Debut author and poet Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams says “An Expanse of Blue” is a real labor of love. It’s also a lifelong dream come true.
“When I was 3 or 4 years old, my mom told me to a write a story,” she recalled. “With my overactive imagination, my mom really fostered that creativity in me; she was my first publisher, editor and agent, so I have her to thank. I’ve been writing ever since.”
It was in middle school that Adams realized her career could be as an author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she taught high school English. Now, seeing her name on the cover of “Expanse of Blue” is both exciting and scary, she told Aloha State Daily, adding, “I never let go of that and pursued it as hard as I could.”
Her dad, a Native Hawaiian born and raised in Hawaiʻi, helped nurture her connection to the Islands. She described her childhood home filled with mele, local-style food including poi, and sharing meals with her large extended family.
“Even though I didn’t grow up in Hawaiʻi, my dad would teach me phrases in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and correct me on my pronunciation,” Adams said. “I was raised with Hawaiian values of community, family and faith … and remained appreciative of my culture and history.”
Residing in California, the Kānaka Maoli writer grew up in Washington state, where her parents moved to from Hawai’i in the ’90s, she said. Her work was previously published in “Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories,” having contributed a short story in verse. Novel in verse, or a narrative written using poetry instead of prose, describes “An Expanse of Blue,” which is set to release on Tuesday, May 19.
“The story of ‘Expanse of Blue’ takes place in the Seattle area. The main character, Aouli, she’s 17 and grows up in the Catholic Church, her parents being very devout. She joins youth group, goes to camp, and participates in the Easter play,” Adams said. “But I drew on aspects of my life to build the foundations of the book. I grew up Catholic, as well, in the same state just south of Seattle. That’s where my origin story began. I drew on my experiences as a Native Hawaiian growing up in the diaspora, away from Hawaiʻi.
“Ultimately, I hope that young readers take away that stories from the diaspora matter [and] that there are more stories to tell ... I also hope the book appeals to young readers who donʻt know much about what it means to be Native Hawaiian and are able to pull away some of those universal themes for themselves (i.e. the importance of our ancestors watching over us). And for those young readers who are Native Hawaiian, that they see something of themselves in it.”
“An Expanse of Blue,” published by Heartdrum, is available for pre-order right now through Amazon, Barns & Noble, Bookshop.org, and more including local independent sellers by request.
In the meantime, Adams is working on another YA novel in verse from the perspectives of three siblings using different poetic writing styles, she told ASD. “It’s been a fun, artistic challenge for me.”
When asked what genre she enjoys reading most, Adams replied: “I write books for teens, I read a lot of books for teens. But lately, I have been trying to get into non-fiction and immerse myself even deeper into Hawaiian culture and history.”
Her latest read is “Hawaiʻiʻs Story by Hawaiʻiʻs Queen,” a firsthand account by Queen Liliʻuokalani.
Stay connected with the author at kauamahoeadams.com or via Instagram.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
