Hawaiʻi Archives - Kamalani Hurley

Kahoʻolawe is a Social Justice Literature Awards Honor Winner, 2026

September 25, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

Social Justice Literature Award 2026 Non -Fiction Picture Book Honor Winner

Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People is the little picture book that could!

The picture book Kaho’olawe traces the island’s roots, from its birth through the 50+ years fight for social justice led by the members and volunteers of the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana. Their selfless dedication and sacrifice continues to resonate today.

We are delighted that Kaho’olawe has been named an honor winner in the nonfiction category of the 2026 SJLA by the Literature & Social Responsibility SIG of the International Literary Association.

This award celebrates outstanding books that address social and ecological responsibility and encourage action by their readers.

Mahalo nui to the ILA for honoring the story and including the book in its illustrious list!

The author has pledged 100% of her book sales proceeds to the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana. Mahalo nui to Carol Hinz and the team at Millbrook/Lerner!

Interview with Native Hawaiian Author/Poet Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

Growing up as part of the Native Hawaiian diaspora means constantly navigating the space between two worlds. It means holding onto your roots while living miles away from the pae ʻāina. Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams is an up-and-coming talent who deftly captures that delicate, emotional balance. Named “a new voice to watch” by Kirkus Reviews, her poetry weaves images of modern life with inherited indigenous wisdom.

In this post, we sit down to talk story about her creative process and how being a native storyteller is key to understanding her as a poet.

Welcome, Kaua! For those who havenʻt met you yet, please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams, and I am an author and poet of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and European descent originally from the Pacific Northwest. Today, I live in North County San Diego with my lovely husband, Charlie and our two pups, Guava and Lei.

I earned my BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) and my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

I’ve published poems and short stories in several different anthologies and collections, including my poem, HAWAIIAN BABY FOOD CIRCA 1997 which was a finalist for the 2024 Steve Kowit Poetry Prize and my short story in verse, BRAVING THE STORM, which appears in the Printz Award anthology Legendary Frybread Drive-In (Heartdrum). My debut novel, AN EXPANSE OF BLUE (Heartdrum), hit shelves on May 19.

When I am not writing, I am a haumana hula (hula student) as well as the Director of Programs for a local non-profit that provides access to Native Hawaiian cultural education to the San Diego County community. I also enjoy sitting in the sun, daydreaming, taking the occasional hot yoga class, eating cheese and crackers for dinner, and spoiling my dogs rotten.

Love it! Do you consider yourself an author or a poet? How did you know that you had such a talent for creative expression? Did you always want to write?

I like to think of myself as a storyteller and poet first and an author second, because it is my career as an author which allows me to pursue my passion for telling stories and writing poetry.

I think that many authors, especially debut authors such as myself, struggle with Imposter Syndrome. So it is hard for me to point to a time when I discovered my talent for creative expression because I am still trying to convince myself that I do have a talent for it! I will say though, the time that I have felt most proud of my ability to tell stories was when I started getting messages in response to my short story in verse, BRAVING THE STORM. A lot of Native readers reached out to me to let me know they felt really seen by that story, which is the highest compliment I can receive.

And YES, I have always known I wanted to write. I’ve been telling stories for as long as I can remember. Publishing a book of my own has been a lifelong dream. I am so humbled and honored that I get to see that dream come to fruition.

I love your poem, BRAVING THE STORM, in the multi-award winning anthology edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. I admit that when Papa encourages Nohealani to “go be brave,” I was so touched, I started bawling. Can you talk about this poem and how it came about? Are you more like Marley or Nohealani (or both? Or neither?)

I am so sorry I made you cry! To be honest, I cried a lot when I wrote that part too.

I wrote BRAVING THE STORM to honor the memory of my own papa who passed away in 2019. This story was a personal one, which made it both easy and difficult to write. I had to reckon with a lot of my own lasting grief around the death of my grandfather and find a way to channel it into a story for young readers. Writing the story in verse really helped me achieve that goal. When I’m writing poetry, I find it so much easier to be vulnerable and honest.

Oh, I am totally a Marley! I love to make lists, I can get quite anxious sometimes, and I absolutely hate driving in the rain. But Nohealani is who I think I am in the process of becoming. Someone who feels fear but chooses to be brave anyways, someone who embraces their Hawaiian name, and someone who loves their kūpuna fiercely and refuses to let their memory fade even once they are gone.

