family, and the grandmother is "telling" this story to her granddaughter).
The issue for me was this was a very "tell not show" vibe. I had a hard time connecting with the characters as it was basically just one long story and there was hardly any dialogue. I did not feel connected to any of the characters really, and part of that is that there were so many characters and they were hard to keep track of. I think a character list is crucial, especially when many of the names are similar. For example: Kalehuna is the granddaughter of Kaluaua who was the nursemaid to Ka'ahamanu who was married to Kamehameha. Only Ka'ahamanu and Kamehameha are actually real people based on my research, so I'm not sure why we needed two additional K names which were fictional characters. But that's not all. Kalehuna marries George, and they call him Kanaka George (which I guess means "person" or "laborer" but seemed unnecessary tbh), and then Kanaka George's brother is named Kawika (apparently this is Hawaiian for David but still). These are all fictional characters and it was just unnecessarily confusing. There are also 3 Johns (only two of which are real, so again, a different fictional name would have been helpful).
Additional confusion was the use of Hawaiian words with no glossary. A lot of times when other languages are used, you can tell from the context clues of the sentence what the words mean, but I did not find that to be the case, and even when I highlighted in Kindle to look the words up, 90% of them did not pop up, so I had no idea what they were supposed to mean.
I enjoyed the Hawaiian history part and the lore associated with The Pohaku but it started falling flat for me when they got to California and we got all into the Gold Rush. That was not as interesting and it felt like a history book a bit. Connecting with the characters would have helped. Mahina was the only one I really connected with and so that part was enjoyable, and I was touched by the parts about new Americans coming in to put the Native Americans in reservations, and I would have actually loved to focus more on that because there was opportunity there. I cared less about the American and Mexican dispute over California because it was kind of glossed over.
I also feel like the two storylines did not converge for me because when the grandmother was talking to the granddaughter, she was speaking so casually and colloquially, sometimes in broken sentences, but then when she is "storytelling" the history it was more dry and formal, so it did not resonate that it was her telling this story. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if the entire thing was in grandma's voice because it would have felt more personal and not just like a history book. I also felt like the "connection" between grandma and the lineage that we followed the whole book was very rushed, and it was like we ran out of time/the book was too long so she was like "and that person was my grandmother".
IDK I feel like this book had so much potential and it was just a little bit disappointing. HOWEVER, I'm still glad I read it, as I do feel like I learned something and once I started using the audio (around 50%) it was much more enjoyable. I think if I had done the whole thing on audio I might have enjoyed more (I still think a glossary and character list is necessary...I think this is true anytime you are using another language, but for the characters in this book it was especially true because some of the names were just so similar). Basically: do the audio and learn some history! But just manage expectations that this was much more history/historical fiction that reads like real history than a family focused fiction.

[Amihan Archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pohaku takes the reader on a journey that weaves back and forth in time to tell the history of Hawaii and of the tale of a mysterious yet vital relic, passed down from generations of Hawaiian women to modern day. After recently listening to a similar ALC that interwove generations of the same family, I was already on board with the flow of the narrative the author takes us on.

I was especially impressed by Jolene Jaxon's switch between Hawaiian Pidgin accent when she was voicing the grandmother's point of view. If you are familiar with Hawaiian culture and the various influences of languages and cultures that had come to settle in Hawaii following its forced takeover by the US, this particular vernacular and speech may come both as a comfort and wistful reminder of all the changes that Hawaii has gone through. I felt Jaxon's pacing was perfect and the smoothness of her voice allowed me to really hone in on the story and its characters.

As we are taken through the story, it starts off magical and fantastical, implementing creation myths and beliefs of the Native Hawaiians and goes through the history of Hawaii through its various female characters who are charged with caring for the Pohaku. We follow them through generation and across the Pacific to California up to Oregon, and meet historical figures who shaped the landscape to what is now the western United States, specifically California, would be. As a Californian, it was surreal (but in a good, though troubling, way) to see the brutality of these settlers in an effort to tame the "Wild West" and disrespect the land.

Throughout the book, I reflected on the ways in which indigenous people care for the land and world around us versus the idea that the land is something that can be taken from and used. Even today, with the struggles that Native Hawaiians and Native Americans face in their own homes, there can be no denying the damage that has been done to our Earth. I think the Pohaku's exploration into history provides an emotional aspect to these themes of caring for nature and the ways in which settler colonial violence has shaped the experiences and narratives of indigenous people.

Overall, I would recommend this book to friends and to readers who enjoy historical fiction and, even with vague magical elements sprinkled in, the narratives of a generation of a Hawaiian family.

