Magic, Myths, and Me

There are moments in an author’s journey that feel surreal. Today was one of them.

After months of writing, editing, illustrating, redesigning, and refining, I finally ordered the very first prototype of Once Upon a Moʻolelo: A Collection of Kaʻao.

It isn’t the final version—not yet. In fact, I’ve spent the last several days obsessing over the cover. Every detail matters: the Hawaiian imagery, the placement of the title, the correct use of the ʻokina, and making sure the artwork reflects the stories waiting inside. It’s amazing how a tiny design change can completely transform a book.

Waiting for the proof feels a little like waiting for Christmas morning. Seeing a book on a computer screen is one thing, but holding it in your hands is something entirely different. The prototype will tell me what no digital image can—how the colors print, how the cover feels, and whether everything comes together the way I envisioned.

This collection has become one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on. Each story reimagines a familiar tale through a Hawaiian-inspired lens, celebrating the beauty of the islands, the importance of ʻohana, and the wonder found in storytelling. My hope has always been to create something that feels magical while remaining respectful of Hawaiian language and culture.

As I prepare for a week-long trip to visit family in Albany, New York, I know this prototype will likely be waiting for me when I return home to Maui. I can’t wait to finally hold it, flip through the pages, and see whether this dream has become the book I’ve imagined for so long.

The journey isn’t over yet—but it finally feels like I’m turning the last few pages before publication.

Mahalo for following along with me.

**Update** I was not satisfied with the first cover so I created the second one with Mahina on the cover. Let me know which one you like better.

— Kathleen