The sound of the ocean’s surf, the flowing lava, and the subtle the sway of our palm trees; Hawaii’s natural environment is already poetry in motion, but we’ve got something even better for those who enjoy the spoken word.
Poets and poetry buffs won’t want to miss Hawaii Slam. On the first Thursday of each month, Hawaii’s best poets gather at the Fresh Café in Honolulu to share their words and compete for a place on Hawaii’s Slam team. The top two poets from each month’s slam compete in a Grand Slam to win a much-coveted place on the team, which travels to compete in various festivals throughout the year.
Started in 2003 by Kealoha, Hawaii’s first Poet Laureate, Hawaii Slam provides a platform for Hawaii’s amateur poets and storytellers. With over 500 in attendance, Hawaii Slam is the world’s largest registered slam in the world.
Not just a Hawaiian treasure, Kealoha’s works have taken him around the world. He has won several awards and was featured on Russell Simmons HBO special, as well as the Grammy nominated “Wild Hawaiian Experience” by Henry Kapono.
In addition to showcasing local talent, Hawaii Slam invites touring poets, musicians and DJ’s to the stage providing guests with exposure to a wide range of performance art.
The next Hawaii Slam takes place on August 7th at the Fresh Café located at 831 Queen Street in Honolulu. The doors open at 7:30 PM for poet sign-up and the show starts at 8:30.
To learn more about the Hawaii Slam competition, you can visit their website here:
