Contributors and Their Statements
Lehuanani C. Waipā Ah Nee
Born and raised on the eastern shores of Hilo, in the Hawaiian Homestead Village of Keaukaha, I am a proud product of my parents, my Kupuna, my ‘aumakua and public schooling. I am a photographer by trade, a student in life and a Hawaiian at heart. The ability to create from knowledge passed down to you from your ancestors isn’t just a gift but a responsibility to perpetuate and pass on to the future generations. I enjoy swimming in the ocean, fishing, sailing and paddling. Contributing to this book was a blessing and an honor to be able to leave behind a resource for the future of the Hawaiian people. My contribution to this book is dedicated to my Kupuna and to those who have had a hand in my upbringing, especially to Leimomi (Kamahele Nisperos) Pakele and William “Uncle Bill” Kahalelehua Pakele.
Tiffany Balala
My name is Tiffany Satoko Balala. I’m a Japanese, Filipino, Okinawan, and Spanish from the island of Maui. I graduated in 2005 from H.P. Baldwin High School. My major is Japanese Studies along with a minor in Linguistics and a TESL certificate. One day I hope to have the opportunity to study abroad in Japan. During my free time I enjoy listening to modern Japanese music, studying kanji, spending time with family and friends, as well as tutoring students from Japan. I’ve never believed that I’d ever get the opportunity to be published in an anthology. This class has been an amazing experience, not to mention stress. But through it all, I’ve learned that with perseverance and patience anything is possible.
Shawna Bautista
Hi! My name is Shawna Bautista. I was born and raised in Honoka‘a, a former plantation town on the north side of the Big Island. I am three quarters Filipino, one quarter Portuguese, and I consider myself Local. In 2003, I graduated from Honoka‘a High School and have been at UH Hilo as an English major ever since. Although I still do not know what I want to do after college, I would like to write a book (a novel, not a book of poetry) one day. I have always enjoyed writing, but poetry was never one of my strong points, so I really found it difficult at times. In rare moments of free time, I like to read, watch TV, and eat.
Avery Allan Berido
I was born in Hilo but raised in Kea‘au; I am Filipino (with a little bit of Chinese). I attended Kea‘au Elementary and Intermediate. I graduated from Waiākea High (class of ’99). After a brief stint in the Army, I came back to the Big Island and worked at a liquor store. I am attending the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, where I am an art major. Though I do paintings, I prefer working in pencil drawings. My favorite artists are El Greco, Jaime Hewlett, Joe Madureira, and Vaughn Bodé. After graduation, I want to go to Alaska and work on a crab boat like you see in The Deadliest Catch. If you care to, you can check out my other work in Making Waves, a Pacific Anthology or deviantArt.
Dana Lynn Kapi‘olani Borabora
Aloha kākou. ‘O ko‘u inoa ‘o Dana Lynn Kapi‘olani Borabora. He kaikamahine, he kaikaina no ‘ehā mau kaikua‘ana a he kaikuahine no ho‘okahi kaikunāne, he hoahānau, he ‘anakē, he makuahine, he tūtūwahine, he wahine kāne make, a he haumāna wau. Noho wau ma Hilo nei, akā ua noho wau ma Kalihi, Honolulu. ‘O o‘u mau mo‘okupuna (mo‘okū‘auhau) nā ‘ohana Loo a me Makaalu no ke awāwa ‘o Waipi‘o. Ua puka akula wau mai ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha. Ua komo wau i ke Kulanui Kaiāulu ‘o Kapi‘olani a me ke Kulanui o Hawai‘i ma Mānoa. I kēia manawa nō, hele wau i ke Kulanui o Hawai‘i ma Hilo. He papa ki‘eki‘e loa a he mēkia ‘ōlelo Pelekāne au ma o ke Kāka. Ua pa‘i ‘ia he mau poema a he mau pāheona a‘u i nā puke heluhelu: ‘o ia ‘o ‘Ōlelo a me Kanilehua, i 2006. Ho‘ola‘a wau i ka‘u mau poema i ka‘u kāne i hala aku nei, ‘o Alexander “Bora” Borabora a me ko‘u mau ‘ohana. Mahalo ke Akua a me nā po‘e a pau.
