Ellen here and I’m happy to welcome Tori Eldridge today. Her books always transport me to fantastic locations. I dare you not to dream of a trip to Kaua’i after her post today about her new release, Kaua’i Storm!
Malasadas, Feral Roosters, and Kaua‘i Storm
One of the best parts about writing a novel set in a glorious location like Kaua‘i, is the immersive research trip I am “obligated” to take. Ha! More like, I choose my book settings based on where I want to go! But seriously, although writing can be a grueling endeavor, the author life does have its perks.
E hele pū me aʻu—come with me—as I share a few highlights from my trips.
What I gain from a research trip depends on when in the writing process I visit my location.
With this book, I already had Kaua‘i firmly in my mind because our eldest son had married there a few years earlier. We spent a week swimming in Hanalei Bay, cruising around Kapa‘a, and driving around the island to Waimea for breathtaking lookouts and hikes.
The sights, sounds, and smells clung in my mind as I fleshed out my story and characters for Kaua‘i Storm. As a result, I didn’t feel the need to return until my book was fully written and entering its editorial pass. At that point, my main agenda was to photograph and record videos at various book locations so I could share them with my readers and enhance their experience.
This is a kalo (taro) field in Hanalei, similar to, but much grander in size than the lo‘i on the bank of Anahola River on the homestead where Makalani was born and raised.
And, of course, enjoy the ono food I had written about in my book!
Yes, these malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts) from Passion Bakery Café in Kapa‘a were as ono (delicious) as they look. The Passion Bakery chefs stuff them with a variety of Hawaiian fruit creams. Shown here are liliko‘i (passion fruit), haupia (coconut pudding), and my favorite, ube (purple yam).
After stuffing my face with my childhood comfort treats, I worked off a tiny fraction of those calories on a hike.
Since one of Ranger Makalani Pahukula’s big wilderness adventures takes place in Kōke‘e State Park, I retraced her initial steps by beginning at Pu‘u o Kila Lookout.
Note the painted rooster on this awesome tank top I found while shopping in Kapa‘a, then read this short excerpt from my book.
“Humidity hit Makalani the moment she stepped off the plane and enveloped her in the sticky, sweet scent of home. After the surprise cold snap in Portland, she welcomed the heat. She rolled down the rental car’s window and waited for a rooster to strut out of the road. The feral chickens ruled the island of Kaua‘i with prideful indifference. This one was no exception. Crowned in red, caped in gold, this bird’s brilliant teal plumes arched up and over from its rump like a cresting wave. It cocked its head toward Makalani, pecked twice at the asphalt, and moved on its way.
Hawaiian time.
One of many reasons Makalani had flown the coop before the ink on her high school diploma had dried.”
As you can tell from this lounging shot, Kaua’i’s ubiquitous “jungle fowl” even hung out at the beach!
Want to be swept away to Kaua‘i with me?
Visit my Kaua‘i Storm book club page to watch the On-Location Videos I shot during my trip and the Audiobook Narration Footage I shot during my five days in the recording studio while narrating Kaua‘i Storm. You’ll also find book discussion topics, the Pahukula family tree, and recipes for more delicious food!
And, of course, read and/or listen to Kaua‘i Storm, a deeply Hawaiian family drama and wilderness adventure featuring Ranger Makalani Pahukula and her marvelous multi-generational ‘ohana (family).
Readers, what entices you about Hawai’i?
TORI ELDRIDGE is the bestselling author of Kaua‘i Storm (Ranger Makalani Pahukula Mystery), Dance Among The Flames, and the Lily Wong thrillers—The Ninja Daughter, The Ninja’s Blade, The Ninja Betrayed, and The Ninja’s Oath. She has been nominated for Anthony (2x), Lefty and Macavity Awards, is an Academy Nicholl Fellowship semifinalist, and won the 2021 Crimson Scribe Award for Best Book of the Year. Born and raised in Honolulu of Hawaiian, Chinese, Norwegian descent, Tori has settled in Portland, Oregon, where her mo‘opuna (grandchildren) live. Before writing, she performed on Broadway, television, and film; and holds a 5th degree black belt in To-Shin Do ninja martial arts. Learn more about Tori and her books at ToriEldridge.com.
