Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 5, 1 May 2012 — 'Descendants' author mum on second book [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Descendants' author mum on second book

By Sarah Paeheeo To say the last five years have been busy for Kaui Hart Hemmings is an understatement. In that short span of time the Hawai'i native relocated from San Francisco to a home in Kailua; adopted a son, Leo, 19 months, with her husband, attorney Andy Lautenbach (they also have a 7-year-old daughter, Eleanor); and spent quite a bit of time traveling. Oh, and she helped make a movie based on her best-selling debut novel, The Descendants. "It was a positive and terrifically fun experience," Hemmings says of

seeing her writing transformed into a movie that has garnered nothing but praise since its release at the 201 1 Toronto Film Festival in September. Hemmings recently finished writing her second book - another accomplishment to add to the roster - but won't divulge just yet what the story will be about. However, she was to appear at the Hawai'i Book and Music Festival, May 5 at Mission Memorial Auditorium, to share the story of The Descendants, with Jeff Peterson accompanying with live music from the movie's soundtrack. The movie, whieh was directed by Alexander Payne of Sideways fame and starred George Clooney as protagonist Matthew King, received widespread aeelaim from critics and was the darling of this year's award season, receiving two Golden Globe Awards for best drama and best actor in a drama, as well as an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay. In his acceptance speech at the Oscars in February, Payne gave a special shout-out to Hemmings,

whom the director had turned to behind the scenes for guidance on everything, from reviewing the screenplay and casting videos to making sure minute details such as character wardrobe and food stayed true to loeal style. ( Hemmings also got the ehanee to be in front of the eam-

eras with a bit part as Matt King's secretary. Her husband, daughter and mother ean be seen in the film, too, as extras.) "(It was) satisfying for something so real and pure to be given attention and praise. I feel very lucky to have met and worked with such wonderful people who translated my book in the very best way," says Hemmings, who was honored March 1 by the Hawai'i Senate for her recent success. But even before Hollywood eame calling, Hemmings' story about the unconventional King 'ohana and their memorable journey to eome together in the face of hardship was being applauded by the literary community for its un-stereotypical portrayal of Hawai'i and its people. And while it is hard to overlook the lush tropical setting and cultural uniqueness that is Hawai'i, Hemmings underscores that both the film and book are not about the Aloha State. "I didn't set out to write about Hawai'i and its people. That wouldn't work for me," said the Punahou graduate who, like her

main character, is a descendant of both Native Hawaiian and missionary ancestry. "I set out to write about a specific person and his world. Hawai'i and some of its people were revealed through his eyes," Hemmings explains. In fact, Hemmings, a former Wallaee Stegner fellow who holds degrees from both Colorado College and Sarah Lawrence College, says she most enjoys writing stories about simple, ordinary people reacting to extraordinary things and about specific places cast in a new light. "(77 le Descendants ) allowed the postcard image of Hawai'i to remain intact, yet adds layers to this image, allowing tragedy, the complexities of family and the mundane details oflife into the picture," Hemmings says. "I just write what I see and know, and I write what I want to know." ■ Sarah Paeheeo, an 0'ahu-based freelance writer, is a former assistant regional editorfor MidWeek

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Author Kaui Hart Hemmings said of her writing inspiration, "I just write what I see and know, and I write what I want to know." - Courtesy: Kaui Hart Hemmings