Kristel Castro
Kristel Leina‘ala Castro was born and raised in the rainy city of Hilo. She feels privileged to have grown up here, because the slow-paced island life has taught her to appreciate the beauty of simplicity. Her Hawaiian, Portuguese, German, Korean, and Chinese ethnic backgrounds contribute to her adamant belief in the importance of keeping one’s cultural ties in today’s chaotic and complicated world. Kristel, an aspiring special education teacher, made it her motto to believe in everyone’s ability to attain his or her dreams. Success, in her opinion, can be measured by the number of people you’ve helped in your lifetime. Her writing in this anthology is aimed at spreading cultural awareness to as many people as possible, because it is only when people understand something that they can truly appreciate its underlying significance.
Loribeth Chenault
Loribeth Chenault is an alumni of UH Hilo where she received her B.A. in English in spring of 2006 and also a defining sense of self. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction and her Post-Baccalaureate certificate of teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In addition to school, work, and this project, she also volunteers at the local high school theater department as a technical advisor and general stage manager, and is in a community show choir. She enjoys reading, writing, painting, photography, singing, making jewelry, and scrapbooking. She lives in Racine, Wisconsin with her three cats and husband, Raphael, but wishes every day that she were still in Hawaii where the culture, food, and language is thick with experiences.
Janet Crum
Born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i, I live in Keaukaha where the ocean waters kiss the shores and return back out to the deep blue sea. I have embraced what life washes on my shore. The lessons learned have set me up for the bigger waves in life. Part of the process is getting drenched! Experience the moment and all that it has to offer, then, share what you have learned.
Emil DeAndreis
I am Emil DeAndreis, a current English and communication major at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. Baseball brought me to the Big Island, and as a junior, this is my third year pitching for the Hawai‘i Hilo Vulcans. I find the Big Island to be a beautiful place, and given the opportunity to do things over again, I would walk the same path right back out here. San Francisco, however, the city in which I was born and raised, is my beloved home. I plan to return there once I graduate from the University, and perhaps pursue a career in broadcasting, journalism or some other related field. I would prefer a career in music, but that is wishful thinking. Nothing is more important to me than my friends and family, and I attribute my inspiration in everything I do to them.
Achena Finik
Ranannim! My name is Achena Finik. I am from the islands of Weno and Tonoas, specifically Mwaan Village. I graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo with a B.A. in Anthropology. Currently, I am still trying to emulate my idol, the Mahatma Gandhi although his teachings are not always easy to follow. I would like to dedicate my poems to my loving mom and to my brothers. Kinisou Chapur, Achena.
Jason M. Foxworthy
Aloha! I have called Hilo, Hawai‘i my home since moving from Ohio in 2002. I graduated from UHH with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. My passion for writing and editing led me to this publication. I count myself very lucky to have spent so much time here among the diverse culture of Hawai‘i.
Elina Violet Fred
Born and raised in Kosrae, I’ve been to three different elementary schools before moving on to high school. In high school, I attended the only public school in Kosrae, rightfully named: Kosrae High School and graduated in May of 2005. I started my post-secondary education in Fall 2005 here at UH Hilo, intending to transfer to Mānoa after completing first year. However, before the first semester was over I changed my mind about transferring because of the rich environment here at UHH. I started out majoring in Economics and then added Communication as a double major. Currently I’m a sophomore and I keep myself busy with the Professional Business Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi, the International Student Association, and Kosrae Hilo Organization.
Charae Galigo
Writing has been my outlet, not for the purpose of creativity, but for cultural relief. I graduated from Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, in 2005 and was teased for being a Hawaiian who lacked the cultural and linguistic fluency that the “school for Hawaiians” supposedly offered. It was difficult to deal with the judgment and criticism of my friends in the country. So this small town country girl left behind the days of playing tennis and flying kites at Nā‘ālehu Park and chose to watch the eccentric personalities in Waikīkī. Shopping at Pearl Ridge and Ala Moana seemed a lot better than swimming at Punalu‘u and Honu‘apo. After two years of maturity, I’ve come to terms with myself. I am that country girl with the Filipino father who kills goat, cow, and pig every weekend and a Hawaiian-Chinese mother who can’t stand to see dust lying around the house.
Jessica Maile Garcia
The youngest of four girls, Jessica Maile Garcia is of Hispanic descent, and was born and raised in Hōlualoa, Hawai‘i. She graduated from Kealakehe High School in Kona, Hawai‘i, class of 2004. She is now a junior, majoring in English Literature with a minor in Earth and Space Science and she plans to teach elementary school after graduation. She hopes to stay in these beautiful islands, preferable in her home town. Jess enjoys singing, dancing (jazz, ballet, hula, hip-hop, almost anything), playing the piano, running, swimming, martial arts, reading, and, more recently, writing (especially poetry). She thanks her family, especially her parents for their support and love.