Your debut YA book, AN EXPANSE OF BLUE, earned a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly – congratulations! Without giving too much away, what is it about?

Mahalo nui loa! AN EXPANSE OF BLUE is a young adult verse novel about 17-year-old Aouli Elizabeth Smith’s journey towards self-discovery, cultural reconnection, and first love in the wake of uncovering a heartbreaking secret about her father.

What characteristics do you love about the protagonist? Is she modeled after someone specific?

I know I am biased, but I love everything about Aouli. I especially love her humor, her angst, her desire for freedom, and her deep appreciation for her culture, her ancestors, and her kūpuna.

In some ways I modeled her after myself as a teenager. An advisor of mine at Vermont College of Fine Arts, Jennifer Ziegler, told me once that it was impossible not to put a little bit of ourselves into every character that we write. I think that touch of oneself in the art they create is really what brings it to life. I will say I think Aouli is much braver than I ever was but her innate longing for connection is definitely one I identify with and used to shape her emotional arc through the story.

Is there a particular scene or passage you’re incredibly proud of?

Definitely the Stations of the Cross scene. I based each poem off of different stations (though I purposefully didn’t include every station because there are…a lot!). Using the steps of Jesus’ journey to shape Aouli’s own moment of transformation forced me to really think about each poem in a way I hadn’t yet in the writing process thus far. The outcome made for one of my favorite scenes in the whole book.

What surprising discoveries did you make during the writing process?

That it is okay to let your characters speak for themselves. Sometimes, as authors, we really want our characters to do something specific. But a lot of times, they’re going to push back! Let them, follow their voice, allow the story to unfold how it must rather than how you think it should.

What was your favorite part of writing your novel?

Getting to play with space and layout! Poetry doesn’t have to be just organized stanzas and clean line breaks. I especially loved writing all of my concrete poem, where I made shapes with words on the page to deliver a layered message through both what is actually being said and the image created.

Bonus favorite part was writing the romance between Aouli and Nalu. Love, in all its forms, is always the best part of any story in my opinion.

That makes two of your works thus far at Heartdrum. Did you work with Cynthia Leitich Smith both times? What was it like working with her?

I actually have three at Heartdrum! My debut picture book WE ARE HAPA, which will be illustrated by Malia Pila (Native Hawaiian/Kanaka Maoli), will be published by Heartdrum sometime in the fall of next year. And yes, I’ve worked with Cyn on each project, as the anthologist for LEGENDARY FRYBREAD DRIVE-IN and as Heartdrum’s author-curator for both AN EXPANSE OF BLUE and WE ARE HAPA.

Working with Cyn is a dream. She is a magical storyteller, an incredible educator, and a most-appreciated mentor. I am grateful to her dedication to uplifting Native storytellers and for the community she’s built of Native writers that I have found a home within. She believed in AN EXPANSE OF BLUE when I didn’t, and I will never be able to express just how thankful I am to her for that support and confidence.

Thatʻs wonderful. Do you have any experiences as a Native Hawaiian writer and poet that you might share with our readers?

I have been so touched and frankly, a bit shocked, by the outpouring of love and support I have received from early readers of AN EXPANSE OF BLUE. This experience has shown me that people want Kanaka stories and that just makes my heart really full.

Can you share a bit about what you’re working on next?

I am working on another YA verse novel while also going through the editorial process with my fantastic editor, Rosemary Brosnan, of my forthcoming picture book WE ARE HAPA (Heartdrum).

Canʻt wait! What’s one writing rule you believe in and one you think is made to be broken?

Believe in: Write what you know, though this shouldn’t limit what genre you write in. Writing what you know doesn’t just look like writing about your own life. It also looks like infusing your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences into stories of any genre!

Break: Write everyday. Some people thrive with a consistent writing schedule. For me, I need the flexibility to write some days and spend others filling the creative well by daydreaming, resting, dancing hula, and spending time with friends and family.

Absolutely! What advice would you give aspiring writers? What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were starting out?

