Ohana Means Family

Join the family, or ohana, as they farm taro for poi to prepare for a traditional luau celebration with a poetic text in the style of The House That Jack Built. Now available in paperback.

"This is the land that's never been sold, where work the hands, so wise and old, that reach through the water, clear and cold, into the mud to pick the taro to make the poi for our ohana's luau."

Acclaimed illustrator and animator Kenard Pak's light-filled, dramatic illustrations pair exquisitely with Ilima Loomis' text to celebrate Hawaiian land and culture. 

The backmatter includes a glossary of Hawaiian terms used, as well as an author's note.


A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editor's Choice

Ilima Loomis is an award-winning author and journalist who's contributed to publications including Science, Science News for Students, and National Geographic Traveler. She is based on Maui, Hawaii.

Kenard Pak has illustrated several picture books, most recently, The Fog by Kyo Maclear and Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter which Pak both wrote and illustrated. He has worked as an artist on many films with Dreamworks, Walt Disney Feature Animation and Laika. Pak lives and works in San Francisco, California.