Interview with author Gaellen Quinn about her novel “The Last Aloha”

[Cliff Roles]

How did far-off Hawaii become part of America?
Suppressed for nearly 100 years, it’s a story known to few.

Here's the interview link: Gaellen Quinn

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.

Listen now to my interview with Gaellen – if you’d like to learn more about her, her book and a Hawaii way of life, go to Gaellen's webpage.

[Linda Swenson]

Cliff,

Looking forward to reading the book. I had the pleasure of living in Hawaii for two years. The only royal palace in the United States is in Honolulu. The history of how the pineapple companies overthrew
Queen Lili'uokalani and took over the islands is a very interesting but sad story.

Have a great day!

Linda Swenson