Hawai‘i Literature & Art
— Since 1978 —
Women’s History Month why we nevah jus call um Herstory Month enough wid his story how evry time foah how many centuries we only get his story an mostly whitewashed version of dat – no color jalike Tom Sawyer’s fence dat he wen get his frens foah paint while he sat back den told his…
A friend, a school band director, professional drummer, jazz fanatic, and high-end audiophile, reports he’s just back from a west coast trip, had visited graves of celebrities in L.A. He’s searching for a photo on his phone, one burial site he was most interested in, Buddy Rich, an all-time drummer of renown. He says it’s…
Happy Women’s History Month to all of you writers. Okay, this month we’re going for 100 words minimum again. No upper word limit again. Remember, these prompts are suggestions only. Feel free to ignore them and write whatever you want to write about. Women’s history Women Mothers Daughters Sisters Glass ceilings Pay equity Housewives Househusbands…
By the time I pull into the SHELL station there’s no doubt that the noises coming from under the hood are concerning and need immediate attention. Luckily, it’s a slow day and the young guy running the place gives me the go-ahead to drive up on a portable ramp so I can drop Miss Chevy’s…
We sat opposite each other, each stirring coffee in thick white cups, trying to cool it off. “Cream,” I said. “Cream would help.” Andrea shook her head. “I think the fat stores the heat, makes it take longer to cool off.” I’d never actually thought about this. It made sense. She was good at making…
This poem was written in celebration of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian Language Month, in the Niʻihau dialect. Translation provided below. ʻĀpuatea Ua hele mai ta ua ta ua nui ta ua nui i tapa ʻia iā ʻĀpuatea he inoa wahine ʻo ia he inoa ua ʻo ia no laila ua hele au i ta malu…
Richard Nakandakari is the hero in all of his stories. He’s the storyteller, the events are his, he lived them and has a right to tell them the way they seemed to him, from the inside. Who’ll know if he rewrites the dialogue to make himself sound smarter, more insightful, and even as a youth, wise? Being humorous…
Every day I read the obits I take notice of the ages Today, a lot are older than me This makes me think I still get chance To out dance the piper Buddha teaches life is impermanent So no get use to it. In the meantime, the days fly by Adding another month, another…
I nevah met a language I nevah like. So I wen weave English, Pidgin, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi into this piece. So much going on dis month. Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), Makahiki Hou Pākē (Chinese New Year), and our usual recognition of ʻŌlelo Paʻi ʻAi (Pidgin) as vehicles of spoken and written expression. Sounds…
Leaves in Hawaii are trapped in green– orange, red, brown or bare– belong to lands where the sun rises to a different sky. Mom and Dad are like those leaves, unblemished by the passing seasons– on the surface, a harmony of all things, below, the smeared shadows of fairy tales. The day comes when truth…