Kapaemahu

PRAISE FOR KAPAEMAHU by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson; Illustrated by Daniel Sousa

A Stonewall Honor Book!
A School & Library Journal Best Picture Book of the Year!
A Shelf Awareness Best Children’s & YA of 2022!
A Kirkus Best Book of 2022
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022
A Rainbow Book List 2023
A Notable Social Studies Trade Books List 2023
A Bank Street College of Education’s Children’s Book Committee’s The Best Children’s Books of 2023
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far) [2025]


“…a glorious picture book reclamation.” — Shelf Awareness.

★ “The fascinating backmatter provides background information about the original Hawaiian legend and Niihau dialect…A poignant monument to the power of hidden Indigenous histories.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review.

★ “…a fine read-aloud in conjunction with a history lesson on Hawaii, its people, their language, and the colonization that occurred.” — School & Library Journal, starred review.

“Sousa’s dreamy illustrations—taken from the film—reflect the text’s thoughtful tone.” — Booklist

“Sousa’s illustrations portray the healers as chiseled, monumental forms reminiscent of the stones that house their spirits; the inky shadows and rich red-gold light of the ancient tale contrasts dramatically with the sand-reflected brightness of modern Waikiki.” — BCCB

“A beautiful, important book that not only offers indigenous representation, but also underscores the long history and deep importance of nonbinary people in certain cultures.” — Mombian

“The picture book’s stunning sepia-toned illustrations, which match the film, combined with the simple but powerful text, make this an excellent introduction to Indigenous Hawaiian culture and to the mahu and third gender people.” — Book Riot

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu is a Native Hawaiian teacher, cultural practitioner, and filmmaker who uses digital media to protect and perpetuate Indigenous languages and traditions. She began her film work as an advisor for the award-winning films Kumu Hina and A Place in the Middle, and received a National Education Association Human Rights Award, Native Hawaiian Educator of the Year, and White House Champion of Change Award for the groundbreaking impact campaigns associated with those films. Hina produced the PBS/ARTE feature documentary Leitis in Waiting and award-winning short “Lady Eva” about her transgender sisters in the Kingdom of Tonga. Hina is also a transgender health advocate, burial council chair, and composer of “Ku Haaheo E Kuu Hawaii,” the internationally-known anthem for the protection of Mauna Kea, which was honored as Hawaiian Song of the Year in the 2020 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, known as the Hawaiian Grammys.

Daniel Sousa is an Academy Award-nominated animator who uses the themes embedded in myths and legends to examine archetypes of human nature. Born in Cape Verde, he approaches filmmaking from a painter’s perspective, focusing on the fragility of fleeting moments, memories and perceptions. His short films include Feral, which was supported by a Creative Capital Foundation grant and screened at Sundance, and Fable, which won awards at festivals around the world. He recently completed animating several native legends for the four-part PBS special Native America, which weaves history and science with living indigenous traditions. Sousa has taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, Harvard University, the Museum School, the Art Institute of Boston and the Animation Workshop in Denmark.

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