I first met Kevin Kwan at Four Seasons Hualalai. Dressed in navy chinos and a short-sleeved button-down, Kwan exuded a low-key coolness, blending in seamlessly with the other well-heeled guests at the resort. But Kwan was not just another guest; he’s the acclaimed author behind the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy, a series that not only captivated millions with its satirical take on Asia’s ultra-wealthy but also sparked a cultural movement. This past summer, he was here for an intimate book signing for his latest novel, Lies and Weddings.

As he removes the dust jacket of his newest book to reveal its vibrant, ultramarine-esque cover, he explains, “That’s Yves Klein Blue. Only the first run of these books comes with the hardcover in this shade.” He chuckles, “It’s a costly pigment to make,” recalling his publisher’s hesitation. But Kwan was insistent: it was the shade he wanted. Finished with a scarlet endband “for luck,” it’s clear Kwan has an eye for detail. He’s the type who knows what he wants long before the rest of us catch on.

Kwan’s new book is already causing a stir, continuing his exploration of the lives of the rich, fabulous and conflicted. But this time, the journey begins on the Big Island. “I was supposed to be here for just six days, and I ended up staying for six weeks,” Kwan tells me, regarding the book’s origin. “I hadn’t been anywhere after the pandemic, and my friend invited me to spend New Year’s here. It was my first trip off North America, and it was such a relief to be somewhere that felt beautifully open.”

That unplanned Hawaiian sojourn was more than a vacation — it was a creative revival. “I started writing a chapter a day,” he says. “It just kept going. That’s gold. You don’t leave, you don’t stop.”

The island’s unique blend of natural beauty and laid-back luxury provided the perfect backdrop for Kwan’s imagination to run wild. His time here inspired the setting for Lies and Weddings, the second book in what he calls the “Cities Trilogy.” Originally meant to be set entirely in London, the novel took an unexpected turn, rooting part of its narrative in Hawai‘i’s rich, diverse landscapes.

Kwan’s passion for authentic storytelling shines through as he describes his process. Unlike many authors who rely on research from afar, Kwan prefers to embed himself in the locations he writes about. “I like to really experience places so you can write from a true perspective,” he explains. During his six-week stint on the Big Island, Kwan moved from one Airbnb to another, immersing himself in the local culture, exploring the landscape, and chatting with everyone from baristas to hotel staff. “I’m like a journalist, really,” he says. “I do really intense, embedded research when I come to places.”

This immersive approach is what gives Kwan’s novels their distinctive flair. In Lies and Weddings, readers will find themselves whisked away to a world of extravagant destination weddings, where the rich and powerful go to great lengths to celebrate — and to keep their secrets buried. “Where would a crazy, rich family set their wedding on the Big Island?” he asks, rhetorically. “It would be here, right?” He gestures around the tony resort, a knowing glimmer in his eye.

The book is more than just a glamorous escape, though. Kwan has a knack for weaving in deeper themes of identity and belonging. One of his new characters, Eden, a British-Chinese woman, experiences a cultural awakening in Hawai‘i, where she finds herself surrounded by people who look like her for the first time in her life. “She comes to Hawai‘i, and all of a sudden, she’s around all these people with similar skin tones,” Kwan says. “In her village in England, she was the only one, and here she’s mistaken for housekeeping. It’s these paradoxes and what happens when you take Asians outside of Asia that I love exploring.”

Kwan is acutely aware of the cultural significance of his work, especially following the blockbuster success of the Crazy Rich Asians film adaptation. “It’s unbelievable to meet all these random people — Cuban ladies, British aristocrats — who are obsessed with the movie and the book,” he laughs. “It’s like this new generation’s Pretty Woman.”

And it’s not just books and films anymore. Kwan is expanding his empire with new projects, including a sequel to Crazy Rich Asians, several TV spin-offs, and even a musical adaptation set to be directed by Jon Chu. “We’re busy trying to perfect the script for the sequel, and there are new stories being told in the TV spin-offs,” he reveals. “I’m so excited for what’s next.”

As we talk, it becomes clear that Kwan is more than a novelist — he’s a cultural ambassador, a storyteller who refuses to be boxed in. “I don’t want to be the only one having to do this,” he says, earnestly. “I want more Asian filmmakers and storytellers to have their stories amplified because we’re still at the infancy of this.”

And so, with Lies and Weddings, Kwan continues his mission: to entertain, to enlighten, and to showcase the vibrant, multifaceted tapestry of global cultures. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this latest novel is a passport to a world filled with humor, heart and just the right amount of scandal. As our conversation wraps up and he prepares for the book signing, it’s clear that Kwan is far from done telling the stories the world needs to hear.