WEB EXCLUSIVE BOOK REVIEW
The Last Aloha: A Perfect Beach Read
An Intriguing Look into Hawaii’s history
By Kira Taniguchi
While you are soaking up the rays and sipping tropical beverages, why not catch up on a little bit of reading about Hawaii? Written by former Austin resident Gaellen Quinn, The Last Aloha explores the deep recesses of Hawaii’s history.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hawaii’s statehood, and for the first time, you can relish in its full history from monarchy to annexation.
Inspired by true events, The Last Aloha is a historical novel that takes place in the 19th century. It details the final days of the monarchy and the Queen’s struggle to save her throne.
The novel follows Laura Jennings as she makes her way to Hawaii in 1886 in an attempt to minister to the savages. Instead, she finds a prosperous society on the brink of turmoil. Follow Jennings as a scheme by the missionary party to overthrow the Queen Lili`uokalani unfolds.
Quinn’s extensive research through original 19th and 20th century documents, conversations with the natives and visits to the original sites make her book more thorough than any other.
Quinn’s work with the Mona Foundation, which supports educational initiatives that raise the status of women and girls globally, has allowed her to work with such countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, India, Tanzania, Honduras, Panama and Haiti. She recently moved to Molokai, Hawaii from Austin.
In 2008, The Last Aloha was a Texas manuscript winner in historical fiction in the Texas Writers’ League contest. It was also a semifinalist in the Amazon.com/Penguin Books Novel Contest.
For more information about Quinn, where to purchase the book and upcoming events, please visit the website www.gaellenquinn.com.