T. Ilihia Gionson
Howzit! Born ‘Ewa Beach, moved Paradise Park wen I was small. Spent my small kid days in Keaukaha and Pana‘ewa, between extended and hānai family. I wen grad Nāwahī in 2004; now I going UHH. In high skoo my English teacher, “Mrs. Dr. Hughes,” told me I better get my ‘ōkole in gear. So I did. I ended up at the Maui Writers Conference, which got me going. Between caring for Pops (Tony from Hilo Ace), braddah Makana, and Gramma, I write when I can. I enjoy eating the many deep-fried, mayonnaise-slathered local delicacies of my youth, as well as the traditional foods of my peoples. Laulau and dinuguan, baby. Mahalos to Unko Rap…I like da crackah! Big ups to Mommy, who was always behind me 104% (or 47.5% in kilos.) Even now, I can feel her pulling my ear from heaven.
Rachel Haunani Jennings
My name is Rachel Haunani Jennings. I was born in Hilo, Hawai‘i and raised in American Sāmoa. I’ve lived on the “Big” Island now for three years and have always considered myself an island girl. As to whether or not I’m “local,” that’s your decision. Poetry has always been a gateway for expressing my personal thoughts and feelings when I need to get something off my chest. My inspiration comes from the blessings of God (who has given me a great family and wonderful friends) and what He places around me, from the ocean depths to the blue sky.
Kainani Kahaunaele
From the gateway of the sun at Ha‘eha‘e to the sun snatching sea of Lehua, aloha. I had the privilege of being raised by my kūpuna on the rural Anahola Hawaiian Homestead on Kaua‘i surrounded by a huge extended family of four generations. My best friends were my grandma Kanani and her mother “Wawa.” I am honored to belong them and to have been nurtured by them and my kupuna generation well in to my adulthood. Even though many of them have passed on, I continue to learn from them everyday. My love for travel has taken me throughout our islands and the world promoting my passions: Hawaiian language, culture, and music via air, land and sea always returning home, staying connected to the source. I enjoy cleaning fish and ‘opihi, mixing poi, and the scent of dry akule like in Wawa’s kitchen. I also enjoy preparing and sharing a meal with my husband, Halealoha, and afternoon surf sessions with my uncles and cousins at our home break.
Larry Lindsey Kimura
Larry Lindsey Kimura hails from Waimea in South Kohala. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama Campus, he went on to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he become a teacher himself in the Hawaiian language. During his years at Mānoa, Larry became involved with songwriting and is famous for his many compositions, including “Ka Wai ‘Awa‘awa” (written in conjunction with Keith Haugen) and “E Ku‘u Morning Dew” (in partnership with Eddie Kamae). Larry was also part of Talk Story, Big Island (1979), which published his rendering of the legend of Kapalaoa. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Hawaiian Studies with UH Hilo’s Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikōlani.
Juliet S. Kono
Juliet S. Kono (Lee) of Leeward Community College has written two books of poems, Hilo Rains (1988) and Tsunami Years (1995), and a short story collection, Ho’olulu Park and the Pepsodent Smile (2004). She also has a children’s story called The Bravest Opihi, which was published by Beachhouse Publishing. Recently, she was awarded the Hawai’i Award for Literature, 2005.
Mona Livsey
Aloha, my name is Mona Kaualoku Livsey; I am a 41 year old non-traditional student, who is almost ready to graduate with my B.A. in Psychology. I was born to parents of Polynesian, Native American Indian, European, Anglo-Saxon, and Caucasian descent—thirteen ethnic bloodlines total. On some days, I feel it’s a little difficult just being me. I have lived in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawai‘i for over 20 years. It is my home and where I raised my son, Michael. I was born in Florida, raised in California, Arizona, and Kāne‘ohe on O‘ahu. I have had many experiences and many things to write about. I have loved reading and writing from a very young age, and encouraged my son in both. We share a love for writing poetry, and enjoy quite a few of the same authors. I would like to thank my mother Jacqueline and my son Michael for their love and support while I follow my endeavors of Higher Education. If it were not for all you have given me, I would have been lost so long ago. Mahalo nui loa, ‘aka‘aka‘o loko i ka ‘ike a ke aloha.
Seri I. Luangphinith
I was born in Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. My family moved to Honolulu when I was still very young, but I was shipped back every Spring, Summer, and Winter break. I vividly remember buying beef jerky and ice shave at the old Food Fair; I can still smell the pungent aroma of bagasse from Shipman Mill, just a few miles from my Nanny and Grandpa’s house in Kea‘au. So yeah, even though I one “townie” (grad McKinley ’87), I can smile and say that it’s good to be home...though sometimes kinda hard for explain how one tita like me with Japanese roots and a heavy pidgin accent (sometimes) get one funny kine last name. Go figure.
