Kona: A Novel of Two Generations in Hawaii

by Marjorie Sinclair

Set during a time of transition – plantation life was ending and World War II was looming on the horizon – Kona follows the lives of an interracial family. Martha Luahine Bell and Winslow Wendall’s life together reflect the conflict that comes from the meeting of opposing cultures and values. The story traces the impact that the bending of cultures has on their children who, in the end, make choices very different from those imagined by their parents.

Genres: Historical Fiction

248 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1986

Reviews

[Althea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book, the descriptions, and how it connected me to Hawaii. Usually I do not read this type of book, but I loved this one.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a visit to Hawaii and finally got around to reading it. The landscape and aromas of the archipelago were lovingly described and it was worth reading it for that alone. The story is very inwardly focused to a small collection of families in the 1930s and 1940s. It's hard to tell how "authentic" the stories, particularly of the Hawaiian families, are but it's an interesting examination on the relations between people of different racial backgrounds.

[Eric Stinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Kona" is two connected stories in one novel: one is about a mother who moves from Kona to Honolulu in the 1930s to marry a stuffy haole dude, and the other about their daughter, who struggles to fit in with Honolulu life and live up to her father's expectations.

The main drive was the inner-turmoil of both mother and daughter regarding their Hawaiian blood, which was done well. The actual narrative, though, wasn't terribly engaging; a whole lot of sitting around talking and thinking and feeling anxious. While Sinclair's descriptive prose is absolutely beautiful, the dialogue is hilariously bad, especially when she attempts to write pidgin.

If you're interested in Hawaii literature, this is worth checking out.

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

[Melanie Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this telling of old Hawaii

[Danna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the least compelling reads I've ever attempted in my entire life! Adapting to a new culture, rejecting your cultural heritage, or returning to it are certainly important considerations in today's ultra-flat world. They deserve a less tepid treatment than this novel afforded them. I think part of the book's weakness was the exclusion of any discussion of religion or racial bias. Culture is more than vocation, manners, dances, music and the number of children one has and how one chooses to rear them.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to read something Hawaiian, this was all there was on hand. Not the most original plot, but I enjoyed that I knew the places I was reading about - honestly that was probably the only reason I'd ever pick up this one.

[Mary Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very predictable plot, but the painting of Kona and Honolulu is full of details. She uses extensive Hawaiian and Pidgin vocabulary that rings true. I have another of her novels on my to-read shelf, but after this one I won't hurry to get to it.