Introducing
Naupaka

Have you ever wondered why the delicate white flowers of the naupaka grow the way they do? Long, long ago, a love blossomed between two young villagers—Naupaka, a kind and beautiful Hawaiian princess, and Kau‘i, a handsome and gentle commoner.

Alas, society’s ancient ways did not allow them to be together. Follow along their journey as they seek to find approval from the gods and discover the fate that befalls them. Just as the lovers in this story, to this day, the naupaka blossoms of the mountains and the sea of Hawai’i bloom in perfect halves

Critical Acclaim For
Naupaka

"A lovely, authentic Hawaiian find — combining good storytelling, beguiling illustrations and a companion CD read by the late, beloved Nona Beamer, set to the gentle background music of her son Keola Beamer. 'Naupaka' is an ancient Hawaiian tale of a princess who falls in love with a commoner. The story is told in English with the Hawaiian translation by Kaliko Beamer-Trapp. Illustrated in rich, radiant block prints, a wonderful choice for holiday giving."
- Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii books for keiki readers, December 2008, by Jolie Jean Cotton

"In 'Naupaka' the beauty of the written and spoken word comes wrapped in world-class art by Caren Keala Loebel-Fried. Hot off the Bishop Museum Press, Naupaka is a long ago story about the love that blossomed between two young Hawaiian villagers. The tale is told in English and Hawaiian by one of Hawaii's most beloved cultural specialists, the late Nona Beamer. The book includes a CD by Beamer and her slack-key master son, Keola."
-Generations Hawaii, December 2008