Picture a Hawaiian storyteller who weaves ancient myths into modern family sagas—meet Kawai Strong Washburn! Born on the rugged Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, this literary fiction author burst onto the scene with his debut novel, Sharks in the Time of Saviors, a dazzling blend of magical realism and cultural depth that’s earned accolades from Barack Obama to the PEN/Hemingway Award. His work captures the heartbeat of Native Hawaiian life, far from the tourist brochures, with a voice that’s as lyrical as it is grounded.
Washburn’s journey to literary stardom is anything but typical. From social work to software engineering, his path reflects a restless curiosity that infuses his storytelling with raw authenticity. Let’s dive into the life, works, and impact of this rising star in American literature.
The Making of Kawai Strong Washburn
Born in Honoka‘a, Hawaii, Kawai Strong Washburn grew up steeped in the islands’ cultural tapestry, from Hawaiian mythology to the pidgin slang of local communities. His parents, originally from Oklahoma and Kansas, met in Hawaii, grounding him in a unique blend of perspectives. After leaving for college in Portland, he explored diverse fields—social work, public policy at Columbia University, and software engineering—before a fiction workshop in 2007 sparked his writing passion. Inspired by Denis Johnson’s Jesus’ Son, Washburn found his calling to craft stories that resonate with emotional and cultural truth.
Kawai Strong Washburn’s Unforgettable Stories
Washburn’s debut, Sharks in the Time of Saviors (2020), is a tour de force that follows the Flores family, a working-class Native Hawaiian clan grappling with poverty and a supernatural twist: their son Nainoa is saved by sharks, hinting at divine favor. The novel weaves Hawaiian gods, family dynamics, and the weight of heritage across alternating voices, earning praise for its “daredevil lyricism” from Marlon James. Its exploration of identity and resilience landed it on best-of-2020 lists, including the New York Times and Oprah Magazine.
Beyond his novel, Washburn’s short stories, like those in McSweeney’s and Best American Nonrequired Reading, showcase his knack for vivid, grounded prose. His upcoming novel, still in progress, draws on historian Samuel M. Kamakau’s work, promising deeper dives into Hawaii’s pre-colonial past. His style—lush, rhythmic, and rooted in place—blends magical realism with gritty realities, offering a Hawaii untouched by tourist clichés.
Washburn’s themes often circle back to ohana (family), the tension between tradition and modernity, and the environmental toll of colonialism. His characters, flawed and vibrant, navigate a world where ancient spirits coexist with economic hardship, making his work a bridge between Native Hawaiian culture and global readers.
Why Kawai Strong Washburn Matters
Kawai Strong Washburn’s voice is a vital addition to contemporary literature, amplifying Native Hawaiian stories in a literary landscape often dominated by mainland perspectives. His work challenges stereotypes, presenting Hawaii as a place of resilience, not just paradise. By weaving mythology into modern narratives, he honors indigenous traditions while addressing universal themes of family and survival. Awards like the PEN/Hemingway and Minnesota Book Award in 2021 underscore his growing influence.
His impact extends beyond the page. Washburn’s authentic portrayal of Hawaiian life inspires readers to rethink the islands’ cultural and historical complexities, fostering empathy and curiosity. As a writer who balances software engineering with storytelling, he’s a role model for unconventional creatives chasing their dreams.
- Born: Hamakua Coast, Hawaii
- Key Work: Sharks in the Time of Saviors (2020)
- Awards: PEN/Hemingway Award (2020), Minnesota Book Award (2021)
- Notable Recognition: One of Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2020
Snag Sharks in the Time of Saviors and dive into Kawai Strong Washburn’s spellbinding world of Hawaiian myth and heart-wrenching family ties!