Thank you to the publishers HarperAudio Adult/HarperVia and Netgalley for providing this ALC, to the narrator Jolene Jaxon for a lovely performance, and to the author, Jasmin Iolani Hakes for creating such a rich story. All opinions and ideas shared are my own.

[Vice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pōhaku was such a poignant, reflective, beautiful/tragic story about a family of women throughout Hawaii's history from before the unification of the islands to kind-of-present-day (early 1990s) entrusted with the safekeeping of a special pōhaku - a sacred stone that connects the Hawaiian people to the spirits and voices of the land. This had a distinct and impactful voice and style, and deftly wove in the grandmother visiting her granddaughter in the hospital and telling her family's oral history woven in with key events in Hawaii's history, with taking us back in time and seeing the generations of women navigate their communities, connection with the land, inherited responsibility, and the big big changes brought by colonialism, capitalism, missionaries, and greed. Throughout the story and going between the islands, to California, and back, the story of the women and their lives gave meaning to history and reflections about identify, culture, heritage, and connection.

I feel like there's a lot more profound analysis and commentary that could be done, but I am 100% not the right person to do that -- but I found this book deeply resonant and meaningful, and I could not put it down as I was wholly absorbed. Also a small thing but I got a kick out of how drunk tūtū talked more local style in that one chapter. The book ends a bit abruptly/open-ended/ambiguously -- in a sense that, we've made it up to the current lineage of the grandmother passing down their family's story to her granddaughter as Hurricane Iniki approaches, and then the hurricane hits. For me, that made the story more emotionally resonant and devastating, and I bet it would make an excellent book discussion question.

Overall, well worth a read and I'm definitely picking up a copy when this publishes. Thanks to the author, HarperVia, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This multigenerational saga traces one Hawaiian lineage responsible for keeping and protecting pohaku, a sacred and mysterious stone. This icon is rooted in the deep and profound connection of people to the natural world – the elements, the flora, and the fauna. With the arrival of Captain Cook in the early 18th century, followed by and influx of other European explorers, the Hawaiian culture is slowly and steadily eroded in the name of civilization and Christianity.

The story tracks the history of the stone and its keepers from the 1700s up to 1992 where the last keeper is imparting the oral history to her granddaughter lying in a hospital bed after a near drowning with a resultant coma.

A slow start required patience, but once I found the rhythm the storyline unfolded with solid pacing and interesting characters. While the novel is a work of historical fiction, I learned a great deal about the role of the Hawaiian people in the settlement of California. The prose is highly evocative and there is much to appreciate about the culture. The descriptions of the disrespectful treatment of both the Hawaiians and the indigenous tribes have been well-documented in both fiction and nonfiction publications. Nonetheless, it is heart-breaking to witness the inhumane and often lethal actions perpetrated on these people with such rich cultures.

Overall, this was an interesting and informative novel. I was a bit disappointed, however, in the abrupt ending with no resolution given to the granddaughter’s legacy.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman in a coma is watched over by her estranged grandmother while she tells her the saga of the pōhaku, an ancient stone their family was tasked with protecting. Spanning generations from the 1700s to the 1990s, set between Hawai ̀i and California, the fate of the stone informs not only human history, but the natural world as well.

I loved the dual narratives that are being told to us simultaneously, demonstrating both the immediate and far reaches of generational trauma. This is ultimately a story that explores culture and identity in the face of colonialism. It took about 50 pages for me to really sink my teeth into it, but once I was in it, it was hard to put down.

I found the historical aspects of this novel absolutely captivating and immersive. I learned much during my time in this story and was able to hear from perspectives I never would’ve otherwise. The emotional depth of the characters is incredibly well-developed, and the sheer amount of fully-realized events covered in a relatively short amount of pages is masterful.

The pacing felt a bit wobbly, slightly repetitive, and had me wanting more of some scenes and less of others. I also felt that the building tension came to a rather abrupt ending, leaving me not quite satisfied with the payoff. Regardless, this is a story I won’t long forget. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a literary, historical, family epic, with plenty of emotional depth and important, relevant topics for discussion.

Huge thank you to the publisher for my copy! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @harperviabooks for this gifted book. Thank you @harperaudio for the gifted audiobook via @NetGalley.

Truly an immersive walk through Hawaiian history, with tales of Captain Cook, the prophecy of the pōhaku, royalty and religion, generational trauma, and the protection of what is your home.

The narrative, being told by a grandmother recounting her heritage to her granddaughter, who is lying in a coma, feels very much like historical fiction. The narrative spans from the 1700s to the 1990s and traverses several parts of the world, but focuses on generations of women from Hawaii to California. Not only does it show their resilience, but also the effects of colonialism, capitalism, missionaries, and greed that shaped them. It was through these sections that I was engaged, and I admit I learned a great deal about Hawaii’s history and culture.