Read. Read widely across form, genre, and time. Don’t just read the type of books you want to write. You will learn so much more if you push yourself to branch out. And keep a pen with you while you read, write in the margins (use sticky notes if renting from the library of course or borrowing from a friend). Or if you prefer audiobooks or e‑books, keep notes in your phone or in a journal. However you do it, take notes! Make note of favorite lines, moments that make your heart stop, scenes that you know you will think about for a long time to come. By engaging with what you read you are better shaping yourself as a writer.

This is truly great advice. What’s your online presence? And how can readers show their support?

You can find me on Instagram and Threads at @kauawrites and on my website kauamahoeadams.com. Readers can show their support by ordering their copy of AN EXPANSE OF BLUE from their favorite bookseller and by requesting that their local library order a copy for their collection if they haven’t already. And if you love AN EXPANSE OF BLUE and want to post about it, tag me!

Mahalo nui, Kaua, for such a fun interview! We canʻt wait to read more from you soon! To learn more about the poet, including her upcoming works, visit her website and follow her on social media.

Image credit Marie Monforte, courtesy of Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams.

Kahoʻolawe is a New York Public Library Vibrant Voices 2026 Selection!

August 20, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

In a world full of wonderful libraries, the New York Public Library is a true gem. This magnificent institution offers 400,000 children’s books and other literature materials and world-class educational programs and research facilities. We were honored that Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People had been selected by NYPL as one of its best nonfiction books for 2025.

Now imagine our delight that Kaho’olawe has just earned a place on the New York Public Library’s Vibrant Voices Kids Books 2026 list! We are so grateful to be included on this wonderful list of books!

All proceeds benefit the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana. Mahalo nui to Carol Hinz and the team at Millbrook/Lerner!

Interview with Hawai’i Author-Illustrator Kelsie Dayna

August 19, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

Freelance artist and illustrator Kelsie Dayna has a new title to add to her list of accomplishments: author-illustrator! Her alphabet board book, From Aloha to Zippy’s (Bess Press, 2026) reimagines Carol Colbath’s original with gorgeous art and ʻōlelo Hawai’i.

We are delighted to talk story with Kelsie.

Aloha, Kelsie, and congratulations on your debut children’s book! Could you please introduce yourself for those readers who haven’t met you yet? Where did you grow up? What high school did you grad from?

Mahalo! My name is Kelsie Dayna. I am a freelance artist and illustrator in Honolulu. I was born and raised here on ‘Oahu. I graduated from Maryknoll High School. Go Spartans!

I studied for a year at the University of San Francisco, before returning back home and finishing my bachelor’s degree at UH Mānoa, Shidler College of Business.

How did you get into illustrating? Was it something that you studied or did it blossom from a passion? What made you decide to start writing children’s books?

I have always loved art, but it wasn’t something I ever took seriously or even considered as a career choice. I didn’t study art formally or take classes–my path into illustration was much more organic (and some might say, accidental).

After graduating with a business degree, I began working an office marketing job, but I was laid off during the pandemic. It was a challenging and uncertain time, and I found myself turning to art as a way to cope with everything I was going through.

What started as a personal outlet gradually became something more. I began sharing my art–and my journey–online, and over time, that led to new opportunities that eventually allowed me to transition into illustration full-time.

As for children’s book, it felt like a natural extension of my work. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and fun, colorful imagery, and children’s books offered a space where those elements could really come together in a meaningful way.

Your book, From Aloha to Zippy’s, is described by your publisher, Bess Press, as a reimaging of the classic 2007 book. How did you get involved in the project? What was the journey like?

I was lucky enough to work with Bess Press a few years ago on another project, so being asked to reimagine their beloved From Aloha to Zippy’s was such an exciting opportunity.

The process was one of the smoothest and most enjoyable projects I’ve ever worked on, thanks to the incredible team at Bess Press. From our first meeting to the final drafts, the project took about a year. We took our time brainstorming and exploring ideas, and I’m thrilled with how fun and fresh everything turned out.

When you began work on the book, what do you do first? Character design? Page layout? Or just explore setting?

Since this book is a reimagining of the 2007 edition, our first step was to rethink how each page would function visually. We knew we didn’t want to simply replicate the original photos with illustrations, so we approached it as a fresh start.

