The goal of this challenge is to read books by Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and Hawai'i locals, learn more about the islands’ history, move away from the colonizers’ perspective and confront gaps in knowledge about Hawai'i. I am also including non-fiction about the history of Hawai'i by non-locals and non-Kānaka Maoli, as long as the literature does not glorify colonization or depict Hawai'i's colonization, illegal overthrow and annexation in an idealized way.

While this is an ongoing journey for myself and I do not ascribe to a time limit or set number of books — my goal is to read them all throughout my life —  I know that these aspirations can feel more manageable with a concrete goal. For Storygraph, I'm setting a prompt of 2 books — one fiction, one nonfiction — within the time limit of a year. I will reset this challenge every year in the hope that readers everywhere will take part in #ReadingHawaii annually and be inspired to read more than one or two books about Hawai'i.

To complete the Reading Hawai'i challenge for 2022, you must read one fiction or poetry book (can include graphic novels) and one non-fiction book by a Native Hawaiian author or a local Hawai'i (born and raised) author. The books do not need to be written by the same author.