After a full day of travel, Tim and I finally landed in Chicago for the American Librarians Association (ALA) Convention to be held the weekend of June 26 through the 28. Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People, illustrated by Harinani Orme, was being honored with the APALA (Asian Pacific ALA) Pasifika Picture Book Award! Hundreds of vendors and thousands of people filled the vast McCormick Center. On our first day, we made a beeline to Lerner’s exhibition space where I finally met my dream editor, Carol Hinz, in person! I got to meet authors I’ve followed for years, including Carole Boston Weatherford (Unspeakable), Miranda Paul (One Plastic Bag), Jilanne Hoffman (The Ocean’s Heart) and illustrator Lauren Tamaki (Seen and Unseen), as well as new friends Calvin Alexander Ramsey (The Library in the Woods) and Florence Migga (Summer Scrapbook.)

The whirlwind weekend culminated in the awards banquet at the New Furama at Chicago’s historic Chinatown. The restaurant reminded me of home, and so it was the perfect venue for what felt like a family reunion rather than a formal banquet. The space was filled with so much aloha, thanks to our new friends. A very special mahalo to the team at Lerner Books, who were there to cheer us every step of the way: Carol Hinz, Adam and Maryann Lerner, Andy Cummings, Megan Ciskowski, and Lindsay Matvick. 

Harinani and I are so thankful for the honors our book has received. Our hope is that more kids will learn the story of Kahoʻolawe and how the little island and her people continue to thrive.

Please enjoy a few photos from the convention. Mahalo nui!