VOL.84/2025.07

Aloha, My Moms (Changbi Publishers) is a heartfelt portrait of the marriage, settlement, and hardships of the first generation of Korean immigrants through the lives of eighteen-year-old Buddle and the women who staked their lives on a single photograph. The promised paradise of Hawaii was not as sweet as sugar cane, and there were no fences to protect their happiness on the island called “paradise on earth.” But, Buddle, Hongju, and Songhwa become friends, mothers, and family, respecting and caring for each other. The three women lead a community of women ahead of their time, realizing the power of solidarity in a strange land. Despite life’s challenges, these three women battled to build a home for their children, and perhaps in their own way, they created a paradise in Hawaii. Aloha, My Moms pays tribute to their fiery lives and leaves the reader with a desire to give them a lei, a traditional Native Hawaiian flower necklace.

A story of three generations of mothers and daughters growing up through modern Korean history

Hawaii is a beautiful island that never ceases to inspire and amaze, but amidst its spectacular scenery, there are people living a tough life. As long as life goes on, no matter how heavenly a place is, you can’t spend all your time soaking up the scenery. Sometimes, even beautiful landscapes seem distant in the face of a harsh and demanding daily life. Nevertheless, humans are the ones who have the incredible power to not give up, to continue living, and to make love blossom within them. From Sisun (Munhakdongne) tells the story of three generations of women: Shim Sisun, who survived the tragedy of the Korean War and went in search of a new life; her daughters, Myunghye and Myungeun, who lived through the last part of the 20th century; and her granddaughters, Hwasoo and Wooyoon, who are living in the 21st century. The story begins on the tenth year of Shim Sisun’s passing, when the four half brothers and sisters, along with their grandchildren, gather in Hawaii for a jesa (ancestral rite). Based on the unique Korean culture of jesa, the novel depicts women growing up in their own way through the unique idea of “a set up where everyone brings an object, memory, or food to be put on the table.”

In the novel, Shim Sisun is portrayed as an independent woman who defied conformity and forged her own life in the face of the violence and oppression of her time. The Hawaiian life she encountered was unfamiliar, harsh, and as bitter and uncomfortable as foreign coffee. Hawaii was no easy land for a woman from a tiny country in the East; however, the three generations of mothers and daughters that sprouted from the island grew into strong, vital beings, each writing their own story. Their lives are still as hot and dynamic as the fiery Hawaiian volcano, and they are connected to the strong maternal love of Korean women. Perhaps From Sisun is a tribute to the unique way Korean women handle life.

652 days of seeing the world through Hawaii

In Korea, there was once a craze for “living away,” where people left their daily routine and lived in a new place for a while. The time spent in an unfamiliar space, away from familiar surroundings, was a journey to take a step back, reflect on oneself, explore the direction of the life one truly wants, and find peace of mind and happiness. This “living away” craze expanded its reach beyond Korea. This is the story of someone who was not satisfied with just traveling to Hawaii, a paradise on earth, but actually lived there and enjoyed it on a deeper level. It’s Life in Hawaii (Viche Books), written by a couple who spent 652 days on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Life in Hawaii is the story of a married couple, Seon Hyun-Kyung - the writer and Lee Woo-Il - the illustrator, about their time living in Hawaii. Since this book is written from the perspective of living in Hawaii rather than as a traveler, there are no tourist attractions, restaurants, or shopping tips. Instead, it is a collection of thoughts and reflections on life in Hawaii and everyday experiences, written and illustrated with as much warmth as the Hawaiian sunshine. With more than 200 illustrations that bring Hawaii to life, Life in Hawaii will make you feel nostalgic and long for the islands. The unfiltered story of a couple who lived, wrote, and drew in the waves, and how they lived life to the fullest in Hawaii, is a special gift that brings the island closer to readers.

The Hawaii we see through these books is far more complex and colorful than the fragmented picture we have of it. It’s a land of glorious beauty, but also of painful and bitter history. So, perhaps this is why we get to look deeper into Hawaii, and, in the process, see and feel the real Hawaii, and truly fall in love with this beautiful, heavenly island. Whatever your reason for choosing Hawaii as a destination, the island never fails to impress and fill travelers’ hearts with excitement. From the enchanting landscapes that exude the earth’s vitality, to the hot breath of still active volcanoes, to the stunning and mesmerizing spaces that nature has created, Hawaii is on everyone’s bucket list to travel to or live in. It’s up to you to decide how you want to enjoy and experience this fascinating and beautiful island.

Written by Kim Young-Ihm