Free events, books, activities highlight NEA Big Read Hawai‘i

Hawaiʻi will come together to read and celebrate An American Sunrise

Kapiʻolani Community College
Contact:
Lisa N Yamamoto, (808) 734-9136
Marketing Coordinator, Kapi‘olani Community College
Joy Oehlers, (808) 734-9352
Information Literacy Librarian, Lama Library
Posted: Feb 24, 2022

Solomon Enos will discuss and present over 40 pieces of his visionary artwork.
Solomon Enos will discuss and present over 40 pieces of his visionary artwork.
Lee A. Tonouchi, author of the Skipping Stones Honor Award-winning children's picture book Okinawan
Lee A. Tonouchi, author of the Skipping Stones Honor Award-winning children's picture book Okinawan
Connie Florez, indigenous film co-producer and assistant director of Waikiki the Movie
Connie Florez, indigenous film co-producer and assistant director of Waikiki the Movie
An American Sunrise, this year’s featured book at the NEA Big Read Hawai’i
An American Sunrise, this year’s featured book at the NEA Big Read Hawai’i
NEW Big Read Hawai’i event, March 10 to April 22. A celebration of poetry, art and storytelling.
NEW Big Read Hawai’i event, March 10 to April 22. A celebration of poetry, art and storytelling.

The public is invited to experience the healing power of moʻolelo (stories) through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read Hawaiʻi. Celebrate poetry, art and storytelling with free online events including book readings, discussions with authors and artists, slam poetry and nature writing workshops, film screenings and more, as part of Big Read Hawai‘i. 

Kapiʻolani Community College’s Lama Library will host the virtual NEA Big Read program exploring An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo, current U.S. poet laureate and member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and other companion titles from March 10 to April 22, 2022. During this time, free books and take-and-make activity kits for adults and keiki will also be available statewide. More than 650 books will be given away at Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu libraries. 

The Big Read Hawai‘i kick-off event on Saturday, March 12 features Kealoha, Solomon Enos, Connie Florez, ʻĪmaikalani Kalāhele, Lee A. Tonouchi and other presenters. The month-long celebration continues with Chris Caravalho, Caren Loebel-Fried, Kai Kaulukukui, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Craig Santos Perez and Susan Schultz.

“These series of events will be opportunities for our community to connect with authors and artists whose writings and works are so beloved; but more importantly, to start a conversation with each other, share diverse perspectives, and be truly inspired by poetry, books, art and culture,” said Joy Oehlers, an information literacy librarian at Kapi‘olani CC.

Big Read Hawaiʻi is supported by the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, Read To Me International, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu library and Windward CC library. It was  made possible by a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

View the NEA Big Read Hawaiʻi calendar of events and register online https://bigreadhawaii.weebly.com/.

For more information, visit: https://bigreadhawaii.weebly.com/