Moloka'i

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness, death, and racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Throughout Moloka’i, Brennert balances the hardships of life with Hansen’s disease against moments of profound joy and community. How did this balance affect your experience of the novel? What emotions lingered with you after finishing it?

2. Moloka’i spans over seven decades of Hawaiian and world history. How effectively did Brennert weave historical events like the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, World War II, and medical advances into Rachel’s personal story? Which historical connections felt most meaningful? How does it compare to other works with a similar setting, such as James A. Michener’s Hawaii?

3. How does Moloka’i compare to other historical fiction that centers on individuals affected by illness or quarantine? If you’ve read Brennert’s sequel, Daughter of Moloka’i, what connections or contrasts did you notice between Ruth’s and Rachel’s stories?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Rachel finds solace and freedom in surfing and swimming throughout the novel. What activities in your life have provided similar moments of peace or transcendence during challenging times?

2. The novel portrays characters navigating conflicts between traditional Hawaiian beliefs and Christianity. Have you observed or experienced tensions between different cultural or spiritual traditions in your community? How have people bridged these divides?

3. Rachel’s relationship with her dolls evolves throughout her life, from childhood toys to meaningful symbols of connection. What objects in your life have carried shifting significance as you’ve grown?

4. Several characters in the novel, including Haleola and Dorothy, express that they live “in two worlds” (180). What resonated with you about this concept? Have you ever felt caught between different worlds or identities?

5. When Rachel reconnects with her sister, Sarah, and daughter, Ruth, after decades apart, they must navigate both their preexisting bonds and the ways they have changed over time. What makes reconnection after a long separation both challenging and rewarding?

6.  Which physical features of the Kalaupapa landscape most influenced Rachel’s development as a character? How has a significant place in your life shaped who you are today?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Moloka’i portrays the colonial takeover of Hawaii alongside the quarantine policies for Hansen’s disease. How does the novel illustrate connections between colonialism and public health policies? What contemporary parallels exist in societal approaches to illness and marginalized communities?

2. Hawaiian names and identity play an important role in the novel, particularly when Dorothy buries Kimo under his Hawaiian name rather than his Christian one. How does the novel portray indigenous cultural resistance in the face of Western influence?

3. The community at Kalaupapa develops its own culture, social structures, and moments of joy despite harsh conditions. What does this reveal about human resilience in the face of institutional control? What relevance does this perspective hold for other communities formed through exclusion?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Water and the ocean appear repeatedly throughout Moloka’i, from Rachel’s love of surfing to the devastating tsunami. How does Brennert use water as both literal setting and metaphor? What transformations occur through Rachel’s relationship with the sea?

2. Brennert develops the theme of family beyond biological connections through characters like Rachel, Haleola, Kenji, and Sister Catherine. How does the novel redefine what family means? What statement does this make about the nature of belonging?

3. The novel presents multiple mother figures for Rachel: Dorothy, Haleola, and Sister Catherine. How does each woman contribute to Rachel’s development? What different aspects of motherhood does each represent?

4. Consider the structure of Moloka’i, which spans 1891 to 1970. How does this expansive timeframe enhance your understanding of Rachel’s character? What narrative techniques does Brennert use to mark the passage of time?

5. Wounds and physical transformation recur throughout the novel as both literal realities and metaphors. How does Brennert use bodily changes to explore deeper themes about identity, stigma, and human worth?

6. The symbol of the pali (cliff) appears repeatedly in the novel. How does Brennert use this geographical feature to represent psychological and social barriers? What moments of climbing or transcending these barriers stand out in the narrative?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. How would you design a memorial ceremony for a character from Moloka’i to honor their specific cultural and personal journey? Which elements from the various traditions portrayed in the book would you incorporate?

2. What object from your life would tell your story in the way Rachel’s collection of dolls reflects her journey? How would this object capture your values and experiences?

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