Dis Not Da Mainland—We Stay Live Hawaii: The Multi-Cultural Values of Local Literature

Abstract

During the late 1970s, fairly young and unknown writers of Hawaii came together in order to formulate a “consciousness” relevant to their works conveying life within the Hawaiian Islands. They also sought to create a Hawaiian literary tradition which would be able to stand apart from the dominating mainstream American canon and other forms of ethnic literature such as Asian American works from the mainland. These writers desired to be recognized as writers of Hawaii or “local” authors and to introduce to the Hawaii community their works which primarily dealt with Hawaii’s people (Newman 49). Such were the goals set by the “Talk Story Conference” held in Hawaii almost 15 years ago.