Aloha, Kanani is the first book about Kanani Akina. It was included with the doll when she was available to be purchased; it is now available separately.
Characters[]
- See Also: Minor Characters in Kanani's Stories
Chapter By Chapter Summary[]
Chapter One: Akina's Shave Ice and Sweet Treats[]
Kanani looks at the calendar hanging beside the cash register; thinking that it has taken forever for summer to arrive, but now that it is finally here she can help out at her parents' Shave Ice and Sweet Treats store every morning. She especially enjoys greeting customers. Kanani's great-grandfather built the store by hand and it was one of the first buildings in Waipuna. Even though the store is somewhat shabby, new customers usually look around the store and marvel at the decorations and treats. Akina's Shave Ice and Sweet Treats also withstood several hurricanes.
Kanani with Aunty Lea and Auntie Aimee.
Kanani's aunts arrive at the store with large bags and one of them, her Aunty Lea asks Kanani to try the candied pineapple rings she made. When Kanani does and then nods at her, Lea triumphantly tells Kanani's other aunt, Aimee that Kanani likes her treat better. Aimee argues that Kanani hasn't even tried her treat yet, offering her niece some Mango Mochi. Kanani takes a bite and smiles, which causes Aunty Aimee to insist that Kanani prefers her treat. Lea disagrees. Before they can continue arguing, Kanani steps in between them, calmly telling them that both treats are good and will sell well.
Kanani's mother comments on Kanani being "quite a diploma" before pointing out that tomorrow will be the "big day" and asking if Kanani remembers her cousin, Rachel. Rachel, who lives in New York City would spend a month with the Akinas. When Kanani asks when her and Rachel last saw each other her mother tells her that it had been four years. Kanani was six years old then and Rachel was almost eight. Kanani says that she remembers them having a lot of fun together, but she wonders if Rachel changed. Mrs. Akina says that they both changed since a lot can happen in four years. Kanani solemnly points out that Rachel's parents are getting a divorce.
Chapter Two: Cousins[]
Kanani wakes up early to clean her room to prepare for Rachel. Her mom jokingly asks if she's feeling okay, because this is unusual. Kanani offers to take the futon so Rachel can have her bed, and her mom compliments her ho'okipa--her hospitality. At the shave ice store, she tells customers about her excitement over Rachel's visit, and one remarks that she's been talking about it for weeks. She later stops by Tutu Lani's house, who specially picked flowers to make a lei for Rachel. Tutu Lani teaches Kanani how to expertly string the flowers together with a needle.
On the way to the airport, Kanani wonders what Rachel will be like, as it's been years since she's seen her. She also plays Oops--Ouch!, a game she and Celina made up with the goal to count the most sun-burned tourists. The Akinas wait at the airport until Rachel arrives. When they see Rachel, Kanani rushes to place the lei around her neck and welcome her to Kaua'i. She notices that Rachel is half a head taller than her, with ivory skin, blunt cut blonde hair, stylish clothes, and short black boots (which Kanani knows won't last long in Hawai'i). Excited, Kanani talks during the entire ride home about all the things she has planned for her and Rachel this summer. Yet, already Rachel feels uncomfortable in her new environment. She doesn't understand why Mrs. Akins doesn't honk her horn, is shocked the Akinas have a goat as a pet, and worries her new Bloomingdsle's shoes will get stolen if she leaves them outside, which is custom. Kanani watches her unpack, thinking how she had never seen so many trendy clothes before. Rachel shows off a diamond necklace her stepfather gave her, and Kanani hides the puka shell bracelet she had planned to give her cousin, believing it isn't fancy enough.
The next morning, Rachel wakes up startled by Jinx the rooster. At breakfast, she remarks she had a hard time sleeping because it was too quiet compared to "the city that never sleeps." Mrs. Akins suggests Kanani take the day to show Rachel around Waipuna instead of helping at the store, which Kanani agrees to. Kanani asks Rachel if she wants to change into something more comfortable, as she doesn't want her to get her nice clothes wet at the beach, and Rachel responds that these are her regular clothes (even though to Kanani they look out of a fashion magazine).
Kanani and Rachel go walking. Kanani points out Wailua falls, and Rachel talks about a visit with her mom to Niagara Falls, which was a hundred times bigger. Kanani takes Rachel to meet Tutu Lani, who tells her to come over anytime to talk gossip and stories, despite Rachel's protests that she doesn't have any stories. Kanani continues showing Rachel around the different stores in town, including the town museum where Aunty Lea volunteers. In the small museum, with its surfing photos and old wooden telephone, Kanani starts to feel embarrassed, sure that Rachel probably thinks her town is prehistoric. She tries to think of something she can show Rachel that will impress her. Rachel notes that Aunty Lea is very enthusiastic, and Kanani explains that she's not her real aunt, they call everybody aunty and uncle, which Rachel finds weird. Rachel also starts suggesting museums in New York that Kanani should visit, and it seems to Kanani that no matter what she shows her, Rachel always has something bigger and better in New York.
Chapter Three: Poi[]
Chapter Four: Complete Opposites[]
Chapter Five: Call for Help[]
Chapter Six: Ocean Breeze[]
Chapter Seven: A Magical Place[]
Chapter Eight: Dear Diary[]
Chapter Nine: 'Ohana[]
Chapter Ten: Summer Wishes[]
Glossary of Hawaiian Words[]
Real Girls Who Help Animals[]
Trivia[]
- Aloha, Kanani was the first Girl of the Year meet book to not simply be the character's name.