Honolulu Book Awards 2026 Recognize Remarkable Literary Contributions

In its third year, the HONOLULU Book Awards have honored five outstanding publications, surpassing the already high standards set by previous laureates. The local literary landscape continues to thrive as major publishers from outside Hawai‘i are increasingly interested in showcasing the state’s emerging authors.

This year’s selections, made from works released between mid-2025 and mid-2026, feature an all-time high of five titles from major publishers. As recognition of Hawai‘i’s narratives expands, more readers worldwide are taking notice.

Among the winners are T Kira Madden, who receives the Author of the Year award for her novel Whidbey; Alicia Upano, recognized for Book of the Year about Hawai‘i with Everything to the Sea; Christine Kuehn for the Nonfiction Book of the Year with Family of Spies; debut author Mariah Rigg for Extinction Capital of the World; and Shay Kauwe as Author Under 35 for The Killing Spell.