What I struggled with was when the modern-day timeline was interjected; it felt disjointed, and we have very little clue about what is happening with her granddaughter. You feel this big shadow, but it never lifts. It didn’t allow me to connect with the characters. I would have preferred the grandmother and granddaughter to be more integral to the story, or for the focus to remain on the amazing historical aspects.

🎧 I was grateful to have the audiobook narrated by Jolene Jaxon, as I loved being able to hear the correct pronunciation of the Hawaiian words and names. It made for a more immersive and authentic experience.

3.5 🌟

[Lauren Bayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I requested this book because the blurb says it was reminiscent of Homegoing, one of my favorite books ever. Though I was skeptical, how could this possibly be as good as Homegoing?

Well, surprise, it was just as beautiful! Another multi-generational saga, spanning locations while uncovering layers of trauma and resilience. There were so many times that I found myself searching the historical background, and every new layer made it increasingly known how much research and depth Hakes put into her story.

In some ways I wish Hakes had more pages to put in even more. I would have loved to know more about how the grandmother was told this story, how ancient religion grapples with Christianity and vice versa, how things changed with Pearl Harbor and statehood and such. Especially more of Mahina and John because WOW did their story have such a turn.

And that ending? Ugh, how I felt cheated! Part of it was a wonderful cheat because it was realistic in how many relics are lost today. But most important was the granddaughter. She is almost mythical, more mysterious than the pōhaku itself. She deserves a resolution.

Long story short, this saga is wonderful and I wish there was more of it. That’s what made this four stars to me. I think I will have to go read Hula now just to satisfy some of this craving for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Annie Hegedus · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's tough for me to rate The Pohaku because there was so much I loved about it, but there were a lot of components that just didn't work for me as well as I had hoped they would.

To start with, what worked:
- I loved the Hawaiian history woven throughout and thought that was done well.
- I love multigenerational stories in general so that's always a bonus
- The writing is so beautiful and the world she builds is so vivid and gorgeous. She's got a very clear talent for making readers feel immersed in the setting of the story.

The things that didn't work as well:
- I wanted more of the 1992 timeline. I understand the choices she made with the ending and I think that part was just fine, but I just wanted to spend more time with the 1992 timeline and especially the time between 1894 and 1992. I think that could have added a lot.
- Even though I loved the details, sometimes it got a bit too bogged down in them, especially in the section of the book in California. I found myself wanting to go back to the Hawaii storyline (though that could very well be the author's point about longing to leave California).

Overall, I loved this for the first third, felt like I was in a bit of a slog in the middle third, and came back around at the end. Definitely worth the read if you're interested in historical fiction, but just know that it's a slow burn! 3.5 rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Kayla is trying to finish her backlog of books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HarperVia for an eARC copy of The Pohaku by Jasmin Iolani Hakes.

I was so excited to see that Jasmin Iolani Hakes was coming out with a second book after Hula and was not disappointed. This was a book that I sincerely needed at this time in my life.

A luminous and deeply moving novel that weaves a multigenerational narrative spanning Hawai'i and California that blends mystery and ancestracl memory. Opening with an unconscious young woman, a watchful estranged grandmother, and unanswered questions about a fall from a cliff - the story puls you into a world where the past is never distant and silence carries weight.

Spanning Hawai'i and California, the novel is grounded in the living presense of the pohaku - an ancient stone entrusted to one family's care. What unfolds is not just a mystery of what happened, but a powerful meditation on responsiblity, cultural inheritance, and the cost of disconneciton - from land, from histroy, and from one another.

The writing is evocative and respectful, with a strong sense of place and an emotional honesty that lingers. The relationship between grandmother and grandaughter is especially compelling, shaped with love, regret, and the long shadows of unresolved grief. As the pohaku's story emereges, so does the possibility of healing.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the most frustrating books that I have read in a while. The obvious time and care given to the fantastic premise were completely let down by the lack of editing. I read this as an ARC and I do understand that typos and formatting errors are to be expected, however the errors in this book were so persistent and distracting.

A few examples:

1. The year at the beginning of the chapter was incorrect multiple times. Since the book takes place over ~200 years there isn't always enough context in the text to know that there has been a time skip. So when the next chapter had a date that didn't line up due to character ages or historical events I would have to go back and try to figure out which year was wrong are reorient myself in the story.
2. There were several times where a scene had been moved to later in the story, but not everything got moved correctly. In one of these situations character X had been sick for several pages, then in the next paragraph her death was referred to in the past tense talking about the impact of her death on another character, and then in the next paragraph X was alive again.