Jennifer Lui
Hi! My name is Jennifer Lui and I’m an English literature major at UHH. I am Japanese and Chinese, born and raised in Hilo; I’ve practically spent my entire life here. I was fortunate enough to have spent a year attending college in Las Vegas, Nevada and to have had the support from my family in my decision to move back home to Hawai‘i. I hope to someday become a high school English teacher and impact the lives of students the way my teachers have done for me. Thanks to all of my family and friends—they have all helped me be a better person and have given me the inspiration for much of my writing.
Stuart A. Mori
My name is Stuart A. Mori and I’m from a little island called Weno in Chuuk. I grew up loving the sandy beaches, the sound of the ocean crashing upon the shores and the many stories called “Tutunap” told on moonlit nights. I am blessed to have parents who care, brothers and sisters who support me, and friends and family who are always there by my side. I’m attending UH Hilo and majoring in Aquaculture and minoring in Marine Science. These two songs were written from the heart and always sung from the heart! Someday, I’ll explain to you what they mean.
Loren Pabila
I was born and raised in small Hilo town to a hapa mother and a Japanese/Filipino father. My grandparents on my father’s side were immigrants, my grandfather from the Philippines and my grandmother from Japan. On my mother’s side, my grandmother is a second-generation Chinese/Hawaiian woman, while my grandfather hailed from Monmouth, IL. I also graduated from St. Joseph Jr/Sr High School and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. I feel blessed to have grown up “local” and really do not identify with any one of my ethnicities. I feel that I am a part of the greater local culture, a product of generations of exchanging different cultural values. The Big Island is my home, and although others who have grown up here have gone off to seek their fortunes elsewhere, I feel that I could not live anywhere else but here. I have traveled around, but have never found that special magic that draws me like Hawai‘i does. My poetry reflects my personality, jumping from different styles and subjects and having a somewhat disjointed connection in relation to each other.
Mark Panek
Mark Panek is the author of Gaijin Yokozuna: A Biography of Chad Rowan, which explores the subtle identity shifts that local sumo star Akebono undertook to become the first non-Japanese elevated to the top rank in Japan’s national sport. Panek received his Ph.D. in English from UH Mānoa in 2004, and has since been teaching life writing, creative nonfiction, composition and rhetoric, and fiction writing at UH Hilo. He paddles for Keaukaha Canoe Club, sitting #5 (right behind fellow contributor Loren Pabila) in the 2006 Aunty Maile Moku o Hawai‘i Novice B gold medaling crew. He was also a proud member of the 2006 Moloka‘i Hoe DFL crew, whom he met on Craig’s List.
Abigail Popoitai
My name is Abigail Dorothea Mualiwai Galec Popoitai. Born and raised in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, I am the daughter of Benny and Jasap Popoitai, and eldest sister to Emmanuel, Jesse, and Zechariah. My father hails from Wallis Island, East Sepik Province and my mother from Busamang, Morobe Province. I am most comfortable expressing myself with a language that is not my native tongue and writing poems for this project was challenging. My poems are in English. I accept that I cannot speak or understand either of my parent’s languages as proficiently as I would like to; this class helped me be at peace with that. I am an East West Scholar attending the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, where I am pursuing a BA in Political Science.
Gerald Ramsey
E muamua ona si‘i le vi‘iga ma le fa‘afetai i le Tama o i le Lagi i lona alofa ma le agalelei. Fa‘afetai i le Tama ona o le poto ma le ‘atamai ua ia foaiina mai i le nei auauna vaivai. Atonu ana le seanoa Lau Afio, e lē ili ma le manuia le nei fa‘amoemoega, sa fau ao fau po. E momoli atu fo‘i le faafetai i o‘u matua, uso ma tuafafine, aemaise le fesoasoani malosi mai o lo‘u aiga atoa.
Although it may not be obvious from my name, I am from Aunu‘u, American Sāmoa and proud of it. I will graduate this semester and finally return home. Although I don’t have much experience with poetry, I am proud of the the hard work we all put in and hopefully someone can find a connection with what I’ve written. I write in both Sāmoan and English, neither of which are even close to perfect. I didn’t translate—not because I’m trying to shut readers out, but because the words will not carry the same meaning. I’m gonna miss Hilo.
