Summary

In 1962, Laka covets a honu shell that hangs on her Grandpa’s wall which she has been promised is her birthright. Four years later, in 1966, Hulali wakes Laka up and tells her to head to hula school. Laka pretends to go to school but instead meets up with her secret boyfriend, David, who is mostly white. David and Laka sleep together and dream about moving away from Hilo after Laka has fulfilled her obligation to dance hula.

When Laka gets home, she discovers a pyre burning in her family’s backyard. Hulali confronts Laka and accuses her of bringing shame on their family by sleeping with David. Laka realizes that Hulali is burning the honu shell. In the weeks that follow, Laka realizes she has become pregnant. She avoids David and focuses on dancing hula, becoming so skilled that she accidentally wins Miss...