It is unfortunate that a book that I was really looking forward to was such a disappointment through no fault of the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑷Ō𝑯𝑨𝑲𝑼 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒂𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑰𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝑯𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 & 𝑵𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒆 𝑱𝒂𝒙𝒐𝒏! I am so thankful to @harperviabooks & @harpercollins audio Adult via NetGalley for sharing this gorgeous story with me.

This is an epic historical fiction encompassing 200 years of Hawai`i & California and the women tasked with protecting their land. It is a gorgeously told saga with the complications of folklore and history, colonialism and religion, mothers and daughters.

It begins with a woman visiting her granddaughter who is in a coma after a possible fall off a cliff or a rogue wave. The Pōhaku, an ancient stone, is the key to their island heritage and the story must be passed down. I especially loved how this history was told with such a deep and emotional reason.

This is a compelling story that taught me about the history of Hawai`i and how it connected to so many events in the early formation of the United States. The way the women's generational stories were woven throughout was beautiful and full of strength.

I loved having the audio to pair with this gorgeous book. Jaxon did a perfect job with the accents and native words. I was taken into each of the stories easily and loved getting lost in this lush history.

For historical fiction and epic saga fans, be sure to grab this story in either, or both formats!

[Crystal Palmisano-Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to google Pohaku as I was imagining a little statue, but it's truly a rock or stone, but not *just* a rock or stone but a foundational tool used in Hawaiian culture for building homes, cooking, creating items, and symbolic usage. TLDR: vital for life in Hawaii.

In this story it draws forth minerals, valuable minerals, from the earth, but can also call forth powerful, destructive storms.

The book follows a long line of Hawaiian women from before the islands were united to 1992 as they protect the Pohaku even in the face of cultural changes, leaving the islands, and searching for it through its loss. There are struggles as some care not for it or fail to realize its importance or communicate the duty to the next generation.

There's a ton of history also included, not only in changes to Hawaii, but also in the domineering of what is now the western US by settlers. There are several tragic circumstances experienced by the women, but that doesn't lessen the impact of the book.

Slightly spoilery:
I really like the openness of the ending. It snags my mind to imagine if the story was remembered or not, if the granddaughter survived or not, etc.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kcaroth1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Pohaku by Jasmin Iolani Hakes, we see centuries of the history of Hawaii and northern California. In current time, we hear this story as a downbeat Hawaiian grandmother tells the story of their family to her unresponsive granddaughter in the hospital.

I loved the scope of the story as a Queen/goddess gave birth to both a child and a tangible sacred symbol. This gives the audience something to follow as the female linage escapes colonial history in Hawaii only to experience it again in California. I particularly enjoyed the parts where they were living with the Indigenous groups.

Unfortunately, I never really connected with any of the characters, despite the fact that they were generally well written. It was clear how the trauma of colonialism, change, religion and more affected each woman’s identity. Each generation struggled to hold on to its heritage while being pushed further away.

While the ending was a bit abrupt, I think it fit with the storyline. Much of the narrative focused on dominion over nature and land for profit, but that means nothing in the face of a major natural disaster.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for the eARC.
3.5 stars rounded to 4

[danni 😎 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished The Pōhaku months ago and my review has been sitting in my drafts haha. Happy Publication Day!

Jasmin 'Iolani Hakes can write. Her prose is literally like poetry; if you read Hula, you know what I mean. It’s atmospheric and honestly made me feel like I was right there in Hawaii, smelling the salt air. It’s definitely not a "tourist" version of Hawaii either; it’s deep, raw, and gets into all the heavy stuff like land rights and family history. I really liked the concept of this story. I loved how the "stone" was this big metaphor for everything the characters were carrying around from their ancestors. It felt really meaningful and grounded.

BUT, it’s a bit of a slow burn. There were parts in the middle where I kind of lost the plot because it got so heavy into internal monologues. It’s also got a lot of characters and time jumps, so you definitely have to pay attention or you’ll get confused. Overall, it is a beautiful book and really powerful.

If you like slow, deep, multi-generational stories, you’ll probably like this. Definitely glad I read it but I don't think it's for me. I do prefer Hula more, sorry! lol

3.5 stars

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Review ✨ The Pohaku by Jasmin Iolani Hakes; Narrated by Jolene Jaxon

Thanks to HarperVia, Harper Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This kind of book is like catnip to me -- a multi-generational, matrilineal story grounded in the histories of the Indigenous peoples in Hawaii and California.

