Remembering What Empowers

Cultural Validation for Kaua‘i Storm

I need to remember this moment, sear it into my mind and my heart, retrieve it from my memory any time I feel downtrodden or ready to put down my pen and quit.

With all the obstacles and emotions that can arise and assault, it’s all too easy to allow our inner recorders to replay what hurts and forget the validating testimonies that motivate us to go on.

As I write this post, I am trembling from the cultural research report I just read for my upcoming novel and vow to hold it firmly in my heart and never, ever forget.

When my editor at Thomas & Mercer offered to give Kaua‘i Storm to a cultural research reader for review, I, in my ignorance, thought it was primarily to check on my use of ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i. Little did I expect to be blown away by the depth of insight, understanding, and knowledge exemplified in the analysis I received.

How can I properly express what it means to me to have my work truly seen, analyzed, and commended by a Native Hawaiian as culturally and critically astute as this?

If your people have ever been disenfranchised or maligned the way kānaka maoli have throughout colonialism and even into contemporary times, you likely resonate with that question more deeply than most.

We are more than the sum total of Westernized views. We exist beyond the stereotypes, fantasies, and tropes.

It took me decades of writing, five published books, and ten short stories before I felt ready to tackle a story set where I and all my Hawaiian ancestors were born and raised. It wouldn’t be enough for me to pen a thrilling adventure set in paradise.

If I was going to write a novel set in Hawai‘i, it had to be a story only a kanaka maoli would tell.

But I worried. I had been away for so long. How could I properly convey the prevalent issues Native Hawaiians faced every day? This concern, increased my already burning desire to reconnect.

I wasn’t alone. Many Hawaiian diaspora, including my own sisters, are feeling the pull.

When I lived on O‘ahu, my understanding and use of the Hawaiian language was limited to the mele and oli I sang, chanted, and danced. Although ‘olelo Hawai‘i was entwined into my life, my understanding and knowledge only touched the surface. With the resurgence of our language in the islands, I felt it was important to learn more. I enrolled in an introductory immersion course for ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i and rekindled my interest in chanting. The beauty of both fed my soul.

This was what I needed to share!

I read, listened, talked story, and researched until my protagonist, Ranger Makalani Pahukula, and her family emerged, telling me what was important to them and the story I should write. For all these reasons, my heart soared to read the validations I received today.

I’m searing her words into my mind for those moments where I’m faltering or floundering in doubt. I’ll reread what she has written about Kaua‘i Storm to remind myself that someone who knows recognized and appreciated what was there. That my intentions were realized and perceived. That the story I wrote while living on the mainland struck a chord with a kanaka maoli at home.

Mahalo nui loa, dear cultural research reader. Your words will sing in my heart.

What words do you need to sear into your mind?

What I’ve been reading:

If you’ve been reading my Musings for a while, you know I enjoy all sorts of fiction and non-fiction books. (You can breeze through my previous posts for the many, many recommendations.) This month’s list includes thrillers, fantasy, and an iconic book on writing that I’ve enjoyed, plus a rich historical literary fiction I just began.

ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS, written by Rob Hart

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES, written by Sarah J. Maas, narrated by Jennifer Ikeda

ON WRITING, written and narrated by Stephen King

As always, I have one book to read and a different book for listening. In my library now…

A VERY BAD THING by J.T. Ellison (one of my favorite authors!)

THERE ARE RIVERS IN THE SKY, written by Elif Shafak, narrated by him and Olivia Vinali.

Writing Biz News:

The cover was just revealed for COMBAT MONSTERS, a fantasy/sci-fi alternative history anthology. What an endeavor this was for me to research the naval history of World War II. My short story “Gods of the Sea" pits the supernatural forces of Japan and Hawai‘i during the epic Battle of Guadalcanal!

Coming February 11, 2025. Pre-order today!

How I’m Writing:

Again, if you’ve been following my posts, you know how my writing was disrupted by pivotal life events, how I eased back into writing, and how I ended up writing faster and easier than I ever have before.

Naturally, that status has changed. LOL!

If there’s anything consistent about writing, it’s the sheer inconsistency of flow and how easily momentum can be derailed.

I was writing like gangbusters on my second Ranger Makalani Pahukula mystery when I dove into my editorial pass for Kaua‘i Storm. The attention to detail and nuance changed my mindset when I returned. Instead of the faster flow, I found myself reverting to my familiar practice of slaving over every word.

Don’t get me wrong, this practice has served me quite well over the past with all four of my acclaimed Lily Wong thrillers and Dance Among the Flames. That said, it was disheartening to see my new writing method might be a fluke.

Although my word count is slightly less than it’s been in the past, I’ve been cutting myself some slack. With the pressure off, I find I’m still having fun. I also realized that the slow down has more to do with where I am in the book.

My writing usually ramps up as I approach the final act. I know where I’m going and all the threads that need to twine together in a satisfying knot. This time, I found new threads I needed to go back and add.

Speed writing wouldn’t work. I needed a different kind of writing and thinking for the task.

So, that’s where I am. Happily slowing down and exploring new options for this new Hawai‘i book.

A hui hou, my friends…

Celebrate your victories and make a point to remember what empowers you in life!

Aloha,
Tori 🌺