Emerging Writers Program

Designed especially for writers and creatives in grades 9-12, the Emerging Writers Program aims to foster creativity, hone writing skills, and introduce participants to UH Mānoa's campus.

Dear Teachers, Parents, & Students:

In the past three years that I’ve served as Director of the Creative Writing Program at University of Hawai‘i Mānoa, numerous parents and K-12 instructors have asked me about opportunities for their imaginative student who enjoys creating poetry, stories, song lyrics, comics, podcasts, scripts, mo‘olelo, personal narrative, and more. Unlike with organized sports or music lessons, creative writing is often practiced alone – in journals, on social media, in the notes app of numerous phones. But writing and the arts are not solo endeavors. Rather, like any other skill, they require support, encouragement, mentorship, and like-minded community to sustain and grow.

Thus, as part of the Write@Mānoa Conference, my colleagues and I created the Emerging Writers Program, with curated workshops and specialized opportunities for younger creatives to develop their writing and professional skills as well as connect with other high schoolers who share their interests. As an added bonus, students in the Emerging Writers Program have the opportunity to meet UH Mānoa professors and students, and to envision themselves steeped in university life.

The Emerging Writers Program – and the whole of the Write@Mānoa Conference – is offered for free to students and educators. If you're a high school educator or administrator interested in bringing a group of students, please reach out to me at cwprog [at] hawaii.edu. We welcome large groups, and in some cases we can assist with busing and other transportation needs.

Join me in encouraging our emerging poets, storytellers, journalists, lyricists, and creatives to develop their passions and their writing. Share this website and our Eventbrite, and follow us on IG. 

Come write with us!

Sincerely,

Kristiana Kahakauwila

Director, Creative Writing Program at UH Mānoa

Associate Professor, Department of English

Author of This is Paradise and Clairboyance