We’re so excited that KAHO’OLAWE: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ISLAND AND HER PEOPLE is on the New York Public Library Best Books 2025 List for Children’s Nonfiction!
So very grateful that Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People is on the School Library Journal Best Books 2025 List for Nonfiction Elementary!
Talk about a dream come true. KAHO’OLAWE: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ISLAND AND HER PEOPLE is a featured book at Barnes & Noble.
I thrilled to share that my picture book biography, AT THE WATER’S EDGE, about the amazing Native Hawaiian seaweed scientist Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott, has been officially announced at Publisherʻs Weekly!
Last Friday illustrator Harinani Orme and I had the coolest school visit! Mahalo to Pearl Ridge Elementary school librarian Lori Tonaki for inviting us to share the book with the school’s four classes of fourth graders. The students were the perfect audience — attentive and curious. Librarians have always been my heroes, and Ms. Tonaki is the kind of creative and supportive school librarian every child deserves. What a bunch of akamai kids! They asked the best, most thoughtful questions — like why I like to write non-fiction and what the hardest thing about being a writer is. They asked Harinani when she knew she wanted to be an artist and what inspires her to create her illustrations. It was so fun for us to interact with these bright, thoughtful students.
On Saturday February 8, 2025, we held an epic book launch pāʻina — party. Our host was the wonderful Native Books, a Native Hawaiian owned bookshop located in the Historic Chinatown District in Honolulu. Thank to owner Maile Meyer and her staff, especially Kūakoloa Robinson, the event was magical. The space was filled with so much aloha, thanks to our many family and friends.
You are cordially invited to the official book launch of Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People at Native Books (1164 Nuʻuanu Avenue, Chinatown Historic Arts District) on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 11 am — 1 pm. Harinani Orme, the book’s wonderful illustrator, and I plan to share about the book’s journey to publication in a relaxed, talk story-type format.Maile Meyer and the good folks Native Books have graciously offered to donate a portion of the proceeds of books sold during the event to the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Mahalo nui!
I like to think I’m a wordsmith. I can often take an idea and work to find the best words to tell a story I hope my young readers will love. But a children’s book is way more than words. Beautiful illustrations are key to making well-written stories and turning them into visual magic for young readers. Talented Native Hawaiian illustrator Malia Pila is one such magician. Her charming, gorgeous images have a cinematic aesthetic that young readers and their grownups love.
2024 — what a productive year! A lot happened in my writing life this year, and I am so very grateful.
