Picture a Hawaiian storyteller who wove a vibrant tapestry of culture, family, and dance in her debut novel—meet Jasmin Iolani Hakes! Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, Hakes is the acclaimed author of Hula, a sweeping saga that captures the heart of Hawaiian identity through three generations of women. With a background in hula dancing and a pen that paints vivid emotional landscapes, she’s a fresh voice in contemporary fiction, inviting readers to explore the complexities of belonging and heritage.
Her journey from a small-town dancer to a literary star is as captivating as her prose. Hakes’s work doesn’t just tell stories—it breathes life into the history and spirit of Hawaiʻi, making her a must-read for anyone curious about culture and connection.
The Making of Jasmin Iolani Hakes
Growing up in Hilo’s Keaukaha community, Jasmin Iolani Hakes was steeped in Hawaiian culture, yet often felt like an outsider due to her fair skin and blue-gray eyes. Named after the revered hula dancer Iolani Luahine, she began dancing hula at age four, training with esteemed groups like Halau o Kekuhi. This deep connection to hula shaped her identity, but questions of belonging lingered, fueled by her mixed Filipino, Portuguese, and possibly Native Hawaiian heritage. As a single mother in her 20s, Hakes moved to California, where the distance from Hawaiʻi clarified her love for her roots, inspiring her to write.
Her writing career took flight after years of persistence, including a pivotal residency at Hedgebrook, where Hula was born. Despite challenges—like an orphaned manuscript at a major publisher—Hakes’s determination and cultural reverence led to her breakthrough, earning her accolades and a loyal readership.
Jasmin Iolani Hakes’s Unforgettable Stories
Hakes’s debut novel, Hula (2023), is a tour de force, blending historical fiction with a coming-of-age narrative. Set in Hilo, it follows Hiʻi Naupaka, a young woman navigating her identity amid family secrets and the legacy of hula. The story spans three generations, weaving in the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement and the impact of colonization. Hakes’s use of a collective “we” voice creates a choral effect, grounding readers in the community’s pulse while exploring personal struggles.
Her style is lyrical yet fierce, infused with Hawaiian pidgin and lush descriptions of the islands’ natural beauty. Themes of identity, cultural preservation, and mother-daughter bonds resonate deeply, earning praise for their authenticity. While Hula is her only novel to date, Hakes’s essays in outlets like the Los Angeles Times showcase her versatility, blending personal reflection with cultural commentary. Her work stands out for its refusal to romanticize Hawaiʻi, instead offering a raw, nuanced portrait of its people and history.
Critics have hailed Hula as a modern classic, with authors like Qian Julie Wang calling it “an unforgettable ode to Hawaii.” Its blend of emotional depth and historical insight makes it a standout in contemporary Hawaiian literature, appealing to readers of multigenerational sagas like Pachinko.
Why Jasmin Iolani Hakes Matters
Jasmin Iolani Hakes is more than a novelist—she’s a cultural bridge, illuminating Hawaiʻi’s complex history for a global audience. Her work challenges stereotypes, highlighting the resilience of Native Hawaiian traditions against the backdrop of colonization. By centering hula as a storytelling medium, she preserves and celebrates a vital cultural practice, making it accessible yet sacred. Her exploration of identity resonates universally, inviting readers to question what it means to belong.
Hakes’s impact lies in her ability to spark dialogue about cultural heritage and sovereignty, particularly among younger generations. As a mixed-race author, she navigates sensitive topics with grace, earning respect for her authenticity and courage. Her story inspires aspiring writers, proving that persistence and cultural pride can break through barriers.
- Born: Hilo, Hawaiʻi
- Key Work: Hula (2023)
- Awards: HONOLULU Magazine’s Book of the Year, Best Fiction from Southern California Writers Conference
- Fun Fact: She worked as a professional luau dancer during college!
Ready to dive into a world of hula, history, and heart? Grab Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes and let her vibrant prose sweep you away to the shores of Hilo!