June 8-9, 2024, Chaminade University
This year's conference is hybrid, so in-person or virtual attendance is available.
Malia Maunakea is a Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) writer who grew up on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu before relocating to the continent for college. She writes both middle-grade fiction and nonfiction and is the author of middle-grade novels Lei and the Fire Goddess, Lei and the Invisible Island, and nonfiction book Lightweight Backpacking for Families. When not at her computer, she can often be found roaming the Rocky Mountains with her husband, their two children, and a rescue mutt named Peggy. Malia is online at maliamaunakea.com and @MaliaMaunakea on Twitter and Instagram.
Shar Tui'asoa is a freelance illustrator based in Kailua, Oahu and the author/illustrator of the children’s book Punky Aloha. After studying Fine Art at her local community college for 6 years, Shar moved to California to earn her BFA in Illustration. She moved back to Hawaii shortly after and started Punky Aloha Studio in the summer of 2018. When she is not creating illustrations for books, magazines, and product packaging, Shar also sells a wide range of art prints and products in her online shop, in retailers throughout Hawai’i, Japan, and in the Mainland of the US. You can find her online using her Instagram handle, @punkyaloha.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our winners, and MAHALO to all who entered this year. Check out the winning entries: