Nā Wahi Ho‘oulu
(The Places That Inspire)
April 7 – 12, 2013
A Writers Retreat at Camp Mokule‘ia
on O‘ahu’s North Shore
Camp Mokule‘ia is delighted to announce its first annual writers retreat, a gathering of artists interested in exploring the notion of place in their work. Director Connie Hale, as well as a faculty of nationally known writers and cultural legends, invite writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, and memoir to spend a creative week on O‘ahu’s North Shore.
With the Waianae Mountains at our back and the open ocean at our front, writers of all ages and genres will learn from the masters, break bread with colleagues, write in the shade of ironwoods, wander along the beach, salute the sun in morning yoga, and come to understand the essence of Hawaii through evening programs led by island composers, dancers, and musicians.
Program
The faculty includes writers Laura Fraser, Steven Goldsberry, and Constance Hale, as well as Hawaiian musician/composer Aaron Mahi and language expert and composer Puakea Nogelmeier.
The writing program itself includes daily workshops, daily private writing time, and one-on-one meetings with the faculty. Evening programs will be open to writers and their families (or companions) as well as local residents. They will include music, talks by cultural luminaries, stories around the bonfire, readings at the local library, and the lu‘au. Optional activities—which are available as well to family and companions staying at the camp—include yoga, snorkeling, kayaking, and gardening. There will be one group hike to a sacred spot at Ka‘ena Point and a visit to Pu’u O Mahuka Heiau (“Hill of Escape”), a well-preserved ancient Hawaiian temple which is the largest such site on O‘ahu.
Background
In the Hawaiian language, Mokule‘ia means “a place of abundance.” It is also the name of a pristine beach that stretches along the northwest shore of the island of O‘ahu. Camp Mokule‘ia was established by The Episcopal Church of Hawaii in 1947; its mission states that it shall be a sacred place (wahi pana) for reflection, gathering, and play. In addition to nurturing mind, body, and spirit, Camp Mokule‘ia is dedicated to being a rich resource for artists at the lowest possible cost. For a sense of the place, please visit the Camp Mokule‘ia Web site.
Under the leadership of executive director David Turner, the camp has been undergoing a renewal, with a refurbishing of the lodge, a new gray-water cachement program, and an organic garden. David, a Punahou School classmate of Connie Hale, has also overseen the creation of a new mural in the “chapel”, led by Native Hawaiian artist Meleanna Meyer, and a recent painters retreat.
Details
The retreat is open to writers of any experience level. We begin on April 7, as participants settle into the camp and explore the surroundings. Our first gathering will be a dinner for all writers and their companions. The writing workshops begin on Monday, April 8 and continue through Friday April 12. There will be a program each evening after dinner and a lu‘au on the night of Thursday, April 11. Organized activities include early morning hikes, yoga, and a visit to a local heiau, or ancient temple. Self-guided activities include swimming, beach walks, kayaking, gardening, and games.
Cost
The cost of the program is structured to make it feasible for working writers. Prices range from a $500 day rate for attendees staying elsewhere to $1,000 for a private room and bath in the lodge. Price levels depend on the lodging option and whether you are occupying a room on a single or double basis. All packages include daytime activities, evening programs, transportation to certain activities, and the lu‘au. For details about the cost, please refer to this page.
Registration and information
For more information and registration, contact Shanee Baptista: Shanee [at] CampMokuleia.com or call (808) 637-6241.
For more information on the workshops and program, contact Constance Hale: connie [at] sinandsyntax.com or call (617) 909-1439.
Registration is open. Once you have registered, please send a brief paragraph describing your work or your goals to Connie via email or mail (Mokule‘ia Writers Retreat/Camp Mokule‘ia/68-729 Farrington Hwy./Waialua,/HI 96791).
