Hawai’i is blessed with a diverse population, in large part due to our sugar plantation history. Hard-working people from far away places as China, Portugal, Japan, Puerto Rico, the Korean peninsula, the Philippines, and Russia settled here, raising their families and contributing to what has become our unique local culture.

This is reflected in fifth-generation Japanese American Brandi-Ann Uyemura’s delightful debut picture book, I am a Bon Dancer.

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.

We are so pleased to talk story with Malia today.

Aloha e Malia! For those who haven’t met you, could you please tell us a little about yourself? 

My name is Malia Pila, and I’m an illustrator working primarily in picture books these days, but I have also worked in visual development for animation! I enjoy exploring different media and styles with my artwork whenever I can as well as researching niche things like historical costuming and the mythology of different cultures.

My biggest supporter for nearly 15 years now has been my (soon-to-be) husband. My career path has not been very clear or linear and even when I’ve had moments of self-doubt, he has always been at my side to help me back onto my feet and find inspiration again. 

Congratulations on your engagement! Where did you grow up? 

I grew up in a handful of different places. A large part of my childhood was spent between Hilo where my father is from and Kona, but we eventually moved to the mainland, and I spent my teen years in places like Florida and Arkansas.

Native Hawaiian author Malia Maunakea has done it again with book #2 in her Lei and the Legends series for middle graders. Her newest book, Lei and the Invisible Island, takes Lei and the gang on a sometimes wild, sometimes scary, but always fun and satisfying adventure.

Lei and the Invisible Island begins where Lei and the Fire Goddess leaves off. Just when it seems that Kaipo, her best friend and ʻaumakua, is safe, his pendant goes missing. Now the race is on to save Kaipo from oblivion.

The ever-resourceful Lei gathers her friends and takes the reader on an adventure that is ultimately indigenous at its roots. Yet today’s reader will find the story accessible because of its fresh, modern take on traditional legends.

All of the characters — Kaipo, ʻIlikea, Tūtū, new character Kaukahi — are very well developed, but I especially love the character of Lei, who is totally likable as the hero the story. Lei is relatable because she isn’t perfect. She is a fully fleshed out protagonist, a strong and creative leader who must deal with doubts and difficult decisions. It is clear that Lei has a heart and courage and is thoroughly invested to meet the dangerous task at hand.

I really like that story appeals to young readers in the respect they are shown. The book deftly carries the underlying message of hope and forgiveness that the reader comes to naturally in a fun and scary way that middle grader readers love.

The authenticity in Malia Maunakea’s voice shines through. I love her local and kanaka ʻoiwi references which are woven like a lei haku throughout the book. The use of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is truly wonderful, and Tūtū’s pidgin is spot on.

There’s something magical about children’s books written by Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island authors.

Until recently, stories about our communities told by our people were largely missing in children’s literature. Thankfully, the times are changing, and more voices are emerging to tell our own stories. The best of these narratives sing with heart and authenticity that comes from being rooted in the community.

Tala Learns to Siva is one of those stories. This delightful Pacific Island story by talented author Kealani Netane deserves a space not just on a child’s bookshelf but on school library shelves everywhere. 

I’ve missed you, my reading and writing friends! It’s been a little while since my last blog post, but that’s because I’ve been working on a couple of manuscripts. As Stephen King once said, When you’re writing, the book is boss. No kidding.

My debut picture book, Kaho’olawe: The True Story of An Island and Her People (illustrated by Harinani Orme) is scheduled for Spring 2025. And look what I found in Publisher’s Weekly Spring 2025 Children’s Sneak Peak issue! 

Author Valerie Bollingʻs picture books are always great choices for kids. Her colorful, lyrical early readers and picture books focus on the simple joys and triumphs of childhood.

Her first non-fiction picture book is a collection of biographical sketches, I See Color: An Affirmation and Celebration of Our Diverse World. Featured are leaders, many little-known to today’s kids, who have made profound impacts on the world. The collection’s short, engaging format makes it the perfect introduction of short biographies to children.

I am delighted that our own Native Hawaiian activist and scholar, the late Dr. Haunani-Kay Trask, is one of the featured unsung heroes! Haunani is presented in a lovely a two-page spread: a concise yet thoughtful passage highlighting her key contributions accompanied by a beautiful illustration. 

You know me. I LOVE books, art, and films that focus on the Native Hawaiian community and our Pacific Island cousins. I love them so much that my blog focuses on interviewing these amazing creators. As native peoples, our voices have traditionally been underrepresented. Thankfully, this is changing, with books by Native Hawaiian/Polynesian authors including Gabby Ahuli’i, Tammy Paikai, Malia Maunakea, Shar Tuiʻasoa, Brook Parker, and now, Kaylin Melia George, entering the market.

Aloha Everything is a beautiful, sweeping introduction to Hawaiian culture and history, especially helpful for those unfamiliar with the Native Hawaiian people.

 

It’s a fact of the marketplace that many picture books with the unfortunate timing of being released during the COVID pandemic were often not given the attention they deserved.

And that’s really too bad, because they merit space on our bookshelves.

Punky Aloha, the debut picture book by talented author/illustrator Shar Tuiʻasoa, is one of these hidden gems. Released in mid-2020 during the height of the pandemic, Punky is just the kind of delightful story kids — and their grown-ups — will love.

We meet little Punky Aloha with her best friend, her grandmother. They love to go on all kinds of fun escapades together. Punky tell us that she wasn’t always the brave adventurer she is now.