Reading of shorts speaks of Islands' literary talent
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Mark Lutwak isn't easily captivated. But when he hears a great story brought to life by rich, animated voices, it takes him to another world.
At Hawaii Public Radio, local actress Nara Springer Conaty reads a short story by Mavis Hara for the "Aloha Shorts" radio show.
A fan of National Public Radio's "Selected Shorts" — a program that features well-known actors reading literature to a live audience in New York City — Lutwak developed a Hawai'i version, called "Aloha Shorts." The Hawai'i show follows the same format as NPR's popular radio program, except it uses local actors reading works by local writers.
Lutwak, artistic director at Honolulu Theatre for Youth, created the show in collaboration with Hawaii Public Radio and Bamboo Ridge Press.
"Aloha Shorts," hosted by author Cedric Yamanaka, premiered June 28 and airs 5 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio, KIPO-FM (89.3).
"One of the richest, most exciting areas of contemporary culture in Hawai'i is local literature," Lutwak said, "and Bamboo Ridge is really central to that."
5 p.m. Mondays KIPO-FM (89.3) Details: www.hawaiipublicradio.org (click on KIPO, then Aloha Shorts) Tomorrow's show: Marie Hara's "Fourth Grade Ukus," performed by Nara Springer Conaty Watch live tapings 7 p.m. Sept. 13 and Oct. 11 (every second Monday of the month) Atherton Performing Arts Studio, 738 Kaheka St. Free Reservations: 955-8821
Most of the works used in the show are publications of Bamboo Ridge Press. Past programs have included selections from Lois-Ann Yamanaka's "Saturday Night at the Pahala Theatre," performed by Janice Terukina; Darrell Lum's "Da Beer Can Hat," performed by Daryl Bonilla; and Gary Pak's "The Valley of Dead Air," performed by Keith Kashiwada.
'Aloha Shorts'
"Most people aren't used to listening to fiction or long narratives on the radio, but it really works," said Lum, editor at Bamboo Ridge. "It's interesting to me to see (the actors') take on it."
Upcoming shows include "From the Stone the Virgin Mary Sees Everything: A Trilogy" by R. Zamora Linmark and read by BullDog, "Carnival Queen" by Mavis Hara and read by Nara Springer Conaty and "Hoolulu Park and the Pepsodent Smile" by Juliet S. Kono and read by Terukina.
Bamboo Ridge Press and Honolulu Theatre for Youth are nonprofit agencies with little money to spare, Lutwak said, so "Aloha Shorts" was a way to create something by drawing on existing resources: published stories, talented theater actors and a public-radio venue.
"With not too much effort, we're able to bring these pieces together and have a show," Lutwak said.
The response so far has been positive, said Jeff Ilardi, production director at Hawaii Public Radio.
"We've gotten e-mails and calls from many of our listeners who have either enjoyed it or asked if they could get a copy of it or more information about the author," Ilardi said.
The program may be a means to build support for local writing, both Lutwak and Ilardi said.
"I hope more people realize how much great literary talent we have here in the Islands," Ilardi said.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
At the very least, the program should encourage readers not to head straight for national bestsellers at bookstores, he said.
Actress Nara Springer Conaty records a reading of a short story for airing at Hawaii Public Radio.
"A lot of people don't always find their way into the local literature section in their bookstore," Ilardi said. "I'm hoping people will recognize that this stuff is out there and it's available for them to pick up and enjoy."
Through "Aloha Shorts" and Bamboo Ridge, Lum also wants to continue nurturing local writers to write about their local experiences.
"Our lives are the stuff of local literature and there's an audience for this," Lum said.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.
