New York defined her, Hawaii changed her. From da Big Island is a senior coming of age, fish out of water, story about Ruth, a New York City television personality with a syndicated television series called From da Big Apple. She is a proponent of the New York Public Library's Reading is Fundamental program. Following a horrific automobile accident, Ruth inherits a house with a housekeeper on the Big Island of Hawaii. Depression and fans get to her where she cannot stand to be in the Big Apple and wants to be alone and have a peaceful life.

The need for change and the allure of the Hawaii beckons her. Ruth accepts the change, moving to the Big Island. She meets William, an at risk high school student who would rather surf than be in class, her neighbors, and attempts to deal with the pig issue, marijuana, and the customs of the Hawaiian Islands. She discovers life is vastly different than what she expected and alienates everyone. She gets what she wished for; to be alone.

Ruth has to choose to return to the Big Apple or accept the change and adjust to her new life on the Big Island of Hawaii. Accepting the change, she helps William and stars in From da Big Island, a local television program, which is nominated for an Emmy. She returns to New York for the Emmy ceremony and has to choose to remain in the Big Apple or return to the Big Island.