MEDIA RELEASE

Kealoha Slam Poet

Kealoha, one of the world’s best slam poets, will be a featured performer for the 2010 HSPLS Teen Summer Reading Program at three selected public libraries on the island of Hawaii, Kauai, and Oahu in June 2010. Admission is free.

Kealoha, founder of HawaiiSlam, Youth Speaks Hawaii (two-time International Champions), and First Thursdays (largest registered and certified slam poetry competition in the world), will present “Slam Poetry with Kealoha,” in celebration of this year’s teen summer reading program.

Slam poetry is a modern day form of performance poetry. Kealoha will perform a full slam poetry program that will address social, personal, and cultural themes through storytelling, movement, hip-hop and theatre.

See “Slam Poetry with Kealoha” at the following libraries:

• June 10, 1 p.m. – Lihue Public Library (4344 Hardy Street; telephone: 241-3222)
• June 19, 11 a.m. – Kailua-Kona Public Library (75-138 Hualalai Road; telephone: 327-4327)
• June 27, 2 p.m. – Kaimuki Public Library (1041 Koko Head Avenue; telephone: 733-8422)

The 45-minute program is recommended for ages 12 and older.

This 2010 HSPLS summer reading performance program is funded by a generous grant from the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Ko Olina Resort and Marina, HMSHost, Meadow Gold Dairies, Hansen Foodservice, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Hawaiian Telcom, the UH-Manoa Outreach College’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program, and funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Contact the hosting Library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.

In addition, public libraries statewide are hosting a variety of performers and programs. Visit www.librarieshawaii.org for a complete list of programs and performers, or call your local library to find out their programs.