Managing with Aloha selected for a Ka Palapala Po‘okela Award!

Every year, the Hawai‘i Book Publishers Association announces the winners of the Ka Palapala Po‘okela Awards, for the best books written, designed, and published in Hawaii.

I would like to thank the Academy —I’ve always wanted to say that!— for there is a Hawaii Book Academy which does the judging, for selecting Managing with Aloha for an award in Excellence in Writing Nonfiction. Very sweet indeed, and my warmest mahalo to all of you who have purchased and read MWA, for you have brought my book to the degree of recognition it has received, thank you.

At the awards presentation last night, they mentioned that the past publishing year saw the highest number of nominations in the 12-year history of the award; good news indeed that reading is flourishing in our Hawai‘i nei.

Congratulations to all the winners, and mahalo nui loa for your magnificent efforts in bringing greater literacy to our islands, and for capturing in print all that makes Hawaii the extraordinary place we know it to be. It was a special honor for me last night to be included in your company. Being able to see your collected works all in one location, and having the opportunity to meet all the many people it takes to collaborate on the printed book form, was both humbling and incredibly exciting.

To borrow a quote from the Hawai‘i Book & Music Festival:

‘Ulu a‘e ka ‘ike i ka heluhelu.
Knowledge grows through reading.

The Honolulu Star Bulletin has printed the full listing of award winners in this morning’s paper. Do consider adding these titles to your own wish list and to your Christmas gift list!