The Bones of the Kuhina Nui — Michael Herr

First book in the Kohala Coast Mystery/Thriller series set on the Big Island. Haunani Pono, matriarch of the Pono family, has reached that point in her life when she must transfer the family responsibility for guarding the secret hiding place of the bones, iwi, of Queen Ka'ahumanu, favorite wife of King Kamehameha, to one of her four daughters. Along with this responsibility goes the family home and land. All too soon murder, inspired by greed and jealousy, becomes the order of the day. Add to this two Las Vegas mobsters, bent on collecting a debt, and you have a thrilling story set in Hawaii.