Hawai‘i Literature & Art
— Since 1978 —
Somewhere in Vietnam, a deformed child begs for change (an unacknowledged, third generation victim of the spray) A few streets over, an ARVN soldier is turned away from the V.A. (only “freedom fighters” are eligible for benefits, they say) In Can Tho, a tourist takes his first bite of Banh Xeo (pleasantly surprised to find…
I lazily gaze into the same backyard I’ve been gazing into since childhood Feeling like this time’s the first And a deep sense inhabits my being: There was always a place for me here and there always will be I am intimately aware of the bark on the apple tree And the blades of grass…
Ralph says, When I first came here, my Army days, this whole place was kind of a blank canvas. We’re sitting on the wall at Magic Island watching the waves roll in under the setting sun. I’ve known Ralph for 50 years. We met in a philosophy class at the University of Hawai‘i. I know what you mean, I say. It was like…
Okay, Happy May, I hope everybody got lei’d on the 1st. Now that we’re coming into summer, it’s time to start heating up the writing. So without further ado here are possible prompts for May — which you can ignore if you want to write about anything. Pieces in any language other than English are…
My challenge was the Golden Shovel: A newer form, inspired by Gwendolyn Brooks. I took a line from an existing poem and used each word as the end word in my own lines. This is the line from the poem I chose. There is no greater sorrow than to recall our times of joy in…
Food near but far Gaza markets Old war no die
We thought was going be pau by Christmas Dey nevah like start for talk yet Dey said gotta teach lessons People no mo kau kau No mo hospital Da land bus up. How you feel? My tale Pau
Aloha e. Happy Tax Season to all of you. I hope you get large returns. I got $1 back from the State this year. Score! Now, here’s what we’re up to this month. Let’s write between 100 and 1000 words. These are some prompts.You know the story. You can use the prompts, or you can…
It is a large party. My neighborhood is a quiet one. Usually. But tonight valet parkers – valet parkers — run back and forth, young and looking like they would appreciate large tips, their white shirts, red vests, and black bowties suggesting a need to afford to escape from their job. I mean who in…
“This is a problem” said the authorities. “It doesn’t bother me” I reply. “This needs to go.” They reiterated. “Never.” Said I.” I will tend to it, care for it, nurture it and I will love it forever. For always.” “Ok let us know when it starts to bother you…..” Hrummpph! Thought I. Is it…