Once we decided to structure each letter as its own scene, that framework became a helpful guide for the entire process. From there, I looked at the list of words for each letter and tried to piece together a local Hawaii setting that could naturally incorporate them.

Each page was a creative workout to design compositions that worked within the unique constraints of each letterform. Balancing readability, visual interest, and storytelling within those shapes really pushed me to think more intentionally about layout and flow.

The board book includes a number of Hawaiian language words for each alphabet. How did you decide which words to include? And how did you choose the specific objects or characters for each letter?

Choosing the list of words for each letter was one of the first tasks we tackled, before any illustration or artwork began. Some letters have a lot of word possibilities, while other letters were much more limited, so it was a challenge to create a balanced, cohesive experience from page to page.

What ultimately helped pull everything together was the idea of treating each letter as its own scene or vignette. That approach allowed me to thoughtfully incorporate the chosen words by building a visual story around them—placing objects and characters in a way that felt natural and engaging.

That shift was a real turning point for me, creatively speaking, and I believe it’s one of the most unique aspects about the book.

Your illustrations have a joyfulness to them and are incredibly fun. What’s the inspiration for them? How did you hone your personal illustrating style?

A lot of the joy in my work comes from wanting to create the kind of imagery that feels inviting and approachable. I’m inspired by simple, everyday moments and little things that spark nostalgia.

I think most creatives will agree with this, but I feel like I’m still honing in on my style. And to be honest, I’ll probably be on that quest forever. My style today didn’t happen overnight but came through a mix of experimentation and consistency. I’ve explored different techniques, colors, compositions and eventually noticed patterns in what I gravitated towards. Honing in on my style has been less about forcing something specific and more about refining what already felt true to me.

What is the most rewarding aspect of creating an alphabet book for children?

I am happy knowing the book can be part of a keiki’s earliest experience with language and storytelling. As a parent, that feels especially meaningful.

It also feels really special to root the book in Hawai’i. Being able to reflect familiar places, language, and everyday moments adds another layer of connection, especially for local Hawai’i families. I love the idea that keiki might see parts of their own word in the illustrations while also discovering new details each time they read it.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start writing/illustrating children’s books?

I’d say just start creating — don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Begin with an idea, a character, or even just a few pages and see where it goes!

More importantly, make something that feels true to you. If you enjoy the process and your work is genuine, it will show!

That’s great advice! So … Next Stop Zippy’s? I planned to ask you what you like to there, but I see Megan Kakimoto beat me to it in her Honolulu magazine interview 🙂

I have so many childhood memories there with my parents and grandparents. My family are I are Zippy’s regulars. It’s always our next stop!

Ours, too! Mahalo nui, Kelsie, for a wonderful talk story! We can’t wait to see what’s next for you.

To see more of her work, please visit her at Kelsie Dayna Designs. You can find also find Kelsie on Instagram and Facebook.

Images courtesy of Kelsie Dayna.

Kaho’olawe at ALA Chicago 2026!

July 8, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

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!

After a full day of travel (10 hours!) from Honolulu, we finally arrived at the ALA Convention in Chicago!
What a thrill for Harinani and me to meet our amazing editor, Carol Hinz, for the first time.
Executive VP Andy Cummings, Editor Carol Hinz, me, author Calvin Ramsey, and Harinani Orme at Lerner’s Exhibition Space at ALA Chicago 2026. So excited to be here!
As you can tell, I was so happy to finally meet Carol Hinz, who helped bring this book to life. She is even more warm and gracious in person than she is in our Zoom calls.
It was a joy to meet author Florence Migga. Here she’s getting read for her first book signing for Summer Scrapbook.
Just some of my favorite pins from the ALA convention. Librarians are superheroes!
Meeting one of my idols, Carole Boston Weatherford was another highlight of the trip. Ms. Weatherford’s picture book, Unspeakable, inspired me to tell Kaho’olawe’s story.
Tim was amazing. He was so helpful — carrying books, taking photos, sitting in the worse seats on the Uber so others would be comfortable, patiently waiting (and waiting and waiting) for me — and so it’s no wonder everyone pretty much fell in love with him.
The highlight of the trip was receiving the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) Pasifika Picture Book Award. The awards banquet was fun! It was held at a Chinese banquet hall on the edge of Chinatown, and honestly, it felt familiar and comfortable, like being back home. Mahalo nunui, APALA!
Dream Team! Harinani and me with Art Director Danielle Carnito and Editor Carol Hinz (mahalo for the photo, Carol)
Signing books, talking story, and sharing laughs and hugs — the best way to end the convention before heading home to Hawai’i. Mahalo nui loa to Lerner, ALA and APALA for the wonderful weekend! (photo from Carol)

Announcing I AM MOANA and I AM MAUI Little Golden Books!

