How did far-off Hawaii become part of America?Suppressed for nearly 100 years, it’s a story known to few.
In 1886, Laura Jennings boards a steamship bound for the exotic islands of Hawaii to live with missionary relatives she’s never met. Laura imagines she’ll live in a grass hut and minister to “savages.” But on arriving in Honolulu, she’s surprised to find that, far from being savages, the Hawaiians have developed a charming and prosperous kingdom—and Laura’s family is among the wealthy elite plotting to overthrow the monarchy. To avoid her conniving uncle’s control, Laura goes to work for the royal family. She’s swept up in a web of intrigue and turmoil as the Missionary Party intensifies its scheme to topple the throne and Hawaii’s last queen, Lili`uokalani, struggles heroically to save the kingdom. When every way is blocked, the queen’s choices reveal to Laura a power capable of restoring the spirit of a people caught in a turbulent, changing world. And Laura discovers how her own family’s long-hidden secrets can lead the way to reconciliation.
Inspired by true events, this is the story James Michener never wrote. Find out why.
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