[3] Kirkus Reviews called Kapaemahu "a poignant monument to the power of hidden Indigenous histories", noting that the book "underscores the importance of preserving sacred spaces".

[1] Terry Hong, writing for Shelf Awareness, highlighted the book's illustrations: "Sousa's full-page bleeds and saturated palette of predominantly deep earth colors display potent images.

Light heightens Sousa's superb imagery: glowing golds underscore gentle strength; soft, wispy white captures healing energy."

Hong concluded that the illustration's "power continues to flow through transparent prose and magnificent visuals, gifting audiences with insights celebrating acceptance and inspiring strength".

[3] Elizabeth Bush, writing for The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, also praised the Sousa's illustrations, which "portray the healers as chiseled, monumental forms reminiscent of the stones that house their spirits".