June 2, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

Dear readers, please allow me to share a dream-come-true with you.

Like many of you, I grew up reading Little Golden Books. The stories were sometimes silly, sometimes serious but always fun and inspiring. I loved them all.

The books evolved over the years — from gentle stories like Poky Little Puppy (1942) and We Like Kindergarten (1965) to recent best-sellers tied to movies and celebrities — all to keep up with reader demand.

Growing up in the rough-and-tumble urban neighborhood of Kalihi-Pālama, I never imagined that one day I would have the chance to WRITE not one LGB … but two.

I am thrilled that I AM MOANA and I AM MAUI (Disney/Golden) are out in the world today!

Writing these stories helped me grow as an author: meeting strict deadlines, providing extensive art notes, and being true to the movies and the characters. I am so grateful for the experience that expanded my skills.

Guided by the Dream Team at Disney Press, I focused on what made these characters so beloved — their courage, resourcefulness, and adventurous spirits.

Honestly, it was such a joy to live in Moana’s world again!

And the fantastic art! Talented artists Lisa Vannini and Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay created vivid, richly imaginative illustrations that are a Disney signature. The one above where Moana is doing her best to lead her crew is one of my favorites. So much storytelling in one art spread!

This was an experience I will cherish forever. MAHALO NUI to the fantastic team at Little Golden Books and Disney Enterprises!

I am Moana
Written by Kamalani Hurley, illustrated by Lisa Vannini
Golden/Disney, 2026
ISBN 978–0736447546
Suggested for ages 2 — 5

I am Maui
Written by Kamalani Hurley, illustrated by Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay
Golden/Disney, 2026
ISBN 978–0736447522
Suggested for ages 2 — 5

Images @Disney Enterprises, 2026

Interview with I am a Bon Dancer author Brandi-Ann Uyemura

April 7, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

As readers of this blog know, we highlight the talented creators of our AANHPI — Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander — community.

We are excited that our longtime friend, Brandi-Ann Uyemura, has a new book out this month! A lot has happened since we first featured her in 2022. She recently sat down to talk story and catch us up about her debut picture book, I am a Bon Dancer.

Can you share a bit of your debut picture book, I am a Bon Dancer? Without giving away too much for those who haven’t read it yet, what is it about?

Sure! I am a Bon Dancer is about a little girl who hasn’t been to the Bon dance before, but has heard her grandfather talk about it. His excitement is contagious, and she feels excited, too, until she gets there and realizes everyone seems to know how to dance. She is afraid to make a mistake in the glow of the lanterns and with everyone looking at her, but she gains courage when she learns the meaning behind the dance.

What inspired you to write the book?

Oh this has been in my mind for a very long time. I used to go to Obon with my grandfather on the island of Kauaʻi as a kid. He loved to go, and I remember how excited he would get on that day. He would whistle as he got dressed. He had this hair oil that he would use to pat down the few hairs on his balding head. He was so cute.

He had a station wagon and he would take my cousins and me early. My grandma would be there helping in the kitchen. It was something we all looked forward to. And all the details from the lanterns, the ono food, and my grandfather’s joy stayed with me all these years and inspired me to write this book.

Such sweet memories! What characteristics do you love best about the young protagonist? About Grandpa Jo? Are they modeled after specific people?

I love that she is afraid and yet still tries to dance. I was also scared to dance, so I sat on the bench and watched my grandpa dance. She is who I wish I was as a kid. Grandpa Jo is based on my grandpa Wakamatsu. I was really close to him. Having said that, while the characters were created because of my relationship with my grandparents, they are very different from real life. My grandpa worked in the sugar cane fields, for example, not my grandmother.

What was your favorite part of writing your book?