Framed with a grandmother telling her granddaughter their history while she's in a coma in the hospital, it jumps between the present context in the hospital and the history, she's relaying.

It begins with a mother in Hawaii who births a daughter and a mysterious rock spirit (the Pohaku), alongside a prophecy about the future of Hawaii. The women in these families seek to protect the Pohaku even as white colonizers and others in power try to get their hands on it. This is a story of the women who fought to protect their land, their families, and their people, amidst brutal practices of colonization and cultural change, spread across centuries.

The history, the stories, and the point of view of this book really were excellent, and I just want to immerse myself in it all over again! It ends without resolution, which while frustrating, also felt reasonable in relationship to the big themes and the direction the story was going -- maybe resolution was impossible?

🎧 I loved listening to this one, though there were a few times I needed to look to the ebook to reread some parts to understand what was happening. It does use a handful of Hawaiian words regularly, but with patience, this will all start to make sense as a listener. This is also great for a paired read with the audio and text!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Setting: Hawaii and California across several centuries
Length: 9 hours 8 minutes
Pub Date: Feb 3, 2026

Read this if you like:
⭕️ multigenerational stories of women
⭕️ stories of women resisting colonization in whatever ways they could
⭕️ stories that center the people's connection to the land

[Poison Ivy 🌵 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ✨ The Pōhaku follows multiple generations of women protecting a magical stone that is supposed to protect the kingdom of Hawaii. I expected there to be more magical elements, but the family history and their goal to protect the stone is interesting and often times heartbreaking. The women in this story sacrifice a lot to protect this stone and their homeland from colonizers and those who would use it for personal gain rather than honoring its purpose. I really loved following all the women, especially when they got to the USA. The Native Hawaiian / Native American mixing and how the author interwoven both Indigenous groups and their interactions was engaging and nuanced. The end of the book felt final yet like there was hope, like an “open” ending but one where, despite the continued struggles Hawaii faces, there is hope that the Pohaku and the people’s belief in it’s power will overcome the ills that colonialism and greed have brought to the island. Overall, I would highly suggest this book, especially to fans of historical fiction and Hawaiian history + folklore.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
A dual storyline of old Hawaii and the migration to California then a jump several generations to a grandmother trying to heal her comatose granddaughter by using ancient methods and telling her the story of the Pohaku. Hawaii is facing a seismic shift when the Queen embraces Christianity and lets go of the old ways. To save a revered ancient object, the Pohaku, a young woman is quickly married and sent with it to far off Northern California. Tying in the spirit of the Pohaku with the abundant natural resources she becomes essential to the head of the expedition and fort. Atmospheric historical fiction of early immigration to California at the beginning of the Gold Rush and the women's quest to preserve and protect an ancient artifact as well as the culture. Fans of PACHINKO, THE RUSH and HOW MUCH THESE HILLS IS GOLD will enjoy this book. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Cole Chartier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautifully woven story that tells of the family history of the Pohaku and it's hold it has over multiple generations and how those generations connect to their heritage. Told from the perspective of a grandmother telling the story to her granddaughter as she lays in a coma.

Overall this story held so much culture and poetic prose that made it an undeniable hit with anyone who comes to find this book. I did struggle to connect with the story as some of the language was very unfamiliar to me. In this case, the audio book was immensely helpful and made the terms easier to follow but my own ignorance to the culture did hinder my ability to enjoy the story to the fullest.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jasmin Iolani Hakes and Harper Via (Harper Audio Adult) for an ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading both books by Hakes, I have to say that I learned more from her books than my entire education, concerning the history of Hawai'i. This book delves into more of the story of the colonization of Hawai'i and how it affected those that still followed the traditional beliefs/religion. It spans from Hawai'i to California (I had no idea that Hawaiians helped to settle California when it still was a part of Mexico...) and jumps from the 1870s to the early 1990s...weaving a family's story and the connection it has to a rock (pohaku) that has been in their family for years.
While there was parts that were hard to read, Hakes has written a fascinating story that makes me want to learn more about Hawai'i.
Thanks to Harper for the ARC!

[domsbookden]

DNF 64%

I found the story hard to follow; so many characters had been introduced in different timelines that it became difficult to keep track of who was who and why/if they were important. About two-thirds of the way through, I realized I didn’t fully know what was going on anymore and, more importantly, I didn’t care enough to try to figure it out.

This is very likely a me-thing. I don’t read historical fiction, so this may simply be a storytelling approach that I’m not used to or particularly into. Still, I think the book could have benefited from more focus on the women in the story and their connections to each other throughout the story. There was also a lot of telling rather than showing, which made it harder for me to feel engaged or invested.