Mahu--a generally negative Hawaiian term for homosexuals--introduces a unique character to detective fiction. Kimo Kanapa'aka is a handsome, mixed-race surfer living in Honolulu, a police detective confronting his homosexuality in an atmosphere of macho bravado within the police force. When Kimo Kanapa'aka leaves a Honolulu gay bar late one night and stumbles onto two men dropping a dead body in an alley, he has no idea that he is about to begin the journey of his life -- into danger, passion and self-awareness.
SURF AT DAWN, MURDER AT MIDNIGHT… THREE HAWAII POLICE PROCEDURALS This gripping, action-packed box set introduces intrepid, handsome police detective Kimo Kanapa’aka. Kimo wants nothing more than to protect and serve his beloved, lush Honolulu--and he’s just nabbed his dream job as a detective on the police department’s homicide squad. He handles treacherous drug busts, goes undercover to discover who's killing surfers on Oahu's North Shore, and battles a dangerous bomber. So... life should be perfect, right? But, as the series begins, Kimo has a secret that’s about to burst into the open: he’s a closeted gay man. Author Plakcy carefully weaves Kimo’s personal journey into a smoldering police procedural thriller, striking a rare balance of hard-boiled and soft-hearted. Mahu At 32, Kimo Kanapa'aka is now a detective on the Honolulu Police Department's homicide squad, based at the Waikīkī station. But when he sees someone leave a dead body in an alley, he’s forced into a decision that could damage his career—either admit he was at a gay bar, or report it anonymously. He may have made the wrong decision, but there’s still no stopping him: he follows the trail from the seamy underside of Chinatown to the elegance of million-dollar homes in Maunalani Heights. This twisty debut is a fast-paced adventure from start to finish. Mahu Surfer Author Plakcy’s second installment in the Mahu Investigations series forces Kimo Kanapa'aka to surf seriously again. A serial killer is on the loose, and three people have died. Kimo’s new boss asks the former competitive surfer to go undercover on Oahu's North Shore to find the killer. Kimo’s journey back to his old stomping grounds is not a day at the beach: he notices a variety of issues, from crystal meth abuse to sky-rocketing rents. Plus, Kimo re-unites with an old friend who reveals more of this secretive cop’s past... Mahu Fire Kimo’s back in Honolulu--and he’s now the town’s only openly gay homicide detective. But it’s going well, at first: he’s growing comfortable with his status as an advocate. He’s even mentoring a group of gay teens. Things change when Kimo and his loved ones attend a swanky charity event in support of gay marriage. In the middle of the shindig, a bomb detonates. Kimo’s on the case: he’s determined to track down whoever’s hateful enough to massacre gay people and allies. But it's possible that his own high profile will stand in the way of this thrilling investigation, called "a sharp whodunit" by Publishers Weekly.
This book is an anthology of spoken narratives collected from male-to-female transgendered people who live on the island of O‘ahu. In this book, people who identify as “mahu” (the local term for a transgendered person), transsexual, and/or drag queen tell their stories and address the issues important in their lives. They talk about gender identity and sexuality; coming out to their families; familial acceptance and rejection; going to school; surviving on the streets; transitioning to womanhood; finding a romantic partner; spirituality and religion; Hawaiian culture; growing old, and much more. The transgender communities on O‘ahu are extensive and rich with diversity. Nevertheless, the general public typically views transgendered people in one-dimensional, stereotypical terms, often as prostitutes or sexual deviants. This collection will increase the visibility of transgenderism, and educate readers by giving transgendered people the opportunity to speak for themselves. Its contributors are of a variety of ages, and backgrounds. Not only do the powerfully moving narratives in ‘‘O Au No Keia reveal what it is like to be transgendered, they also illuminate what this means in the unique cultural context of Hawai‘i. On the one hand, this state has the reputation of being extremely accepting of those who are transgendered, as well as of those who are gay and lesbian. Indeed, it is reported that transgenderism and bisexuality were accepted in traditional Hawaiian society. On the other hand, much of Hawai‘i’s population is devoutly Christian, and the gay marriage bill was decisively defeated in 1999. Through their stories, the contributors — some of whom were born and raised here in Hawai'i, and some of whom came to O‘ahu later in life — reflect on the intersection between tolerant native Hawaiian values and condemning Western ones, and how that has affected their lives in a place many outsiders consider “paradise.”
