Being a creative writer in Hawaii is a thrilling and transformative experience. Our location grounds us in the indigenous islands of Hawaii and at the vibrant crossroads of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), Pacific, Asian, American, and European literatures, languages, histories, and cultures. The diverse environment (from the beaches to the rainforest, from the city to the ocean), the creative array of local and indigenous foods, and the collaborations between art and activism will enliven your imagination.<br>We offer a B.A. in English, with a Creative Writing concentration, an M.A. in English, with a creative thesis, and a Ph.D. in English, with a creative dissertation. Our unique position within a dynamic English Department allows graduate students to take a two-year core creative writing curriculum, alongside courses in literary studies, cultural studies, indigenous studies, life writing, oral traditions, and composition.<br><br>Our core creative writing curriculum offers a productive mix of workshops, seminars, and craft courses. Graduate students will develop an understanding of literary movements, genres, theories, forms, and techniques, while also cultivating editorial and revision skills. Throughout, students will even have opportunities to hone their performance style, professional development, and creative writing pedagogy.<br>Our widely published and critically acclaimed creative writing faculty represent an impressive range of academic, aesthetic, cultural, and geographical backgrounds. Our faculty members are passionate teachers, and several are even committed to important social, environmental, and political movements in Hawaii and the Pacific. Faculty interests include: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and songwriting, literatures of Hawaii, the Pacific, Asia, the United States, India, and Europe, multicultural, postmodern, multilingual, postcolonial, indigenous, and Pacific literary theories.<br>Every Spring semester, we sponsor a Distinguished Visiting Writer in Residence. This appointment brings an accomplished writer to our campus for an entire semester to teach two creative writing/literature courses, to perform at a public reading, to conduct a professional development workshop, and to become involved in our literary community.