Kumu Pali Ahue and his hālau, Nā Maile Kū Honua, open the Maui Writers Conference a few years ago, just one of the kama'āina voices at the event. - Photo courtesy Hawai'i Writers Conference

– Retreat offers one-of-a-kind opportunity
– Norah Jones to perform at benefit gala

By T. Ilihia Gionson / Ka Wai Ola Loa

The Hawai'i Writers Conference, hailed as the world's premier writer's conference, has been gathering aspiring writers of all levels of ability and successful published authors to share their craft for 16 years. And this year, the conference will be doing more to incorporate kama'āina voices with the Voices of Hawai'i track and deeply discounted registrations for teachers and students.

"The Hawai'i Writers Conference offers writers the rarest of opportunities: the chance to learn directly from industry icons while gaining insights into how to get published," said Conference co-founder Shannon Tullius.

Formerly known as the Maui Writers Conference, the gathering moved to Waikīkī in 2008 to be more accessible to more people. In past years, the Conference has attracted around 1,000 aspiring and published writers, agents and editors. This year's event will be held at the Sheraton Waikīkī and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, September 4 through 7.

High school students from across Hawai'i gathered at the 2004 Maui Writers Conference as part of the Young Writers program, a program that will be revived as part of the Voices of Hawai'i at the Hawai'i Writers Conference. At the center of the photo is author Christopher Paolini (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr), himself a young writer, just 20 years old at the time. - Photo: T. Ilihia Gionson

So how did a conference so far away from the traditional publishing cities grow to such prominence? In the beginning, the natural beauty of Maui was the principal reason.

"But as the years went by, an 'ohana of these world-renowned artists developed," Tullius said. "Now, the most important attraction for our presenters is to join their peers in supporting the finest event of its kind in the world, whose reputation for discovering new talent is unprecedented."

Big names at this year's Conference include:

- Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven)
- Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine)
- Dan Millman (Way of the Peaceful Warrior)
- Gregory Maguire (Wicked)
- Jaqueline Mitchard (Deep End of the Ocean)
- Bobby Moresco (Million Dollar Baby, Crash)
- Diana Ossana (Brokeback Mountain)
- James Strauss (House, Deadwood, Entourage)

More presenters will be confirmed as the event draws closer, so visit the conference website hawaiiwriters.org for the latest.

The Voices of Hawai'i track will feature panels with artists of the spoken and written word, with an emphasis on the cultures of Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands. Potential workshops include the art of storytelling through chant and song, local authors discussing the genesis of story and sharing cultural heritage through story, and the influence of oral traditions in native media.

"There has always been an element of kama'āina voices at the Conference. The Young Writers program, local publishers, and local authors have always been an important part of the event," Tullius said. "Our increased emphasis on the 'Voices of Hawai'i' and Hawaiian literature in general reflects this mission."

Presenters for the Voices of Hawai'i track and the Conference in general are still being confirmed, so check the conference website hawaiiwriters.org often.

Now, about those discounts: A standard registration is $595, not including your own lodging and meals. But kama'āina and military can register for the Conference for $395. And new this year, students in their junior year of high school up through college as well as teachers can attend for just $195.

"This year, we are continuing our tradition of affordable rates to kama'āina. And we are offering deeply discounted student and teacher rates because we believe that our schools are where the voices of Hawai'i are being nurtured," Tullius said.

To get these special rates, call the Hawai'i Writers Conference office at (808) 739-5500 for a code to use at hawaiiwriters.org.

Norah Jones. - Photo: Danny Clinch Singer Norah Jones to perform at Hawai'i Writers Foundation Gala Norah Jones, the multiple Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and pianist who has won over the world with her signature style, will be gracing the Sheraton Waikīkī on September 4 to benefit the voices of Hawai'i. Jones will take the stage in a private, intimate engagement at the Writers Block Party Gala to benefit the Hawai'i Writers Foundation and its Young Writers program to bring budding high school writers to the conference. "With diminishing support for the arts, and nonprofits in particular, in order to go on with the work of the Hawai'i Writers Foundation, and 'Voices of Hawai'i', we must have public support," Tullius said. The concert will top off an evening beginning with dinner by Roy Yamaguchi in the Royal Hawaiian's Monarch Room and a dessert party on the lawn. Governor Linda Lingle and Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona will host the evening of dinner and music, and many of the conference's literary stars will be among the crowd. Seating is very limited, and all seats are reserved. Tickets will be mailed by August 15. For more information, including the levels of donations, visit hawaiiwriters.org.