Local

A Memoir

By: Jessica Machado

Narrated by: Mapuana Makia

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful, lush memoir about a Hawaiian woman who ran away from paradise to discover who she is and where she belongs.

Born and raised in Hawai‘i by a father whose ancestors are indigenous to the land and a mother from the American South, Jessica Machado wrestles with what it means to be “local.” Feeling separate from the history and tenets of Hawaiian culture that have been buried under the continental imports of malls and MTV, Jessica often sees her homeland reflected back to her from the tourist perspective—as an uncomplicated paradise. Her existence, however, feels far from that ideal. Balancing her parents’ divorce, an ailing mother, and growing anxiety, Jessica rebels. She moves to Los Angeles, convinced she’ll leave her complicated family behind and define herself. Instead, her isolation only becomes more severe, and her dying mother follows her to California. For Jessica, the only way to escape is a reckless downward spiral.

Interwoven with a rich and nuanced exploration of Hawaiian history and traditions, Local is a personal and moving narrative about family, grief, and reconnecting to the land she tried to leave behind.

©2023 Jessica Machado. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Mapuana Makia lends fluidity to this memoir's descriptions of Hawaii—its lush settings, legends and lore, and musical language. In contrasting tones, Makia delivers the painful history of colonialism and stereotyping of Hawaii as merely a tourist destination. Similarly, Makia gives listeners a felt sense of the intersectional issues faced by Machado through the juxtaposition of her proper, directive white Southern mother and her passive-seeming Indigenous father. Most memorable are Makia's vivid depictions of Machado's fierce rebelliousness and discomfort in a seeming paradise.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Narrator Mapuana Makia skillfully reads the historical sections of this memoir, enlivening them with her lyrical pronunciation of Hawaiian words. She brings out the passion in Machado’s telling of myth and legend and conveys Machado’s forthright approach as she shares her personal stories and history. A moving portrait of a woman navigating culture and identity, elevated by the use of beautiful Hawaiian language.”—Library Journal

“Mapuana Makia handles the story adeptly and has a deliberate clarity that helps the listener absorb sections exploring Hawaiian culture and mythology. Her commitment to that tone and pacing also makes clear the book is a memoir, handling the sometimes challenging subject matter as a retelling; never going too far to infuse dramatic flair. She instead lets the author's words carry the weight. This is not to say her read lacks depth or flavor, though. She's an excellent choice for the material.”—Booklist

Loved this!

I really enjoyed listening/reading this book. My Puerto Rican family is from Hawaii and I really enjoyed hearing about the history in this story telling way.

The only thing that would’ve made it better is a PLAYLIST!!!! I’m an 80s baby so all of her song references were spot on. I guess I’ll have to read again and make notes!

Authentic Aloha for all Things Local

I am a retired Maui teacher with kama’aina kids who can relate to this heartfelt story of real Hawaii and all things Local. Mapuana Malia read the Hawaiian words beautifully. I highly recommend this book.

Great story and narration, but…

I enjoyed the story and the narration is excellent, but I found the constant talk about and references to sex a bit monotonous.

A good sale book

I bought this because I’m always really interested in the Hawaiian culture. In that respect, I really learned a lot. The author’s story about her family was sad. What I could have done without is the details of her sex life; I don’t think it was necessary. Night life, boyfriends, partying, OK I get it. The rest, in my opinion, did nothing to enhance the story.

Interesting enough

I enjoyed listening to the descriptions of Hawaiian music, food, culture and diversity. It’s a raw story of a young girl’s life and discovering who she is and where she fits. The story takes you through to adulthood and parenthood. It involves her relationships with each parent and their lives. Pretty good listening.

great taste in music

I love all the references she gives about her taste in music, she really had impeccable taste in it and I love how she shared all her concert trips and music taste.

Her life wasn't easy and she is determined to live happily even if that means moving to another place only to find that no matter where she goes she carries her story behind and she has to make new stories to move forward and create new worlds.

the narrations by Mapuana Makia were great

Great narrator, good memoir

I listened to this over the course of a week, and was impressed by both story and narrator. I’ve read a number of memoirs set in the islands but this one seemed to really capture a vivid sense of place for the reader. Recommended!

Loved it

A great read. I didn’t want to put it down. I love her style with words and she’s brutally honest with humility and sarcasm.

A Memoir

This memoir may strike many Americans as exotic, it strikes me as the product of someone who has traveled a very rough road over many years.

Pure drivel

I wish I had read some of the reviews more closely before I bought this book. I was looking for something that described the culture and geography of Hawaii. This book is at times a tedious, self-absorbed recounting of teenage angst, the obligatory trashing of American life (strip malls, fast food outlets, you’ve read it a million times), and yet another condemnation of European settlement and the harm it caused an idyllic native culture. The descriptions of sex had by the author were raunchy without being in the least bit erotic. Perhaps they were included to show how strongly the author embraced promiscuity over any sort of authority or modesty. There was precious little about the people or the land of Hawaii. The only bright spot was the narrator. She was excellent. It’s just a shame her talents were wasted on this nonsense.