Children’s author Malia Maunakea visited Punahou on Friday, Oct. 16, sharing her writing journey and encouraging fourth and fifth graders to use their imagination, experiences and cultural connections to create their own stories.
A Native Hawaiian author who grew up on Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu, Maunakea writes middle-grade fantasy novels inspired by Hawaiian culture and moʻolelo. Her books include Lei and the Fire Goddess, Lei and the Invisible Island and The Shark Prince, which weave Hawaiian legends, adventure and themes of identity into stories for young readers.
During her presentation, “Lands of Legends: Using Your Experiences to Craft Your Stories,” in Dillingham Hall, Maunakea discussed the essential elements of storytelling, including characters, setting and plot. She explained how a strong setting can bring a story to life, while imagination, research and plenty of editing help shape ideas into finished books.
Maunakea also shared how her Hawaiian heritage and desire to create stories for her son inspired her writing. Drawing inspiration from his interest in the popular Percy Jackson series, she wanted to write books that reflected Hawaiian culture and moʻolelo. She encouraged students to believe in their creativity and recognize that their voices deserve to be heard.
During a Q&A session, Maunakea answered student-submitted questions about her favorite childhood books, where she finds inspiration and how she develops character names. She shared that she sometimes turns to old yearbooks for name ideas and offered a glimpse into an upcoming horror story she is working on.
The visit concluded with Maunakea reading the first chapter of The Shark Prince, giving students a chance to experience her storytelling firsthand.