I love writing, and I love coming up with the sensory details of Bon Odori itself. I also loved working with Watercress author Andrea Wang. That part was so inspiring and really pushed me to be a better writer. I learned so much from Andrea and am forever grateful for her mentoring me. She was super generous with her time in helping me get my manuscript in the best shape possible.

How lucky to have Andrea as your mentor! The illustrations are wonderful. What was it like working with Amy Matsushita-Beal?

Thank you! I agree. The closest I got to working with Amy was just suggesting the type of illustrations I was looking for.

I never actually had a chance to work with them directly, but it was one of the highlights of my year to visit Amy in Japan. She is multi-talented and extremely creative. During our meeting, we got to talk about the process. I learned, for example, that the main character was inspired by a TV character and that there were suggestions in one of the drafts that were never used. I didn’t realize how fun it would be to talk to the illustrator, and I am so glad I got a chance to!

I love the book’s back matter. How do you hope this additional content influences the reader’s experience of the book?

Thank you, Kamalani! That means a lot to me because Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People was such a powerhouse of information. I hope that my readers will understand the significance of obon with that level of awareness and understanding.

But I also want readers to know that while the Bon dance has religious roots, today’s Bon dance is more about community and spending time with those you love.

In terms of the reader’s experience with the book, I hope that reading it will help them gain a deeper emotional understanding of why dancing is so important to the characters in the book and to appreciate the people behind some of the movements. While they appear simple, the hand movements often convey history, hard work, and real-life sacrifice for the Japanese people.

That’s fascinating! What do you hope teachers or librarians do with your book?

I just hope they share it! I gave a presentation once for an online class I took with author Marcie Colleen on “Windows and Mirrors.” I really hope librarians and teachers know how much I appreciate what they do, how important their roles are, and what a gift they can give children in providing both windows for children to learn about a new culture or learning something new about the Bon dance, but also mirrors for kids who want to see themselves in a book.

Mirrors and windows — what a terrific concept! What do you hope young readers will take away from your book? That is, what is the main message or feeling you hope kids get from this book?

I hope they will see themselves in it. I hope they will feel inspired and encouraged to do something that scares them and feel brave because of their own ancestors and the struggles they have been through.

Can you share a bit about what you’re working on next?

I am working on multiple manuscripts. Some about my culture. Other zany ones are about animals and dragons. I am also continuing to work on my middle-grade mystery about chocolate, which now has ghosts in it. The market keeps changing, and I like to write different things. The tricky part is finding a publishing home for them!

Mystery about chocolate and ghosts? I can’t wait for that book! Mahalo for your time and mana’o, Brandi! Visit Brandi at her website, Brandi-Ann Uyemura, and on Istagram at @brandialwayswrites.

Learn about I am a Bon Dancer in our picture book review!

Images courtesy of Brandi-Ann Uyemura

Book Review: I AM A BON DANCER by Brandi-Ann Uyemura

April 7, 2026April 7, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

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.

It’s Obon season in Hawaiʻi, and our young protagonist is excited to attending her first festival. Accompanied by her beloved grandfather, Grandpa Jo, the young girl is immediately entranced by the sounds, sights and aromas of the Bon dance. Most of all, she is in awe of the graceful dancers who move together, clapping, sweeping their arms and stepping to the music.

Will she ever learn to dance as beautifully?

What follows is a tale as the little girl learns how Bon dances are connected to her ancestors. I was especially moved by the image of the young dancer with her Grandma Nat, who had worked as a field hand on a sugar plantation. Feeling love and encouragement, the girl gathers her courage, feels the music within her, and begins to dance.

The illustrations by Amy Matsushita-Beal are beautiful. Because Bon dances tend to be held during evening hours, the book’s scenes are saturated with deep blues to represent the evening sky. One of my favorite spreads shows the girl entering the for the first time. We readers share her wonder and excitement — the thumping beats of the drummers, the tall red and white striped tower strung with brightly colored lanterns, the tents beyond that hint of delicious treats.

Although Obon is a Japanese tradition, the illustrations include diverse faces. As a girl, I attended Bon dances with my Japanese language school classmates, so I appreciate that the dancers are an authentically accurate reflection of the open-to-all invitation of the festival.