An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, or Mahu, brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, based on the Academy Award–contending short film. In the 15th century, four Mahu sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and share their gifts of science and healing with the people of Waikiki. The islanders return this gift with a monument of four boulders in their honor, which the Mahu imbue with healing powers before disappearing. As time passes, foreigners inhabit the island and the once-sacred stones are forgotten until the 1960s. Though the true story of these stones was not fully recovered, the power of the Mahu still calls out to those who pass by them at Waikiki Beach today. With illuminating words and stunning illustrations by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, and Daniel Sousa, KAPAEMAHU is a monument to an Indigenous Hawaiian legend and a classic in the making.
An empowering celebration of identity, acceptance and Hawaiian culture based on the true story of a young girl in Hawaiʻi who dreams of leading the boys-only hula troupe at her school. Ho'onani feels in-between. She doesn't see herself as wahine (girl) OR kane (boy). She's happy to be in the middle. But not everyone sees it that way. When Ho'onani finds out that there will be a school performance of a traditional kane hula chant, she wants to be part of it. But can a girl really lead the all-male troupe? Ho'onani has to try . . . Based on a true story, Ho'onani: Hula Warrior is a celebration of Hawaiian culture and an empowering story of a girl who learns to lead and learns to accept who she really is--and in doing so, gains the respect of all those around her. Ho'onani's story first appeared in the documentary A Place in the Middle by filmmakers Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson.
EMPAT tahun Qisya Khaleesa cuba bertahan demi me rawat luka di hati. Biarpun sukar, dia masih meng harapkan kemaafan Ziyad Fallah. Namun, suaminya itu tetap meletakkan ke salahan ke atas bahunya. Padahal, jiwa ibu mana yang tidak merintih setelah kehilangan satu-satu nya permata hati? Pemergian Faiq yang dijemput ILAHI benar-benar meragut kebahagiaan dia dan Ziyad. Keegoan Ziyad membuatkan Qisya berjauh hati. Dia nekad membawa diri. Di luar pengetahuan Ziyad, dia tabah mengharungi hidup sendirian sehinggalah zuriat kedua mereka lahir ke dunia. Walaupun hatinya berat, Qisya berkorban sekali lagi tatkala dia sengaja meninggalkan bayi comel yang baru dilahirkannya itu di kediaman Ziyad. Dia rela berpisah dengan Firyal hanya kerana mahu menebus kekecewaan suaminya itu. Namun, ternyata perpisahan itu bagaikan merentap naluri keibuan Qisya. Hatinya tetap juga bergetar hebat tatkala bayangan Ziyad dan Firyal melintas jiwa. Dia tahu, di segenap relung nadinya masih sarat dengan rindu. Dan, dia hanya berperang dengan waktu demi melunaskan kerinduan itu.