SYNOPSIS: After ten years as a national park ranger in Oregon, Makalani Pahukula returns to Kaua‘i for her grandmother’s birthday. Having been gone for so long, her disconnect feels profound, especially when she finds a bickering family and two younger cousins missing. When hunters find a dead body in the forest, Makalani fears the worst. Although her help may not be welcomed by family and locals, Makalani is determined to solve a mystery that poses a greater risk than anyone imagines. The responsibility is hers, because no matter how long she’s been away, family always comes first.
Chicks on the Case 
Those chickens aren’t only all over Kaua’i. Wild chickens live all over Oahu now. On our last visit home to Oahu and the Big Island, my husband and I were appalled at the huge numbers of chickens everywhere we went on Oahu – even in downtown Honolulu! I’ll be looking for Tori’s books!
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Even on O‘ahu? LOL! I saw them all over Hawai‘i Island during my research trip for my next Ranger Makalani Pahukula mystery, but I didn’t notice moa kāne roaming my home island last year. They’re taking ovah! hahaha
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Oh yeah, those chickens were all over the whole block with Iolani Palace, the State Capital, and the Hawai’i State Library. We went up to Tantalus, the chickens were there. We went to Blaisdell Park in Pearl City, and the chickens were there. Auwe! My sister lives on the Big Island, in Kapa’au – we didn’t see the chickens there.
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Tori, thanks so much for guesting! I adore Hawai’i. It’s so lush and green, and the trade winds are so lovely.
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Ah, the trade winds… so distinctive. I can almost feel them while I type. 🙂
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Well, I think you all know how very much I love Hawai’i–especially the the island of Hawai’i (aka the Big Island), where I live half time. For me, it’s the soothing trade winds and tropical rain as well as the “local style”–how friendly and relaxed the diverse collection of people who inhabit these beautiful islands are.
I’m excited to read your new book, Tori! Hoʻomaikaʻi!
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Mahalo, Leslie. I hope we can hang out together on my next trip!
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That would be swell!
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Ahhhh, thanks for the mini vacation! I love Kaua’i and your post was like a shave ice and a fresh breeze on a hike overlooking a waterfall. My number one favorite thing in Hawaii is the snorkeling, but I love all of it. Kaua’i is magical and a great setting for a book!
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“Shave ice and a fresh breeze…” LOVE this. 😀 And now I want to snorkel!
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Tori!!!! Thank you so much for spending time with us today. I love your post and the photos. Fun! Hawai’i is a gorgeous island but what really captivates me are the history and culture. I’m looking forward to reading Kaua’i Storm. Huge hugs!!!
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Thanks, Patricia. History and culture? You are going to LOVE Kaua‘i Storm!
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I’m sure of it!
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Hi Tori: What a wonderful place to be able to do research…looks like you’re having fun! Love the national park angle. And the cover is gorgeous. Thanks so much for visiting us today.
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Thanks so much! Mahalo for inviting me on your cool blog.
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What I love about Kaua‘i are those wild chickens! (Though I guess they’re taking over everywhere?) I’m also a big fan of the lush greenery and distinctive geographic aspects, like the red dirt of Waimea Canyon.
P.S. Those malasadas look huge…and delicious! Must try them or something similar at a future date!
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They certainly are! LOL. I, too, love the red dirt hills and cliffs of Waimea. So striking!
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Congrats on the book, Tori! The Hubby and I were just discussing a trip to Oahu, but I can’t sit on a plane for that long. I’ll have to read your book and enjoy the island life vicariously!
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It’s especially long if you’re traveling from the East Coast. But I can guarantee an immersive vicarious experience when you read Kaua‘i Storm!
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Yep, that’s where I’m coming from. It can take almost 8 hours just to get to LA, never mind the travel time from LA to Hawaii.
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Argh. I remember that trip well when I moved from Honolulu to New York City to perform on the Broadway stage.
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That’s one perk of living in LA… Now, when should I plan my vacation? 😉
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Tori, thanks for taking us on a mini vacation to Hawaii! And thanks for hanging out today with the Chicks!
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Tori, aloha! Sorry I’m late to the party, but wishing you a warm welcome to Chicks. It’s nice to meet you, and what a lovely post–I enjoyed my vicarious trip to probably one of the furthest points in the US from me here in New England (right now I’m on the tip of Cape Cod!). Your book sounds awesome–and I love that your MC is an OR park ranger. I’m headed to Portland later this month (hubby’s hometown).
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