The Reading Room with Brandy Nālani McDougall

We are honored to welcome Brandy Nālani McDougall, Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate (2023-2025), for a powerful conversation on poetry, cultural expression, and the resilience of Hawaiian literature. As the author of The Salt-Wind Ka Makani Paʻakai, ʻĀina Hānau Birth Land, and Finding Meaning: Kaona and Contemporary Hawaiian Literature, Brandy shares insights into how personal and cultural trauma fuel creative expression and highlights the vibrant literary community in Hawaiʻi. With honors such as the 2017 Beatrice Medicine Award and a Ka Palapala Poʻokela Honorable Mention, Brandy also reflects on her role as Poet Laureate and the unique tradition of poetry found in many Hawaiian families. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion with one of Hawaiʻi’s literary leaders!