Today we’d like to introduce you to Sasha Lee.
Hi Sasha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve grown up living in LA, but my heart has always belonged to my family’s hometown: Hanapēpē. Colloquially known as “Kauai’s biggest little town,” Hanapēpē has always been a special place in my life. I have fond memories of sitting beneath the same Banyan tree that generations before me had, sipping on a Hawaiian Sun, and listening to my grandpa tell stories of our family’s past. In 2017, my grandpa passed away. When I would return to Hanapēpē, I saw the town not with the romanticized nostalgia I had before but as a town struggling economically in the aftermath of agricultural corporations’ departures. Conversations with my aunt, a former local elementary school teacher revealed the challenges facing the local youth, created by the lack of resources for Title 1 Schools and her observed decline in literacy.
When I was 15, I decided I needed to do something to both honor my grandpa and uplift Hanapēpē. I didn’t want to just raise money; I wanted to create something with a more meaningful and long-lasting impact.
I set out to write a children’s book set in Hanapēpē, reflecting on its past and looking to its future. More than an inspiring story of a boy whose thoughtfulness brings prosperity to his town, the book is an etymological tale for the discovery of coffee and the impact that this agricultural product has had on my family’s small town. My hope is that local kids can not only see themselves in this book but be empowered by this fictional tale. Over the past two years, I’ve dedicated myself to writing, self-publishing, and distributing my book. In addition to the children’s book, I’ve conducted interviews with local organizations like Resilient Roots to highlight real-life heroes that embody the spirit of the book’s protagonist Ron. As a non-profit organization, proceeds from “The Hanapēpē Hero” book sales are donated to ‘Ele ‘Ele Elementary School, the local school that my grandpa went to, and Hawaii Literacy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
What I didn’t realize when I set out to publish a children’s book is that writing it would be the easiest part. Initially, I cold-emailed many bookstores in hopes of them stocking my book, and I received many “no”s in response. As a self-published author who lacked credibility, I was met with the stiff bureaucracy of the publishing industry. Skepticism from bookstores meant very few were willing to have me for book readings or carry my book on their shelves. However, with persistence, I managed to find independent bookstores who were willing to take a risk on me. In fact, “The Hanapēpē Hero’s” niche as a children’s book about community responsibility and Pacific Islander culture opened up opportunities in BIPOC bookstores like Octavia’s Bookstore in Pasadena. Today, my book is sold online as well as several stores in Los Angeles and the Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapēpē.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Hanapepe Hero Children’s Book and Social Enterprise. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
The Hanapēpē Hero is different because it’s not a typical children’s book about Hawaii. Rather than a general tourist souvenir, it is grounded in the culture of a specific town with nods to culturally significant places like The Hanapēpē Swinging Bridge and Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale. The specificity of the book solidifies that it’s not a tourist souvenir but written for the local community. More personally, as a current high school senior, I hope that my story as an author and entrepreneur can help to encourage other kids to seek out what they are passionate about and fight for the communities that mean the most to them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel lucky and grateful to have had the support of my friends and family as I’ve pursued building “The Hanapēpē Hero” company and non-profit organization. But most of all, I’m incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to give back to my family’s hometown and to the lives of the local kids who see a piece of themselves in “The Hanapēpē Hero.”
Contact Info:
- Website: thehanapepehero.com
- Instagram: thehanapepehero
- Other: https://www.amazon.sg/Hanapepe-Hero-Sasha-Lee/dp/B0CLBR6KXQ
Image Credits
Sasha Lee
