Dear Friends,

I’m still finalizing the details for this year’s Ko`olau Writers Workshop, but I wanted to let everyone know that we do have a date. The event will take place on Saturday, April 13th at Aloha Tower Marketplace (ATM).

We have also confirmed a wonderful Keynote Speaker: D. Nandi Odhiambo is the author of four novels and Assistant Professor at the University of Hawai’i–West O’ahu.

As we settle into our new home downtown, I’m planning to make some changes this year.

Food:
Now that Sam Choy’s Pier 9 is open–along with several other food vendors–we’re going to simply take a lunch break rather than a serve a catered lunch. This is a change I’m excited about. Food has consistently been KWW’s biggest cost and the most frequent source of dissatisfaction. This change will allow me to reduce the registration price considerably. It will also make it easier on those with dietary restrictions. Attendees on a budget may bring their own lunch if they don’t wish to purchase it on site. I am making arrangements to have coffee and water available all day. Breakfast options are very limited on weekends at ATM, so please plan accordingly.

Schedule:
Your feedback has indicated that the event often lacks a sense of closure. This year, we will offer the keynote address at the end of the event (3pm), rather than in the middle. In addition, this year’s keynote will be free and open to the public. I hope this might be a way to allow everyone–regardless of budget or other circumstances–to enjoy at least some aspect of the event. (Unfortunately, I am not able to offer any parking validation for those guests that only come for the keynote.)

As always, I welcome your suggestions, and I hope to see you in April!

A hui hou,

-Tyler McMahon