Rising from Our Roots is a collection of stories written by multilingual students of Waipahu High School, representing their diverse backgrounds- our students come to Hawai'i from the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Chuuk, Sāmoa, and Tonga.

This collection explores our students' roots, including childhood memories and adaptations of folktales from their home countries. It follows them as they branch out in their new home, with narratives of the immigration experience, overcoming challenges, and finding their place in Hawai'i. These stories highlight and celebrate the languages and cultures that enrich our Waipahu community.

This project was supported by the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant, Bess Press, and the Leeward District EL team. It was made possible by the hard work and dedication of teachers Yvonne Calvan, Chloe Maeshiro, Lori Murakami, Jiamin Ruan, and Jennifer Sagucio and the multilingual Marauders of Waipahu High School.