For enquiries regarding the Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate Program contact Lyz Soto, director of literary and conversation programs at lsoto@hihumanities.org. You can also call her at 808.732.5402 x5.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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PAST EVENTS
15th Annual Art at the Capitol
Friday, April 12, 2024
4:30-7:00pm
This annual event by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, invites the public in after hours to view artworks on display in the building and to enjoy live music and performances. Hawai’i State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall will give a poetry reading at the event. Come out and enjoy an evening of community art, performances, and poetry!
A workshop with Brandy McDougall & Kai Gaspar
Thursday, March 14, 2024 at University of Hawai’i-West O’ahu Library, 2nd Floor
10:00am – 12:00pm
Join us for an afternoon of poetry and magic! This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC so we hope you can join us!
Dry snacks will be provided and there will be prize drawings!
Washington Place Poetry Workshop, with Brandy Nālani McDougall
Sunday, December 10, 2023 at Washington Place
11:00am – 4:00pm
Continuing the celebration of Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Brandy Nālani McDougall leads a day of poetic writing and reflection at Washington Place. Attendees will tour the home, receive writing prompts, talk story, and have a chance to explore and write on the tranquil, historic grounds.
Writing Workshop: Mo‘olelo Mana Māhū
Monday, October 9, 2023 at Native Books
5:30pm
An exciting follow-up event after Sunday’s book signing, poetry and discussion event, poets Kai Gaspar and Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall co-facilitated a poetry workshop in honor of the power of māhū.
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra/ Children of Gods
Sunday, October 8, 2023 at Hawai’i Theatre
4:00pm
The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra took us through a journey into ritual, enchantment, and legend with the Hawaiʻi premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto “Procession,” the world premiere of Michael-Thomas Foumai’s Children of Gods featuring poetry narrated by Hawaiʻi Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall.
Ulu by Kai Gaspar Book Launch & Signing
Sunday, October 8, 2023 at Native Books
2:00pm
Celebrating the book launch of the much-anticipated poetry collection ULU by Kanaka ‘Ōiwi poet and teacher Kai Gaspar. Brandy contributed to this beautiful celebration sharing work and engaging in talk story with Kai and the community.
Concert by the Sea: A Benefit Fundraiser for the People of Maui
Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
As part of the relief effort to support and send aloha and pule to our friends and loved ones affected by the wildfires on Maui, Brandy shared poetry and aloha to her community.
Broke da Mout’ All Pidgin Poetry Reading and Talk Story event
Saturday, September 16, 2023 at da Shop
2:00pm
Hawai’i State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall was honored to participate in this lively literary afternoon of poetry in pidgin! The event consisted of talk story, book signing and poetry shared from some of da best of da best local writers in town.
Talk Story & Book Signing with Hawai’i State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall
Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Native Books Hawai’i
4:00-6:00pm
Brandy engaged with community in this talk story-book signing event and shared works from her recent collection, ‘Āina Hānau: Birth Land.
Poetry Reading at Basically Books in Hilo
Saturday, July 8, 2023
3:30pm
Hawai’i State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall shared works from her second poetry collection, ‘Āina Hānau.
Youth Poet Laureate Commencement at Maui Arts and Cultural Center
Friday, April 28, 2023
10am
Brandy contributed to the opening of the Youth Poet Laureate Commencement where Corina Yi of Mililani High School was announced as the new Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate.
It’s National Poetry Month! Virtual Reading with the Public Library
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
6pm
Hawaiʻi’s Poet Laureate, Brandy Nālani McDougall participated in a virtual interview, talk story, and reading in honor of National Poetry Month.
14th Annual Art at the Capitol
Friday, April 18, 2023
4:30pm
Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall kicked off the eventful evening with an invocation. There were many performances and activities throughout the evening including Kamakawiwo‘ole: Osorio Band, Ballet Hawaiʻi performances in the rotunda, Hawaiʻi Theater for Youth performances in the Auditorium, and a panel discussion from Hawaiʻi Contemporary on “Art and Activism.”
Poetry Reading at ʻAi Pūhaku Exhibit in the Art Gallery at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Sunday, March 25, 2023
3pm
Brandy organized and joined a collective poetry reading honoring and inspired by the artists exhibited at the ʻAi Pōhaku exhibit.
Poetry Workshop at Makawao Public Library
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
5pm
Kula born and raised, Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall sees poetry as a way to heal. Share your own story of Maui with Brandy as she helps participants create their own poems of Makawao.
Poetry Workshop at Kīhei Public Library
Saturday, March 11, 2023
1pm
Share your own story of Maui with Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate Brandy McDougall, as she helps participants create their own poems about Kīhei.
Poetry Reading and Talk Story with DOE Literacy Teachers at Farrington High School
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
9:00am
Brandy read poetry and did a poetry workshop, inviting students to share their writing.
Poetry Out Loud Hawaiʻi State Final at the Tenney Theatre
Sunday, February 26, 2023
12:30pm
Brandy will be made a special appearance at the Poetry Out Loud Hawaiʻi Final.
Super Saturday at Hawaiʻi State Art Museum (HiSAM)
Saturday, February 25, 2023
1pm-3pm
Brandy Nālani McDougall facilitated an ekphrastic poetry workshop inspired HiSAM’s latest exhibit and Mr. Chicken Pants!
Ekphrasis, which can be translated as “description” in Greek, refers to poetry that describes a work of visual art. In this family workshop open to all ages, you will write your own ekphrastic poem inspired by an artwork of your choosing in the Hawai’i State Art Museum. Hawaii Poet Laureate, Brandy Nālani McDougall, will share examples of ekphrastic poems and writing prompts to help you create your own work of art to honor and celebrate the wonderful art at HiSAM.
The Vibe at Hawaiʻi State Art Museum (HiSAM)
Friday, January 13, 2023
6pm-9pm
Brandy Nālani McDougall’s inaugural event as Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate. She shared some of her poetry at The Vibe, a monthly jazz night at HiSAM.