Lei and the Invisible Island - (Lei and the Legends) by Malia Maunakea

About the Book

When Kaipo's essential °aumakua pendant disappears, Lei, Kaipo, Ilikea, and newcomer Kaukahi embark on a perilous journey to an invisible island in search of the pendant, where they face challenges from sharks to malevolent spirits determined to thwart their quest.

Book Synopsis

Now in paperback, an exciting follow-up to Lei and the Fire Goddess features a mysterious, invisible island, dangerous spirits, and a newcomer who does not need Lei's help...or does she?

It turns out that curses are real.

After saving her best friend and ancestral guardian, Kaipo, from Pele the fire goddess's traps and successfully preventing lava from destroying her tūtū's house, all Lei wants to do is take a nap. The only problem? Kaipo's ʻaumakua pendant is missing, and without it, he will soon rot...emotionally and physically.

So Lei, Kaipo, the shapeshifting bat Ilikea, and newcomer Kaukahi--a fiercely independent fashionista--set off on a journey to an invisible island where they hope to find Kaipo's pendant. To get there, they'll have to jump off the edge of their world, contend with sharks, and cross an ocean. And when they arrive? The crew realizes that the missing pendant is the least of their problems. For there are evil spirits gathering, and they're out for blood.

In this exciting follow-up to Lei and the Fire Goddess, Malia Maunakea crafts a tale about friendship, family, culture, and what it means to forgive each other and yourself.

Review Quotes

Spotify Top Audiobook of the Year for Kids

"Equally as exciting as Lei and the Fire Goddess (2023), this fast-paced story is full of action and humor and enriched by Hawaiian cultural elements. Lei struggles with her friendships, identity, lingering guilt, self-forgiveness, mixed-up priorities, and selfishness. Diving even deeper into Native Hawaiian culture and language than the previous title, this book celebrates family, mythology, traditions, and connections to the Earth and its creatures. Another incredibly exhilarating adventure." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

About the Author

Malia Maunakea (she/her/hers) is a part-Hawaiian writer who grew up in the rainforest on the Big Island before moving to a valley on Oʻahu in seventh grade. She relocated to the continent for college, and when she isn't writing, she can be found roaming the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband, their two children, and a rescue mutt named Peggy. You can find Malia online at maliamaunakea.com and @MaliaMaunakea on Twitter.