Hawai‘i Literature & Art
— Since 1978 —
Aloha writers! Here is where we will keep track of the prompts from Donald Carreira Ching’s blog series The Bones of Blood Work. Feel free to share your pieces and comment with aloha on work that others share. Come back here often for new prompts. [Disregard the Bamboo Shoots contest rules below. BR minions are…
In this week’s The Bones of Blood Work, Donald Carreira Ching revisits “Kāneʻohe Town”—the shortest piece in the collection, and one of its most essential. Written as a sensory exercise, this prose-poem re-centers the reader in both place and theme. Donald reflects on its origins and offers us a creative prompt inspired by its approach….
As Hōkūleʻa celebrates its 50th birthday, author and educator Marion Lyman-Mersereau reflects on her time as a crew member and the values of ʻonipaʻa (steadfastness), laulima (cooperation), and wiwoʻole (courage) that have shaped the stories she shares about her time voyaging. In this humble offering to mark the occasion, Marion shares what Hōkūleʻa’s past and…
The 19th Hawaiʻi Book & Music Fest was Mayyyjah (and so is Kristiana Kahakauwila) by thomas iannucci So if you couldn’t tell by the title, I had a great time yesterday [Sat. 9/14]. The Hawaii Book & Music Festival (hosted at UH Mānoa) was back and fully in-person for the first time since Covid, and…
Aloha everyone! Bamboo Buckeroo is off on a fabulous adventure so here’s a prompt list from me instead. But in the words of the Buckeroo, “Remember, these prompts are only suggestions. Feel free to write about anything you choose. Pieces in any language are welcome, and no translation is required. However, you might reach a…
A Farewell Toast (eulogy for a sandwich) I am not dressed appropriately for this, with a red mess of guts on my blouse. Your guts. Yellow bits of little yous drying on my chest. You were a summer tomato that tasted like fall, warm and bright but on its way out. Fresh off the vine…
Wing Tek Lum’s new collection of poetry, The Oldtimers, imagines life in Honolulu Chinatown circa 1900 and gives voice to a forgotten pioneer generation of sojourners and settlers, detailing the trials and temptations of this bachelor society living far from their homeland—their hard work, their diversions, their challenges, and, even amidst the notorious plague and…
in faddah’s voice… Thomas Iannucci · boy (demo 2)