Zero break refers to the deep-water location where waves first begin, often far offshore. For Honolulu homicide detective and surfer Kimo Kanapa'aka, it means his most dangerous case yet. A young mother is murdered in what appears to be a home invasion robbery, leaving behind a complex skein of family and business relationships, and Kimo and his detective partner Ray Donne must navigate deadly waters to uncover the true motive behind her death. Kimo is also in trouble at home, as he and fire investigator Mike Riccardi plumb the limits of their love for one another and consider the future of their relationship. What the critics have said about the Mahu Investigations: “Plakcy keeps the waves of suspense crashing!” In LA Magazine “Hits all the right notes as a mystery.” Mystery Book News “Kimo brings needed diversity to the genre, and the author handles the island setting well.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin “Spotless pace, intriguing plots twists, and an earnest depiction of challenges faced by people transitioning out of the closet.” Honolulu Advertiser “Recommended to a wide audience.” Reviewing the Evidence
When a sailboat carrying four bodies washes up on the Leeward Coast of O’ahu, openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa’aka, on loan to the FBI, must discover what sent this young family and their deadly cargo on a dangerous trans-Pacific voyage. Leaving behind his partner and their infant twins, Kimo must work with his police cohort Ray Donne to unravel the forces that led this family to their deaths. From Hawaii’s sunny beaches to a chilly island in Japan to the Pacific Northwest, Kimo and Ray step far out of their comfort zones to confront an evil much greater than any they’ve investigated before. What the critics have said about the Mahu Investigations: “Plakcy keeps the waves of suspense crashing!” In LA Magazine “Hits all the right notes as a mystery.” Mystery Book News “Kimo brings needed diversity to the genre, and the author handles the island setting well.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin “Spotless pace, intriguing plots twists, and an earnest depiction of challenges faced by people transitioning out of the closet.” Honolulu Advertiser “Recommended to a wide audience.” Reviewing the Evidence
Openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa’aka and his partner, Ray Donne, are on duty at a rally in downtown Honolulu organized by Kingdom of Hawai’i, one of many competing groups which seek reparations from the US for the loss of land and independence. An elderly woman is shot dead there, only a few feet from where Kimo’s mother and nephews are taking part in the demonstration, and Kimo and Ray take the case. At the same time, Kimo’s dealing with domestic difficulties, having just moved in with his partner, fire investigator Mike Riccardi. Since both are alpha males, the transition to shared living space isn’t easy, especially because Mike’s parents live next door. As Kimo and Mike struggle to adapt to living together, they begin to forge their own ohana—a Hawaiian term which means family, as well as community. The theme of ohana resonates through both Kimo’s personal life and his investigation of the murder as Kimo and Ray follow clues through a labyrinth of competing groups, uncovering a trail of gambling, money laundering, and mental illness. The title refers both to the blood spilled in three murders, as well as the blood ties that link native Hawaiians to each other. People come together in many ways here—through native heritage and family ties as well as love and fellowship. “Plakcy’s storytelling is tight, flawlessly executed, eminently interesting and inspiring.” George Seaton, Out in Print. “Neil S. Plakcy’s Mahu series is one of my favorites.” Melanie M, reviewer at Joyfully Jay. “To the mystery genre, Kimo Kanapa' aka is a refreshing tropical breeze.” Janie Franz, MyShelf Books in the Mahu series have reached the finalist stage for the Lambda Literary Awards as well as winning mystery fan awards and acclaim from mainstream publications such as Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal.
MAHU FIRE, the third Mahu Investigation from Lambda Award finalist Neil S. Plakcy, begins as openly gay Honolulu homicide detective Kimo Kanapa’aka attends a local charity event in support of gay marriage. When a bomb disrupts the gala, Kimo, his family and friends are thrust into a deadly contest between the forces of good and evil. A wave of religious fundamentalism sweeps through O’ahu, at the same time as violence against gay and lesbian-owned businesses is on the rise. Coincidence? Kimo doesn’t think so. Working with hunky fire inspector Mike Riccardi – day and night – Kimo digs through the ashes to discover a motive for the attacks, as well as who is behind them. MAHU FIRE showcases a handsome, sexy hero who struggles to overcome personal troubles and makes private sacrifices for the public good. Throw in an exotic tropical locale, plenty of aloha spirit and a dash of surf culture, as well as a slam-bang ending that puts Kimo and the people he cares about in danger, and you’ve got the makings of a page-turning mystery. Winner of the Left Coast Crime award for best police procedural, and finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for best gay mystery. Perfect for fans of Joseph Hansen, Michael Nava, and John Morgan Wilson. What the critics have said about the MAHU mysteries: “Plakcy keeps the waves of suspense crashing!” In LA Magazine “Hits all the right notes as a mystery.” Mystery Book News “Kimo brings needed diversity to the genre, and the author handles the island setting well.” Honolulu Star-Bulletin “Spotless pace, intriguing plots twists, and an earnest depiction of challenges faced by people transitioning out of the closet.” Honolulu Advertiser “Recommended to a wide audience.” Reviewing the Evidence
