Laurel Nakanishi was born and raised in Kapālama, O‘ahu, with ancestral roots that connect her to Japan and the European continent. She is a writer, educator, and author of the book of poetry, Ashore. Laurel has served communities in Hawaiʻi, Nicaragua, Montana, and Florida as a teaching artist, bringing poetry to public/charter schools and community spaces. She holds degrees from the University of Montana and Florida International University, and has been fortunate to receive fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation and Japan-US Friendship Commission. Laurel is grateful for family dinners, toddler jokes, mangoes, kukui groves, the ocean, and the many amazing young people she meets in Hawai‘i public and charter schools.

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