Poetry. Fiction. This anthology of fiction and poetry is a good introductory survey of Hawai'i literature. Selected from issues of the first eight years of BAMBOO RIDGE, The Hawaii Writers' Quarterly, it features the work of more than 50 writers and includes an introduction by the editors as well as an essay on Asian american literature in Hawai'i by Stephen Sumida.
Compelling, emotional, educational and thoughtful. A few of these pieces moved me to tears. I struggled sometimes with pieces in pidgin English, but this collection was not made to cater to me. I learned lots of new words! The untitled poem on page 14 by an anonymous 5th grader, and the untitled poem on page 16 by Kaipo, of Royal Elementary are particularly powerful. "Death at the Camp" by Keiho Soga as well. And many many others.
An essential read for anyone looking to experience the best of local lit. One of my favorite works by any author is anthologized here, Eric Chock's "Poem for George Helm: Aloha Week 1980." Read it!