The Bones of the Kuhina Nui [Paperback]

Michael Herr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

For generations on The Big Island of Hawai'i a family has guarded the secret hiding place of the bones of the Kuhina Nui, the favorite wife of King Kamehameha. But now jealousy and envy couple with greed to produce murder. The family is torn apart and may never be whole again.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Herr spins a tale of history, mystery, family dysfunction and the value of family ties in an exotic setting. This is the first in his Kohala Coast Mystery series, and it is a fine debut. --Shirley Wetzel for OVER MY DEAD BODY, The Mystery Magazine Online

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.Com (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1411681061
• ISBN-13: 978-1411681064
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael A. Herr is not the author of Dispatches, but is the author of several fiction books set in the Hawaiian islands. Two of these books, "The Kauai Obake Bar" and "Is 'Chicken Skin' a Local Delicacy?", consist of a humorous series of short stories all set in and around a fictitious bar on the island of Kauai in the town of Kapaa. The rest of Mr. Herr's books make up a mystery/thriller series set along the Kohala coast of the Big Island. There the women of the Pono family seek to guard the centuries-old hiding place of the bones of Queen Ka'ahumanu, favorite wife of King Kamehameha. In the first book, "The Bones of the Kuhina Nui", greed and jealousy threaten to tear the Pono family apart. In the second book, "The Old Queen's Murder", a serial killer from New Orleans brings new trouble to the Pono family and the family loses a member. His third book, "The Old Queen's Treasure", connects a Chinese exploration ship from the 1400's to a modern day Chinese archeologist and the team from Stanford University that he is a member of. An earthquake and a new lava flow bring death to the team. Mr. Herr's fourth book, "The Old Queen's Guardians", deals with Hawaiian aumakua, spiritual guardans of a family; and also with a current problem, the growing of pakalolo or marijuana in the islands.

Mr. Herr has just completed the fifth book in this series, "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden". Set on Maui this time, this is the story of a woman buried long ago, and only recently has her body been found. Additionally it is a story of two brothers, their relationship with the same woman, and greed and betrayal. Next to "The Bones of the Kuhina Nui" this is probably the most compelling book of the series.

At the same time, Mr. Herr is working on a sixth book in the series. "The Old Queen and the King" which will bring the island of Kauai into the series.

Michael A. Herr is a retired educator, 34.5 years in service to the California schools, who has visited the islands for some 50 years. His wife was born and raised in Kaimuki on Oahu and together they have one son and two grandchildren. Mr. Herr collects weird and mysterious items including replicas of Hawaiian weapons. His office is a mess and he wouldn't have it any other way. He hopes you enjoy reading his books. He can be contacted at [e-mail]. His website is www.michaelherr.com. Mr. Herr is also on Facebook and loves to collect new friends. Aloha.

Mahalo all.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and Culturally Correct, November 6, 2008

By 

Gail Gomes "keanuenue" (Waianae, HI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bones of the Kuhina Nui (Paperback)

Just finished reading this first book in the "Kohala" series. GREAT mystery story (will keep you on your toes) but more importantly it is culturally correct. Many stories written about Hawaii leave out that important fact and make our legends and stories seem trite tho they are very important to our culture and beliefs.

Also details on Kohala town, driving around the Big Island are "spot on" (and makes me less homesick for my "hometown").

Great job all the way around and am looking forward to next book in the series!!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you like hawaiian mysteries, March 21, 2008

By 

V. A Ortiz "Forties wahine" (Tybee Island, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bones of the Kuhina Nui (Paperback)

I am always on the look out for books on Hawaii. When I discovered the first book of the series I was delighted. Just learned he has a new one coming out and I plan to get it. He has good descriptions of Hawaii and you learn a little of the culture as well. Entertaining.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Only a local could write a book like this, November 21, 2011

By 

Taryn - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bones of the Kuhina Nui (Kohala Coast Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)

As a lover of anything that has to do with the big island of Hawaii, I wasn't able to put this book down! Right from the very first page of the book, ancient Hawaiian culture is weaved into the story as the traditions of an Hawaiian burial event (Queen Kahu'umanu) is described step by step with extreme detail. The prologue sets the stage for the Pono family, who has been trusted with the secret knowledge of and looking after the bones of the Kuhina Nui. (I imagine this is where the fiction portion of the story begins.)

Although the mystery is captivating, the author's knowledge of both ancient Hawaii and modern day big Island are what truly sets this book apart from most other Hawaii-based fiction. I highly recommend this book to all, local or those of us that wish they were.