We chat with author Malia Maunakea about The Shark Prince, which is a sharp new fantasy about a Hawaiian boy who can transform into what people fear most: a shark.
Hi, Malia! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of Lei and the Fire Goddess?
Busy! I sent my oldest child to college and my youngest is going to be a junior in high school. I’ve been visiting schools all over while continuing to write. I have 2 more books out in the world!
Your latest novel, The Shark Prince, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Eating missing teammates? Hope not!
What can readers expect?
Readers will laugh! They’ll cry! They’ll gasp in surprise at the ending! Okay, maybe they won’t cry, but the other will hopefully happen, all while enjoying another great Hawaiian legend that deals with some of the challenging realities that Hawaiʻi residents face, like being priced out of paradise and the pressures of development.
Where did the inspiration for The Shark Prince come from?
I was doing a school visit on the west side of Oahu and showed the students a slide of LEI AND THE INVISIBLE ISLAND cover. They got so excited about the shark, and asked if it was Nanaue. When I said it wasn’t, they exclaimed that I needed to write his story, since he is from their side of the island. This book is for them.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Notch, a playful seal wise beyond her years. Her interactions with Nohea were fun to explore, especially since she doesn’t always understand how humans might react to her antics.
What’s your pitch to parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians in getting The Shark Prince into the hands of readers?
There are two parts to this answer. First, the parents, caregivers, teachers, and librarians should know that while this is a page-turner about sharks, blood, magic, wild twists, and even wilder waves, perfect for grounded fantasy lovers, it is also a story about male aggression and mental health: Statistically, boys in America report higher rates of mental health issues and are less likely to seek help. This novel seeks to combat that with its nuanced discussions on male generational trauma, emotional availability, and the assertion that boys can and should cry.
Second, they could tell their readers that for fans of PERCY JACKSON, LUCA and LILO & STITCH comes a Hawaiian-set action adventure about a boy with a fixed fate. THE SHARK PRINCE follows Nohea, who has always known that he is destined to follow in his absent father’s footsteps (or fins) and become the thing people, and his mother, fear most: a shark.
But before that happens, Nohea risks it all to join the school surfing team in hopes of winning enough to save his family’s home. When surfers start to go missing, Nohea begins to fear he may be the reason why.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Oh many! But I’ve gotten very good at pivoting. I try not to fall too in love with any aspect of the story until I know it’ll wind up in the final edition, so if I need to cut out massive chunks or rewrite sections, it doesn’t break my heart. In this story I needed to change one key idea I had from Nohea living on Hawaiian Home Lands to kuleana lands and shifted my research from one to the other. Just don’t get attached to anything until the ink is dry and the book is published.
This is now your third novel! Are there any key lessons you’ve learned since your debut in 2023 when it comes to writing and publishing?
I’m learning so much! Character development is still something I struggle with the most, but now I know it is an iterative process for me. The character takes form slowly as I learn who they are over the journey. While I might have a relatively good handle on the plot, discovering who is driving the story is always an exciting adventure.
What’s next for you?
Enjoy summer with my family then back into the world of imagination and legends! This is my first time in five years that I’m not under deadline for a project, so I’m relaxing.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
YES! This is the year for debut Hawaiian authors! Check out Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adamsʻ An Expanse of Blue (gorgeous YA novel in verse), Keala Kendall’s YA gothic horror That Which Feeds Us, and Shay Kauwe’s The Killing Spell (adult mystery)!
