There is a saying that women hold up half the sky. This cannot be more true than in Hawai‘i whose very creation myth states that the very first human created was a woman known as La‘ila‘i. In fact, the formation of the Hawaiian Islands is attributed to the goddess Pele and her digging of the fire pits that led to the birth of the Island chain. Her sister goddesses were similarly powerful in brave rescues and battling demons. It takes no stretch of imagination to say that Hawaiian culture recognizes and venerates a woman’s power, passion, and intellectual prowess.

This book is a celebration of inspiring women who have contributed to the growth and development of the Aloha State determined by their spheres of influence, dedication, and commitment to their craft, industries, and the Hawaiian community. All of them have demonstrated their ability to rise above the ordinary and push the margins as frontier.

Our featured list of Inspiring Women include Marleen Akau, Puanani Burgess, Christine Camp, Shirley Daniel, Leanne Ferrer, Raiatea Helm, Mazie Hirono, Maxine Hong Kingston, Isabella Ellaheh Hughes, Kathryn Whang Inouye, Kim Coco Iwamoto, Connie Lau, Lynette Lo Tom, Lauren Matsumoto, Mary Philpotts McGrath, Catherine Ngo, Kymberly Marcos Pine, Crystal K. Rose, Maya Soetoro-Ng, Jennifer Sabas, Ligaya Stice, Karen Tan, Lois-Ann Yamanaka, and Lee Anne Wong.

Click Here for video of author Dr. Loretta Chen introducing “Inspiring Women of Hawaii”