Saving Nani

By Anna Friesen

Leialoha and Keilani, best friends and cousins, are the princesses of Okalani. While their titles indicate they might sit around in pretty dresses all day and attend tea parties, thats not the case for these two. They live in a beautiful palace on a tropical island, but like all girls around the world, they manage to get into plenty of mischief. Their goal is to stay in the good graces of the stern Queen Makaha.

Leialoha and Keliani plan to spend the last week before school starts having fun, including celebrating Leialohas twelfth birthday. They intend to explore the island and swim with Nani, a bottle-nosed dolphin. But on one of their expeditions, they discover a group of dangerous men on the island who have a mysterious purpose.

From humorous mishaps with the queen, to spying on the strangers and putting the clues together, the girls embark on a quest to save their beloved dolphins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: May 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781480847149

Anna Friesen

Anna Friesen loved reading adventure books when she was young, especially if they took place in exotic destinations. She has been to Hawaii twice and fell in love with the beauty and mystery of the islands, thus basing the fictional islands of Okalani on Hawaii. Anna now enjoys writing adventures books for her own young daughters.

Book preview

SAVING

NANI

Anna Friesen

33378.png

Copyright © 2017 Anna Friesen.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-4713-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-4714-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907343

Archway Publishing rev. date: 5/30/2017

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Pronounciations and Definitions

About the Author

OKALANI ISLANDS

Okalaniislandsimage.jpg

Nela & Lena

Our gifts from God

Chapter One

Dolphin.jpg

Happy birthday!

Leialoha smiled at her cousin (and best friend) and accepted the gift Keilani held out, adding it to the ever-growing pile. She lifted the skirt of her long pink gown and dropped into a low curtsy. Thank you, Princess.

Keilani swept her skirt to the side and dipped even lower. You’re welcome, Princess.

They both giggled as they straightened and linked arms. I thought you weren’t going to come, Leialoha murmured in her ear. I’ve been waiting all day. I thought you would get here in the morning!

We almost didn’t come, Keilani admitted. "The weather was really bad in Mauka, but Father said there was no way we were missing your birthday party. So we crossed the island and used one of our boats docked in Makai. Even there it was bad enough that even I considered not coming!"

Well, I’m glad you’re here. Leialoha smiled. "It wouldn’t be any fun without you. Especially since she’s watching my every move."

Keilani twisted to scan the crowd. Grandmother?

No. Leialoha stuck her nose in the air and struck a haughty pose. "Queen Makaha." The girls collapsed into a fit of giggles.

You sounded just like her. Keilani gasped, then froze. Her tan cheeks turned a near white. Your Majesty! she squeaked over Leialoha’s shoulder and dropped into a curtsy. I am so honored to be at Kaimana Palace once again.

Leialoha wished she were anywhere but here at this moment. She gave a weak smile as she turned around, half hoping that maybe her grandmother hadn’t seen her imitation. Her heart stuttered when she met the fierce black eyes. Good evening, Grand-

Queen Makaha gave a sharp slash of her hand. "You forget yourself, Princess Leialoha. You may not address me so personally in public, and I definitely hope to see no more… imitations. The whole island has come to celebrate your twelfth birthday, and I would wish you to behave accordingly."

Leialoha dipped her head in shame. Yes, Your Majesty.

Queen Makaha tilted her head, her dark eyes sweeping over Leialoha. Leialoha fidgeted, hoping her appearance would be met with approval. She had chosen a sleeveless gown with a cheery orange bodice and thin, layered pink tulle netting over the orange skirt. Colorful jewels were stitched on the bodice and down the front of her skirt. A headband with a pink flower was in her black hair which tumbled to her shoulders in beautiful curls.

She had felt so grown-up when she looked in the mirror, but now she suddenly felt really small again.

Queen Makaha gave a slight nod of approval, and Leialoha nearly wilted with relief. The queen turned to her cousin. And, Princess Keilani, though you are not yet twelve and have spent the summer on another island of Okalani, you are a part of the Kaimana royal family. We all have an image to uphold.

Keilani’s cheeks were red. I’m sorry, Your Highness. I shall do my best to remember.

Queen Makaha gave them one last fierce glare before sweeping past, the crown resting in her elegantly put-up hair catching the light from the chandeliers and glittering like millions of diamonds.

Keilani sighed. Does anything ever please her?

Shh! Leialoha hissed, glancing around. What if someone hears you say that? The people know her as a loving ruler of the Okalani Islands. We must never do anything to make them doubt that.

I know. Keilani leaned in to whisper in her ear. She just expects way too much from us.

Leialoha shook her head and smiled. Luckily, we’ve learned how to stay out of her way. So! Where did you get such a beautiful dress?

Keilani preened. It is rather gorgeous, isn’t it? she twirled, making the red skirt fan out. The rhinestones at the neckline and waist sparkled as she moved. I had it made just for your party. And one of the maids did my hair. Her dark hair was done up in fancy curls.

It’s perfect. Leialoha linked arms with Keilani once again. Come and help me welcome everyone to my party.

Leialoha stopped to smile and greet everyone who had come. Everyone wanted to wish her a happy birthday, and soon her head started to spin with all the birthday wishes and enthusiastic hugs. Most of the islanders had brought gifts, causing the mound on and around the big table set up in the ballroom to grow and grow. She was getting excited to go through that pile later!

A grizzled old man with stringy gray hair approached with a toothy smile. Happy birthday, Princess!

Leialoha smiled brightly. Mano! I am so glad you could come!

I would never miss it. Mano winked. But why do you not come to my shop anymore?

Leialoha glanced around nervously for her grandmother and lowered her voice. I have just been really busy lately, Mano, but I hope to be able to come by again soon.

Mano bowed and backed away. I would be honored to have you.

Keilani giggled and grabbed Leialoha’s arm. It’s so cute how much he seems to like us!

I know, but Grandmother has forbidden us to go there. Leialoha sighed. She says it is not proper for a princess to run so wild.

Keilani’s face fell. That’s awful! We always have so much fun there. That’s what I enjoyed most about spending the summer with my father; I was not watched so strongly across the water.

I am the queen’s oldest grandchild. Leialoha sighed again, picking at her skirt. I seem to be watched no matter where I am.

True. Hey! The food’s ready! Keilani waved at the long tables set up with dishes steaming from all the food within. Let’s fill a plate.

Leialoha lifted her skirt and hurried after her cousin. They both took a plate and joined the line. Her mouth watered just thinking about all the food that had been prepared. There was baked mahi-mahi, huli-huli chicken, teriyaki beef, barbequed shrimp, kalua pua’a… and then the side dishes, lomi-lomi salmon, baked sweet potatoes, poi, pipi kaula, and taro rolls.

There were also pineapple chunks, papaya slices, mangoes, coconuts, bananas, grapes, strawberries…. every fruit one could