A Story Carried by the Waves
Deep beneath the Island Moon, two sisters: Maharaya and Mahinaʻala are called to discover the gifts the sea has placed inside them. One is bold and bright, first to reach for the unknown. The other listens to the cove's hidden song and understands what others cannot yet hear. Together, they are unstoppable. Apart, they must find their way back to each other.
Rooted in the island heritage of Hawaii and the Philippines, this is a story about courage, identity, and the kind of love that lives between sisters, the love that holds even when the tide turns.
Perfect for bedtime reading, ages 4–10. Also beloved by parents who remember what wonder feels like.
island Roots
Woven from the stories, beauty, and spirit of Hawaiian and Filipino heritage — so every child of the islands feels recognized.
The Power of Sisterhood
Maharaya and Mahinaʻala show children that who you are — bold or gentle, loud or listening — is a gift, not a flaw.
Seen, Held, and Celebrated
Crafted for every child who has ever felt like a creature of two worlds — and deserved to be celebrated in both.
A Story-Weaver from the islands
Marilou Urbi grew up between the coral reefs of the Philippines and the volcanic shores of Hawaii, where she learned that the ocean carries stories the land has forgotten. She writes for every child who has ever felt like a creature of two worlds magical in both.The Island Moon Universe is her offering to the next generation: a place where tenderness is strength, where heritage is honored, and where every reader is invited to feel held, seen, and connected to something much bigger than themselves.
"Every tale, tool, and moonlit myth I craft is a dedication to the ones who came before me, the little ones growing beside me, and the communities I hope to uplift."