Ho'onani: Hula Warrior
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2.0 • 1 Rating
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ho onani, a Hawaiian schoolchild, identifies not as wahine (girl), or k ne (boy), but just as herself (she uses she/her pronouns). Her parents are proud of her strength and independence: "She does what she wants!" her father says. But her sister Kana rolls her eyes when Ho onani auditions for the traditional hula chant performance given by the high school k ne, and says "How embarrassing!" when she's accepted. After working hard to internalize "the sway and song of story," Ho onani is chosen as the group's chant leader: "When Ho onani saw complete awe and true acceptance, she held her place. Strong,/ sure,/ and steady." Ho onani confronts the possibility that the audience will resist a wahine leader, but in a triumphant conclusion, they acknowledge her gifts and so does her sister. Boldly outlined watercolor and ink artwork by Song (A Friend for Henry) conveys visual information with strength that suggests Ho onani's own. And Gale grounds the child's experience, based on a true story, in Hawaiian traditions, modeling showing "every person the same unconditional acceptance and respect." Ages 4 8.
