Indigenous Pacific Islander Eco-Literatures

In this anthology of contemporary eco-literature, the editors have gathered an ensemble of a hundred emerging, mid-career, and established Indigenous writers from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and the global Pacific diaspora. This book itself is an ecological form with rhizomatic roots and blossoming branches. Within these pages, the reader will encounter a wild garden of genres, including poetry, chant, short fiction, novel excerpts, creative nonfiction, visual texts, and even a dramatic play—all written in multilingual offerings of English, Pacific languages, pidgin, and translation. Seven main themes emerge: “Creation Stories and Genealogies,” “Ocean and Waterscapes,” “Land and Islands,” “Flowers, Plants, and Trees,” “Animals and More-than-Human Species,” “Climate Change,” and “Environmental Justice.” This aesthetic diversity embodies the beautiful bio-diversity of the Pacific itself.

The urgent voices in this book call us to attention—to action!—at a time of great need. Pacific ecologies and the lives of Pacific Islanders are currently under existential threat due to the legacy of environmental imperialism and the ongoing impacts of climate change. While Pacific writers celebrate the beauty and cultural symbolism of the ocean, islands, trees, and flowers, they also bravely address the frightening realities of rising sea levels, animal extinction, nuclear radiation, military contamination, and pandemics.

Indigenous Pacific Islander Eco-Literatures reminds us that we are not alone; we are always in relation and always ecological. Humans, other species, and nature are interrelated; land and water are central concepts of identity and genealogy; and Earth is the sacred source of all life, and thus should be treated with love and care. With this book as a trusted companion, we are inspired and empowered to reconnect with the world as we navigate towards a precarious yet hopeful future.

• Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Editor

  Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner is Climate Envoy for the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the director of Jo-Jikum, an environmental nonprofit.

• Leora Kava, Editor

  Leora (Lee) Kava is assistant professor of critical Pacific Islands and Oceania studies at San Francisco State University.

• Craig Santos Perez, Editor

  Craig Santos Perez, 2023 winner of the National Book Award for poetry, is a Chamoru author and editor from Guam. He was most recently professor of English at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

• Craig Santos Perez, Series Editor

  Craig Santos Perez, 2023 winner of the National Book Award for poetry, is a Chamoru author and editor from Guam. He was most recently professor of English at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

• Jean Anderson, Translator

• Sarita Newson, Translator

• Bonnie Etherington, Translator

Contributors

• Flora Aurima Devatine
• Tusiata Avia
• Joe Balaz
• Lia Maria Barcinas
• Serie Barford
• Kisha Borja-Quichocho-Calvo
• Moetai Brotherson
• Audrey Brown-Pereira
• Jessica Carpenter
• Emalani Case
• Donovan Kūhiō
• J.A. Dela Cruz-Smith
• Kamele Donaldson
• Sia Figiel
• Evelyn Flores
• Ryan Tito Gapelu
• Waej Genin-Juni
• William Nuʻutupu Giles
• Aleks Giyai
• Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua
• Déwé Gorodé
• Patricia Grace
• Dana Naone Hall
• Mary Therese Perez Hattori
• Epeli Hau‘ofa
• Vilsoni Hereniko
• Witi Ihimaera
• Takiora Ingram
• Grace Iwashita-Taylor
• Yolanda Joab
• Kristiana Kahakauwila
• Imaikalani Kalahele
• Daren Kamali
• John Kasaipwalova
• Emelihter Kihleng
• Selina Neirok Leem
• Victoria-Lola M. Leon Guerrero
• Arielle Taitano Lowe
• D. Keali‘i MacKenzie
• Tina Makereti
• Jully Makini
• Selina Tusitala Marsh
• Brandy Nālani McDougall
• Dan Taulapapa McMullin
• Clarissa Mendiola
• Courtney Sina Meredith
• Karlo Mila
• Grace Mera Molisa
• Serena Morales
• Cita Morei
• PC Muñoz
• Leiana San Agustin Naholowa’a
• Fuifuilupe Niumeitolu
• Loa Niumeitolu
• Peter R. Onedera
• Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio
• Jay Baza Pascua
• Mahealani Perez-Wendt
• Doug Poole
• leilani portillo
• John Pule
• Michael Puleloa
• Tagi Qolouvaki
• Hermana Ramarui
• No‘u Revilla
• Shaylin Nicole Salas
• Terisa Siagatonu
• Serena Ngaio Simmons
• Peter Sipeli
• Chantal T. Spitz
• Monique Storie
• Robert Sullivan
• Penina Ava Taesali
• Virginie H. Tafilagi-Takala
• Lehua M. Taitano
• Leilani Tamu
• Teweiariki Teaero
• Katerina Teaiwa
• Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa
• Tevachan (David Teva Chan)
• Konai Helu Thaman
• TravisT (Travis Kaululaʻau Thompson)
• Haunani-Kay Trask
• Hone Tuwhare
• Frances C. Koya Vaka'uta
• Desiree Taimanglo Ventura
• John Waromi
• Jahra Wasasala
• Albert Wendt
• Wayne Kaumualii Westlake
• Danielle P. Williams
• Steven Winduo
• Kiri Piahana-Wong
• Briar Wood
• Aiko Yamashiro
• Carlon Zackhras