Bobby H.K. Richards
In the fifth grade, I tried to draw a tree for some contest but could not get it right. No matter how much I thought about the way a tree looks the drawing came out to be nothing more than a stark twig. Then one day the teacher walked me up to a plumeria tree and said, “Look. Look at the way it twists and wraps around itself. Feel the bark.” I learned how to observe and draw trees that day. However, the challenge of seeing and expressing the grain remains.
Sanna Ancheta Schweitzer
Sanna Ancheta Schweitzer, of Filipino ancestry, was born on the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Her parents, Alfredo and Cristina Ancheta, raised Sanna and her two sisters, Javelyn and Josie in Pāhoa. Sanna has two sons, Christian and Storm, and a grandson, Braden. Sanna and her husband, Sonny, currently reside in Honomū. She is a graduate of Pāhoa High School and Hawai‘i Community College with an Associate in Science in Administration of Justice.
Katherine Shiroma
I am Okinawan, German, and Polish; I am an individual of the human species. As a human, I love to learn about cultures and life forms other than my own. I love music and believe that anyone and everyone can identify with it in one way or another as it exists as its own separate language. I’d like to thank Seri for seeing the potential in her students. She was the anchor to our ship, keeping us down and grounded when we wanted to go on cruise control; we, the students, were the chain links, pulling her up when she was down. Brah who wen steal ma fried rice?! Like cracks?!
Russell H. Shitabata
Born and raised on the island of O‘ahu, I earned my B.A. from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, my M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. My dissertation, Estranging the Natural Elements of Narrative, analyzes the narrative constructions of gender and race. I am a full time faculty member at Lane Community College where, among other courses, I teach Intro to Poetry, Intro to Asian American Literature, and Intro to Folklore and Mythology. In my spare time, I play chess (two 1st place finishes in Reserve Tournament Sections), study photography (one honorable mention in a photo competition), and tinker with computers (one system built from parts). I love Hawai‘i and miss it dearly.
Lara Stroud
Lara Stroud is a Linguistics major at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo. She enjoys languages and is currently studying Spanish and Hawaiian. She grew up in North Carolina but her family comes from Waipi‘o Valley. Her family is very important to her and she loves spending every minute she can with them. She loves music and is an avid sports fan, especially of the Carolina Tar Heels. Her heroes include her parents and her older brother, Nick. He has been a big influence in her life and is always there for her when she needs him. She is grateful for her family here in Hawai‘i. They take care of her even though she is miles away from home. She dedicates her story, “Falling into Place,” to her cousin Kaniala, who inspires her with his music.
Ginger Takeshita
Ginger was born in Apia, Western Sāmoa where she lived in her mom’s ancestral village till she was old enough to grow hair, just to have it badly trimmed by one of her cousins. She was able to communicate to her family in Sāmoan baby talk. When she was ready to graduate to sentences, she and her parents moved to be with her dad’s family where she learned to speak pidgin and was introduced to her dad’s local plantation Japanese culture in Kaua‘i. After she mastered how to eat with her hands and hashi properly, she and her parents migrated to Los Angeles where a new culture awaited, and “Like, you know” or “Oooooooh my God” was how she began every sentence (driving her parents insane). Although her world was clouded by Hollywood stars, her family grounded her with cultural values and enforced them with plenty of lickens. Now she feels responsible for sharing her stories on how to culturally navigate through the world of chaos.
Jennifer Tefft
I was born on Maui, but I was raised on the Big Island, which is where I live. I am half Mexican and consider myself Hispanic—I am proud of this heritage. I love to hang out with my dog, Vash, with my cat, Heihachi Mishima, and with pretty much any other animal that crosses my path. I enjoy spending time outdoors, writing, reading, and watching TV in my free time. I would like to become a veterinarian and practice on the Big Island.
L. Mika Tsunehiro
Mika dislikes politics with a passion because they make her tongue swell and cause hives to burst forth along her upper inner arm, a condition not unlike her mayonnaise allergy. Mika is a daughter of Hilo and thinks of herself as a champion fish eater. She hopes that one day every one will recognize the importance of recycling, trees, and crayons. Mika is the “happy genius of her household” and is searching for the entrance to Cartoonland. Anyone with any information is asked to please contact her. Oh, and Mika likes to quote Wayne’s World, so if you’re going to spew, spew into this! The End. P.S. Mika wants you to go and read the works of Murakami Haruki.
Robin Wittrock
Robin found her way to the Big Island from the mainland, and somehow, the Big Island found its way to her. The Island and the people inspire her to write. “Without music, life would be a mistake…I would only believe in a God who knew how to dance” (a quote from one of Robin’s favorite philosophers, Nietzsche).