Fall 2019 Writing Classes – Springfed Arts

Ann Arbor friends: I'll be teaching a new class at Springfed Arts this fall!

Memoir in Free Verse or Writing the Stories of your Life with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang: Dixboro Church Classroom, 5221 Church Rd Ann Arbor MI, 48105, Wednesdays, October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13 & 20, 1pm – 3pm

Fall 2019 Writing Classes – Springfed Arts

Get into your Sanctuary Day at Mokupapapa Discovery Center

I'll be storytelling and making a community art installation today for Get into your Sanctuary Day at Mokupapapa Discovery Center, a part of the National Marine Sanctuaries and NOAA.

‘Evoking Islands’ event celebrates Hawaiʻi song, poetry and prose | Asian American Press

Look, our poetry reading is in Asian American Press! With photographs!

As the event took place on the day after 33 Native Hawaiian elders were arrested on Mauna Kea for protesting the proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), the protectors and the sacred mountain were on the artists’ and audience’s minds, as reflected in their poems, stories, and songs.

‘Evoking Islands’ event celebrates Hawaiʻi song, poetry and prose | Asian American Press

Winter Coat drive for Protectors of Mauna Kea

From my friend Susan to Michigan folks: Would you please consider making a donation of your winter gear to the Kia'i (Protectors) on Mauna Kea who are in the second week of what is likely to be a long haul.  They are in alpine dessert conditions above the treeline and are exposed to extreme conditions all times of the day and night, when the temps drop below freezing.  It is not uncommon for there to be snow in the summer.  Mahalo for taking the time!  This is one way folks in Michigan can provide support in a big way. 

Teaching in Volcano and Hilo next July 2020

I was just asked to teach an all-day writing workshop intensive again next summer at Volcano Art Center, "Writing from the Heart," Sat., July 11, 2020, 9:30-3:30. Also confirmed a literary reading Thurs July 16 and a short half-day writing workshop "Writing your Hawai'i Story," Sat July 18, 2020 at Mokupapapa Discovery Center! And something at Basically Books sometime too. Yay! Start making your summer plans and come write with me. 

We win AAJA Award 2019 Leadership in Diversity

Congratulations to us! Yay NBC Asian America! Thanks Asian American Journalists Assn. for this award: 2019 Leadership in Diversity

AAJAHQ Award NBCAsian America

outrigger rowing island championships

Big Island outrigger rowing island championships (omg so many muscles everywhere)

Now carried at Basically Books in Hilo!

My chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea" is now carried at Basically Books in Hilo! on the Big Island of Hawaii (in addition to Lyman Museum in Hilo, Kona Stories in Kona, Bookbound in Ann Arbor, and Blacklava.net everywhere!)

I am also in talks with Basically Books to do a writing workshop there next summer. Yay!

Event: Evoking Islands: An evening of Hawaiʻi song, poetry and prose at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

Thanks to everyone who came out to join us tonight for Evoking Islands: An evening of Hawaiʻi song, poetry and prose at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center on the Big Island of Hawaii! What a great night of poetry, story, and song at Mokupapapa Discovery Center (and the biggest audience they have ever had--we counted 112!). Thanks Patrick Landeza for coming out to join us on Big Island! Looking forward to talking story with you again soon xoxo Leomi Bergknut, Tom Peek, Catherine Robbins

Next year's date already set--third Thursday of July or July 16, 2020, with a workshop that Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Summer Mom Update: Printer Printing

I sent a file to my mom's printer (from another room) and startled her, "I didn't know what that noise was. I thought it was robbers knocking on the door"