He Huli ʻUlaʻula: A Study in Scarlet

In January of 1886 I landed in Hilo, the largest city on the Island of Hawaiʻi, and for the first time met my cousin, Lydia Kamakaʻimiʻike Kāwau Holmes. Little did I know that meeting would emboil me in a series of adventures as outré as anything in a London crime paper, as my dear cousin strove to equal the skill and reputation of her distant relative-Mr. Sherlock Holmes!Kamaka's Father was Brother to my Mother, but the relationship had grown so distant that I was in greatest trepidation during the entirety of my voyage to her isles, and entirely unsure of what welcome I should receive. None in Worcester had mentioned this Uncle, nor his daughter, to me and so I was ignorant of the relationship until after the death of both my parents and I was instructed to pack all of my belongings and leave my dear home.In the ensuing years I came to love my newfound ʻohana, as family is called in the Hawaiian, and it has afforded me no little pleasure to tell of their adventures in the beautiful islands which became my own adopted homeland. Fevronia H. Watkins Through the eyes of Kamaka and Fevronia, the enchanting heroines of the story, the reader embarks on a journey to a transitional period in Hawaiian history; the author accurately recounts the social paradigm of the day into a tapestry of spectacular colors interwoven with mystery and a myriad of emotions! Lucia TaralloHistorianAuthor of "Daughters of Haumea" FROM THE FORWARD: As a Sherlockian, the father of five daughters, and a resident of Hawai'i, I am delighted that you, dear reader, have chosen to discover this unique version of "A Study in Scarlet." It is always a treat to read The Canon (the original 4 novels and 56 short stories about Sherlock Holmes) and the many pastiches it has inspired. But it is a further joy when young ladies are strong and clever as they come of age in such a story set in the late 19th century.In the spirit of The Grand Game played by Sherlockians around the globe, I feel a special obligation to recognize the "literary agent" involved with this effort. Her name is D. Leilehua Yuen and she is a fellow member of The Shaka Sherlockians of Hawai'i. Leilehua is a noted Hawaiian historian, educator, artist, and author. This is her first work of fiction-excuse me, her first foray into The Grand Game. As the literary agent Sir Arthur Conan Doyle brought to life the words of Dr. John Watson, so Leilehua Yuen brings to life the words of Miss Fevronia Watkins, chronicler of Miss Lydia Kamakaʻimiʻike Kāwau Holmes."He Huli ʻUlaʻula" (A Study in Scarlet) is a timeless adventure which will be embraced by both young adults and adults. The theme of friendship between cousins Fevronia and Kamaka shines through in much the same way it dominates and threads all the stories of The Canon. Readers will learn about life in late 19th century Monarchial Hawaiʻi, while reinforcing their love of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson.Yes, the game is indeed afoot...but this time in Hawaiʻi!Dr. Joseph T. Page Jr.Gasogene - The Shaka Sherlockians of Hawai'iAuthor of The Kingdom Queen: A Medieval NovellaNovember 2020 This retelling of a Sherlock Holmes story paints a vivid picture of Hawaii in the late 19th century, with the delightful twist of placing a teenage girl in the role of detective. The voice is charming, and the cultural, historic, and geographical details are engaging. But best of all are the characters. I fell in love with bold and clever Kamaka. I'm looking forward to reading her further adventures. Lisa NowakAuthor of The McCall Initiative and the Full Throttle series