Q&A with Kamalani Hurley

 

Photo by Rokki Midro

 

 

Kamalani Hurley is the author of the new children's picture book Kaho'olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People. She also has written the book Birthday Treasure Hunt!: Disney Moana 2. She lives in Hawaii.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Kaho’olawe?

 

A: Kaho'olawe is the story of social justice and persistence in the face of cultural and historical destruction.

 

Like many Native Hawaiians of my generation born before statehood, I had grown up not learning the history of our people. Starting with the military coup of 1893, our people have become fully colonized. Much of our culture - including religious practices, hula, and the Hawaiian language - was banned.

 

It's no surprise then that my generation believed the stories of Kaho'olawe as a barren rock and that its best use was for military training. But activists of the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s reminded us of our rich historical and cultural heritage. The story of the island and her people deserves to be told.

 

Q: What do you think Harinani Orme’s illustrations add to the book?

 

A: I love Harinani's illustrations! She is also Native Hawaiian and every spread in the book shows a cultural sensibility as well as her artist talent. Because of the very Hawaiian subject, it was important for the illustrator to be indigenous, and I am grateful my publisher, Carol Hinz, agreed.

 

Because we both live in Hawai'i, Harinani and I were able to work together and have become fast friends. We even do school visits and other events together whenever we can, and Harinani's art focus is always a hit with kids.

 

Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?

 

A: I'd been researching the book for a couple of years, devouring every newspaper article and book I could find. I also interviewed representatives from both the Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana grassroots organization and the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission government office. 

 

I was surprised and dismayed by how the Hawai'i newspapers of the time dismissed the early efforts of activists to call attention to the island's plight. They were treated with disrespect and called trespassers and criminals. These activists were, in fact, courageous for daring to non-violently confront the mightiest military in the world. 

 

Q: In an interview with Honolulu Magazine, you said, “To me, Kaho‘olawe is about resilience and restoration of the island and her people. Hope—in oneself, in one’s community—is the real story I want my readers to take away.” Can you say more about that?

 

A: Gladly. On December 8, 1942, Kaho'olawe was seized by the US government for military training purposes. The island would be regularly bombed by air and sea.

 

Supporters of the protect Kaho'olawe movement, led by the late Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, fought military actions through the courts and in non-violent occupations of the island. After years of personal and physical sacrifice, including the mysterious deaths of two young Hawaiians, the activists were able to wrestle the island back.

 

It took over 40 years for Kaho'olawe to be returned to the state and the Native Hawaiian people. But then the work to restore the island began and continues to this day.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am grateful to be at a point in my life where, after decades of teaching college writing courses, I am able to pursue my own projects.

 

Two writing projects are slated for publication in 2027, both from Lerner.

 

At the Water’s Edge is a picture book biography on botanist Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott. This amazing native scientist revolutionized science. She taught her Stanford and University of Hawai'i students that traditional Hawaiian science is equal or superior to western technologies.

 

Unforgotten: Native Hawaiians and the Honolulu Chinatown Plague and Fires 1899-1900 is a middle grade history. Chinatown was a mixed neighborhood of Chinese, Japanese, and Native Hawaiian residents that included my own great-great-great grandparents. The unfortunate racism and victim-blaming during the epidemic will likely sound familiar to my readers who remember COVID restrictions. 

 

I also have a second Moana2 story coming out sometime this year. That promises to be fun! 

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I have four pieces of advice for aspiring authors that helped me when I started out. 

 

First, read as many mentor texts that you can get your hands on. These texts will teach language, points of view, and literary devices that you can use in your own projects.

 

Second, join SCBWI professional organization. You will be exposed to other writers and their projects.

 

Next, take classes, like those offered at reasonable cost through the Writing Barn, SCBWI, and Highlights Foundation to learn the skills you'll need.

 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is to find your people. The writing community is full of good folks ready to support and encourage you. SCBWI and the Writing Barn's Courage to Communicate have by far had the most effective positive influence on my writing life. 

 

I'd love to connect with your readers! I invite them to visit my website at https://kamalanihurley.com/ and to connect with me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kamalani.hurley/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kamalanihurley/. 

 

Mahalo for the opportunity to share my book, Deborah!

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb