Here’s a picture of me with all my hula friends, the Kumu Hula (teacher) is at the right in front and the musicians that play for us at the left.

It’s been really interesting to be involved. I learn a lot about the culture, history and language through the dance.

Right now we’re learning a dance about the whales that come here to the Moloka’i channel every winter.

Gaellen with Hula Class

Great news!

The Last Aloha is a finalist in ForeWord Review’s “Book of the Year” Awards!

ForWord Review is a prestigious trade journal directed towards books published by independent publishers. Their Book of the Year Awards were established to bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors. ForeWord is the only review trade journal devoted exclusively to books from independent houses.

You can see all the details about the awards here.

I mentioned when I’m not writing novels, I work with Mona Foundation as a Development Director supporting education projects in countries around the world.

Rainn Wilson from NBC TV’s, ”The Office,” is Mona Foundation’s celebrity spokesman. He joined us for a Mona fundraiser in Austin, Texas. (I’m not scared even though I look that way.) I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rainn at a couple of fundraisers and he’s actually a very generous and down-to-earth guy.