Remembering Lele

On August 8-9th, 2023 one hundred and two people died and 2,000 structures burned in the wildfires that consumed Lahaina, Hawaii. In response, five kid activists were moved to take action. They decided to create an artistic tribute to youth impacted by the fires and to recognize Indigenous People who once ruled the Hawaiian Kingdom at Lele.

Professional poet Jah Smalls volunteered his teaching skills and every other week coached these kids and their friends on how to express themselves in words. "Remembering Lele" took one-year to complete. In total, eleven children contributed who ranged in age from 10 to 18, one Hawaiian citizen and four enrolled members of the Navajo Nation contributed art, poems, and empathy to this project. Every child's poetic talents grew alongside their friendships as they processed the losses families in Lahaina felt. This book however, is about the hope and love we all hold, and the power of children to listen and take action. If this book touches you, help us send books and reach the children of Lahaina. These five kid activists hope to invite kids from Maui to join them in continuing to write poems every week on Zoom under poet Jah Small's leadership. Please contact [email protected] for more information.