Writing the Land: Windblown II

Growing up in the beautiful islands of Hawaiʻi, we have become accustomed to the rich landscapes and wildlife that surround us everyday. In just a quick drive or even a short walk, we have the luxury of indulging in the sweet scents of our native flowers, walking into the dense forests for a weekend hike, or even getting a quick glance of our beloved honu resting on the shorelines from a distance away. I have been a victim to this, as until a few years ago, I seldom pondered about how much I have taken my experiences with nature for granted. However, with these privileges comes the responsibility of making sure we attend to the land, and also think deeply about the human connection we have to the nature we exist in. 

Writing the Land: Windblown II introduces a vast collection of poems dedicated to the preserves of various Land Trust’s across the country, including our very own Hawaiʻi Land Trust. Accompanying the poems are contexts to each land trust and each preserve with carefully curated photographs that add to the reader's experience. To me, what rather resonated is the energy and connection between humans and nature exuding within the stanzas. Reading through the book, I couldn’t help but be drawn back to the poem Kuʻu Hauʻula by Azuré Kauikeolani Iversen-Keahi. In just the opening lines, the poem conveys to you, “Lay your spine on the earth and watch / Flashbacks on the undersides of leaves / Reclaim the tongue of earth / The language of soil, / The language of ‘āina”. Perhaps, my upbringing in Oʻahu serves as a bias to this poem, but more importantly I instantly felt transported into the text, as if I was laying on the lush, dense earth feeling it speak back to me. This feeling can be found not only in the poems regarding Hawaiʻi, but also in poems such as Me and Doris in which the author, Ysabel Y. González, senses a calling from the land and those who came before her to continue on the work that seems to be etched in the preserve. Conservation is vital in many ways for providing habitat and nourishment, but we must consider how it connects with us. As Joan Maloof mentions in the foreword of this book, each author brilliantly showcases the energy of the land itself but also perhaps the easily missed passion and spirit from the people who have worked to care for it.

While poetry may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I encourage everyone to give Writing the Land: Windblown II a chance for not only the beautiful storytelling from all its authors, but for the inspiration it provides for us to reconsider how we view the land we live on. With the background information and stunning visuals, it is a poetry book that can be enjoyed by those young and old. As a teenager growing into adulthood, I hope that those my age can consider delving into stories such as this, to become inspired by the work of land conservationists and think about how we, whether big or small, can continue to protect our lands and the spirit that lies within them. 

— Aimee Okagawa, HILT Communications Intern

Writing the Land: Windblown II can be purchased in our online store. Get your copy today!