During the mid-1800’s and into the early to mid-1900’s, people diagnosed with leprosy, what later would be more accurately labeled as Hansen’s Disease, were forced into a sort of exile or quarantine where they would live out the rest of their lives and die. Moloka’i was once feared for its powerful sorcerers and in history would become even more famous for being the home of a leper colony. My knowledge of Hawaiian history is small, sad to say. Moloka’i gave me the chance to revisit that time in my life.īut even with the reawakening of that part of my life, the novel itself is set outside of my own experiences. Hawai’i will always hold a special place in my heart and in my memory because it was once a place I called home, for however short a period of time in the scheme of my life. My mother still signs her Christmas letter with the Hawaiian Christmas and New Year’s greeting ( Mele Kalikimaka, Hau'oli Makahiki Hou). I grew up hearing bits and pieces of the Hawaiian language even long after my family left Hawai’i. Although my memories are vague and few because of my young age at the time, one of the things that most stands out is the Hawaiian language. It had been sitting on my shelf since January of 2006.Ĭomments: I lived in Hawai’i for a short time during my childhood. I wish I could remember where I first heard about this book. Reason for Reading: This is my 8th selection for the TBR Challenge.

First Sentence: Later, when memory was all she had to sustain her, she would come to cherish it: Old Honolulu as it was then, as it would never be again.

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert