While I was in Hawaii, Feb-April, I visited three Hilo Elementary Schools and shared my book in 9 sessions with approximately 600 Hawaiian children (Keiki)! So today, my heart smiled plenty big when I opened my email! I received some pics from the principal of Keaukaha Elementary School in Hilo, HI, where I read my book to approximately 90 Keiki! (3 sessions…pre-school, K-1st grade)
As you can tell from this pic…Mino’aka Ku’o Pu’uwai… MY HEART SMILES… plenty big!
The beautiful Keiki gifted me handmade leis at the start of each presentation! A touching moment of Aloha that I carry with me always!
It was an honor to have an opportunity to share my book at their school. I appreciated: Their bright smiles! Their eagerness and attentiveness! Their enthusiasm in “helping” me to turn the pages by forming a heart with their fingers and calling out “My Heart Smiles!” 
A side note: While I was on island, I stayed with my cousin, Bob, and his wife, Barbara. After I returned to the mainland, Barbara gave one of my books to her former University of Hawaii-Manoa secretary, who has a young son. He happened to be in one of my book reading sessions at Keaukaha Elementary. When she showed him the book, he said, “Mommy, Auntie Diana is a real author! She’s a real author! She came to my school!” Could my heart smile any bigger right now as I type this? I don’t think so!
Oh yes, if you were wondering if I’d fly to Hawaii again and do some more book readings…well, there ARE several more elementary schools in Hilo! And, I do… I sure do hear them calling me back to this beautiful tropical island that lives in my smiling heart! Mino’aka Ko’u Pu’uwai!
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