I love back matter, and the material at the end of the book is very insightful. I particularly loved learning about Hawaiʻi’s Obon traditions and that new songs are created to reflect life here. Festivals welcome everyone in the community to join in. And as a future ancestor — no spoiler here — I admit the last line of the back matter brought me to tears.

As I always try to do with picture book reviews, I read the book aloud to my youngest grandchildren. The book’s words and art kept their attention the whole time, and they even cheered at the very last scene!

My second grader read the book twice in one sitting — always a good sign — and together we looked for videos of Bon dance festivals online. All the grandkids have decided that we are all going to the next Bon dance at the Hongwanji near my house.

That is the best recommendation I think a picture book can have: it engages children and inspires them to learn more about their neighbors — near and far — and their traditions. I am a Bon Dancer is a most worthy addition to your child’s bookshelf.

I am a Bon Dancer
Written by Brandi-Ann Uyemura, illustrated by Amy Matsushita-Beal
Holiday House, 2024
ISBN 978–0823452200
Suggested for ages 4 — 8

Catch up with author Brandi-Ann Uyemura as she shares her process in writing this book!

Please read our disclaimer to learn our book review policy. Mahalo!

Galley review copy and images courtesy of Brandi-Ann Uyemura.

Kahoʻolawe wins a Blueberry Changemakers Award for 2025!

March 21, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

Mahalo nui to the Evanston Public Library and the Blueberry Committee for awarding KAHO’OLAWE: THE TRUE STORY OF AN ISLAND AND HER PEOPLE a 2025 Changemakers Award! The story of the island and the people who love her will inspire readers everywhere. Kaho’olawe Aloha ʻĀina! Read about the award winners at the School Library Journal.

All proceeds benefit the Protect Kaho’olawe ‘Ohana. Mahalo nui to Carol Hinz and the team at Millbrook/Lerner!

Kaho’olawe Book Pāʻina at daShop!

March 5, 2026 by Kamalani Hurley

daShop: books+curiosities in Kaʻimukī was the place to be on Saturday, February 28! Its parent company, Bess Press, hosted us in an epic book signing and art+writing pāʻina (party). Mahalo nui to David Deluca (Publisher and Coo), Kristen Namba Reed (Director of Publishing, Trade), Sarah Deluca (Director of Literacy and Curriculum Design), Dimpna Figuracion (Educational Partnerships Manager) and Jen Yoneshige (Operations Manager) for making the event so much fun! The space was filled with so much aloha!

What made this event so special is that the book’s illustrator, Harinani Orme, came prepared with her sketches and notebooks. She took the audience on a journey, from her research process and preliminary sketches to the final paintings that made it into the book.

Best of all, we talked story with the librarians, teachers, readers, parents, and grandparents in the audience who had brought their children. Our hope is that more people will learn the story of Kahoʻolawe and how the little island continues to thrive today.

Please enjoy these photos of the event. Mahalo nui! (all photos here are used with permission)

Illustrator Harinani Orme and author Kamalani Hurley at our book party at daShop in Honolulu.
The wonderful Sarah Deluca, Director of Literacy+Curriculum Design at Bess Press, was our primary contact and a most gracious host. Mahalo, Sarah!
Kamalani reading to the audience. I was nervous at first because of the mic, but once I got into the story, I didn’t notice it anymore!
Harinani sharing her preliminary sketches. Her insight helped the audience understand the art processes that go into making a picture book.
We had a blast meeting the audience and signing their books.
One of the best things was seeing old friends, like Lauren and her daughter.
It’s always fun to talk story with friends. Book events are always special when illustrator and author are featured.
The kids especially loved expressing themselves with the art activities.
Harinani provided bookmarks she had drawn for kids to color and decorate.
The kids loved decorating their Kahoʻolawe-themed booksmarks. A little girl told us she was going to hang hers in room as a decoration 🙂
Many families stopped by to look closely at Harinaniʻs paintings for the book.
Mahalo nui to Kristen Namba-Reed, Director of Publishing, Trade, for her wonderful hospitality!
daShop located on Harding Avenue, Kaʻimukī, Honolulu is worth visiting! It’s the cutest bookshop specializing in local Hawaiʻi, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander books.