This play tackles many issues & gives voice to individuals long silenced. For this, I appreciated the work; however (and perhaps this is part of the genius that I under appreciated), the protagonist is scattered & frantic & managing many adult scenarios in 90 minutes, which is exhausting. The playwright beautifully captures the voice of a 16yo but it‘s exhausting to listen to & I had to split up the audio in order to capture the bigger picture.

This book wasn‘t stellar, but its characters are endearing. Particularly Rachel, whose life stretches before you like aged canvas—beautiful and whole in parts, but tattered and worn at the edges with trauma and loss. Having grown up in Maui, the imagery in this book took me back to my childhood and I relished in the sweet remembrance of plumeria and a sense of community and love that I have only ever found in the islands.

“In my schoolboy reveries, we were always two fugitives riding on the spine of a book, eager to escape into worlds of fiction and secondhand dreams.”

It has been a long time since I have read a book in one sitting. This is a quick read, though incredibly difficult, particularly in today‘s social and economical climate. Its beautiful love story is punctuated by time, space, location, and extreme hardship. It will sit with you long after you close its cover.

“No land is more beautiful, and therefore more powerful. That is what I believe in, Aouli. I believe in Hawai'i. I believe in the land."

-Haleola