Splintered Paddle
Orphaned and without a heritage when his father and grandfather are sacrificed to the war god Ku, seventeen year old Kalani Tana must attend the warrior school in Kona to learn martial arts, be heroic in war and achieve the status of a "black land chief." Failing in this goal Kalani's remaining family faces slavery.
Injured in a combat with Hauna, a brutal fellow student, Kalani is cared for by a slave boy, Minato. From Minato he learns that war has made his family slaves and that it may cost him his life. Fearful of war and its consequences, but impelled by love for Kalani, Minato and his father teach Kalani the warrior art. The slaves pray that should Kalani gain status, he will help them. Kalani vows to the star Arcturus to end slavery and human sacrifice.
When Kalani is seduced by the wife of Chief Makula, complications develop. The chief discovers the infidelity and plots with Hauna to destroy Kalani Tana. Escaping death twice, Kalani defeats Hauna in a warrior competition and meets King Kamehameha.
Impressed by his skill, Kalani is enlisted by the king into his army. Guns are being sold to the natives by Western ship captains. From two captured sailors Kalani learns to be a musketeer and helps Kamehameha win a war on Maui.
Yet trouble brews on Hawaii Island. Hauna, Makula, and the king of Kau plot to destroy Kamehameha. A series of battles result for control of the island.
Seriously injured in an epic duel within the smoke and flowing lava of a volcanic eruption, a disillusioned Kalani debates his decision to be a warrior. Meeting a priest of Lono, Kalani considers becoming an acolyte of the god of peace.