UH Presents: Arts & Culture for the Community

Elemental stories, a creative writing class

Wednesdays, September 23 – October 28, 2026 (6 Sessions)
6:00pm – 8:00pm 
UH Manoa Kuykendall Room 205.
Fee = $75.00

Click here to register.

With Elemental Stories, we’ll explore the four elements–earth, air, water and fire–through prose and poetry. Connecting to the natural elements gives us new inspiration for our work. For example, water relates to emotions, point of view and the music in our words. We’ll spend time working through pieces of prose and poetry as a class and discuss the power of the elements, with an emphasis on the elements here in Hawaiʻi. From there, we’ll create prompts for new writing and filters for critique. The class is for experienced writers and those picking up a pen for the first time. We’ll look at examples and discuss craft elements such as imagery, character, pacing, tone, theme and conflict. 

In a two-hour class, we’ll spend approximately the first hour in discussion, including interactive activities. The second hour will be devoted to writing and feedback. 

Deborah Harada, M.A writes fiction and poetry. Recently, her essay, Belonging, was included in Honolulu Magazine in a feature focusing on local writers. She has published short fiction and poetry and is currently seeking representation for her first novel. She developed this curriculum and has taught creative writing to a wide range of students, in Hawai’i and Los Angeles. She is Executive Director of the Lōʻihi Arts Foundation. 

www.deborah-harada.com