This Friday, November 21, the literary voices of Hawaiʻi will be crooning through the evening breeze at Hale Līhuʻe as the Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate, Dr. Brandy Nālani McDougall, takes the stage. From 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., attendees can enjoy a series of readings not only from McDougall herself but also from a cadre of local Kauaʻi writers passionate about their craft. According to the event details released by the Rice Street Business Association, the occasion is pegged as a family-friendly affair and welcomes all at no cost.
McDougall, appointed Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate for 2022–2025, has actively promoted the literary arts across the state. The event celebrating the appointment highlights Hawaiʻi’s commitment to poetry and literary engagement, with McDougall joining local writers to showcase the role of the arts in the community.
In 2022, the Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate program was launched, which was the product of a collaboration among the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, and the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities. Its mission is twofold: to elevate the profile of poetry in Hawaiʻi and to nurture new voices across the state's varied landscapes. Further details about the program can be found on the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts website.
