Some Fun News!
over 1 year ago
– Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 04:36:52 PM
Last month, our book was featured in a story by KHON2 News at home in Hawaiʻi. The article talked talked about the importance of revitalizing the Hawaiian language and credits critical organizations like Aha Pūnana Leo for their efforts to encourage and educate keiki (young children) in their formative ages.
In the not so distant past, schools used corporal punishment and social sanctions to deter students from using ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i (Hawaiʻiʻs native language). Schools banned its usage, and it was strictly forbidden to use ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i anywhere within schoolyards or buildings. This eventually extended into homes where parents discouraged or even punished their own children for speaking the native tongue.
Hawaii Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke praises efforts by Aha Punana Leo and other organizations who are dedicated to revitalizing the native language. She expressed that "We are actually reversing the negative impact of the overthrow of our government 130 years ago by bringing our language back through the voices of our children and to see our Hawaiian worldview in everything that they do."
We are honored to have our book "Shadows of the Ancient" featured in the article. It is our kuleana (responsibility) to do our parts and to instill and celebrate our culture and language.
Thank you for helping us to continue this important work!
View the full article.
2023 FULFILLMENT UPDATE
almost 2 years ago
– Thu, Jan 26, 2023 at 03:48:33 PM
Aloha backers,
A belated Happy New Year to everyone! Hope youʻre safe and healthy. As we prep for another busy year here at the Burning Spear, we wanted to let everyone know that we are currently 93% shipped/fulfilled for this project with 8 backers who have not yet responded to their survey. So, if youʻre one of these folks, please check your emails and look out for reminders from BackerKit. We have sent many of these reminders over the past few months and would like to continue demonstrating to Kickstarter that we deliver on our promises.
In 2023, weʻre hoping to launch 3 new projects here on Kickstarter - our Black HIstory month celebration on the Moana Nui Podcast, our second activity book with even more goodness than the first, and Book 4 in the Adventures of Nakoa and Nohea series (not yet named).
Journey to ʻIkuā (Book 3) is currently in production and weʻre shooting for a Summer 2023 delivery!
As always, you can find our books, merch, and more on our website. Thanks again for supporting us and helping us to put smiles on these faces!
Me ke aloha,
The Burning Spear Team
More books for our backers!
about 2 years ago
– Fri, Oct 28, 2022 at 10:12:35 PM
Happy Aloha Friday everyone!
As we head into the weekend, Iʻm so excited to share that your support has helped us UNLOCK a new digital comic The Last Ember for all backers on the Journey to ʻIkuā campaign! Youʻll receive this with your chosen rewards... and weʻre not stopping there!
Once we hit the $7,000 milestone and our halfway point, weʻll UNLOCK the next bonus comic - Night Wolf by my good friend Rob Multari. If you love werewolf lore as much as I do, then I highly recommend this book! Iʻm so excited to be able to share it with each of you soon! Back it now.
Born into the outcast breed of werewolves known as the Monoki, eighteen-year-old Rodney Marcelli is reluctantly thrown into an ancient war between good and evil in today's world where the line has blurred. With the help of Snow Paw, the Pureblood Monoki, and the supernatural evil slayer, Night Hunter, Rod must learn to master his newly found lycanthropy and mysterious kinetic energy power that only he possesses. While struggling to keep his soul from the conflict within, Rod must fight the Dark Covenant in order to avenge his friends and family, and save the girl he loves from the master vampire, Lord Malice.
Behind The Scenes on Story Monster
Moana and Ryan enjoyed a great conversation about publishing books, collaboration, and preserving culture on the Story Monster podcast. Ryan talks about the long journey to finding his unique art style and how he loves sharing it with the world.
You can listen to the full episode here.
MORE PROJECTS TO LOVE
The Peoples of Nigeria: Children's Book on Nigerian Culture
The Peoples of Nigeria is a children's chapter book featuring 30 families from 36 different ethnic groups across Southern, Central and Northern Nigeria. Six of the children belong to inter-tribal families. Each child will teach your children, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren about their ethnic group’s culture. Back this campaign here!
Knocking on $4500 and new bonuses!
about 2 years ago
– Wed, Oct 19, 2022 at 07:58:41 PM
Aloha everyone!
We are close to the $4,500 mark on the Journey to ʻIkuā campaign and we unlocked 6 bonus books for everyone who backs the campaign!
Our Word of the Day series continues with KALUNA which means to be on top or the boss.
In Journey to ʻIkuā, Kaluna is an over-adventurous daredevil, born and raised in the quiet village of Anahola, who is not afraid to take risks. With absent parents most of his childhood, Kaluna was hānai (adopted) and raised by grandparents who give him the freedom and independence that led to his risk-taking tendencies. Upon discovering his lineage, Kalunaʻs eyes are opened to the hard truth about why his parents were absent most of his life. Kaluna must overcome tragedy, as well as his abandonment and trust issues, in order to learn the discipline and confidence required to battle the ancient Nunu who destroyed his ancestors many centuries ago.
FUN FACT: Kaluna was inspired by my great-grandfather and the long line of risk-taking boys who followed him!
See what kinda mischief Kaluna gets into in Journey to ʻIkuā! Be our 105th backer and help us pass the $4500 milestone!
By supporting our projects, youʻre helping us create high quality books for kids in communities who need these stories the most while also inspiring children of all ages to tell stories of their own.
Our new book is LIVE!
about 2 years ago
– Sun, Oct 16, 2022 at 08:39:56 PM
After a strong 1st week, our newest book Journey to ʻIkuā is off to a great start. We passed the $4,000 mark and are just 2 backers away from hitting our 100 backer milestone!
Nakoa and Nohea are two children living a happy, simple life in the remote islands of Hawaiʻi. Their close relationship with their Papa takes them on ocean adventures to learn about the watery world around them. As they get older and gain some independence, Nakoa and Nohea earn the freedom to go off on adventures with their cousins a little further away from home. The kids soon discover that creepy things are lurking in the depths. Stakes are raised and new revelations come to light in Journey to ʻĪkua!
After their world is shaken up by a mysterious threat, Nakoa and Nohea embark on a quest to discover the truth about the history of their island home. Along the way, they meet the ancient and mystical Kahuna of ʻĪkua, tussle with tentacled troublemakers, and eventually discover a family secret that will send them on yet another adventure with the warriors of Peaiki!
We're reaching out to YOU because you expressed interest in our project, and we wanted to make sure that you pledge now.
WEEK 2 BONUSES
Today begins a new week. and with a new week comes new bonus comics for all of our backers!
Alchemist of Aurillia by MJ Massey
An apprentice wizard and her new familiar have to survive a terror in the night.
Atom Bug by Michael Mauro
The Defendants struggle to save their homeworld from an apocalyptic shadowform.
The Herebey Dragons by Simon Birks
Bobby is just a normal boy with a normal mother. Or so he thought. But when she takes him to an antiques shop one lunchtime, he discovers a prism which harbours a secret his ancestors have sworn to protect.
Like Father, Like Daughter by Kat Calmia
A high school girl, Casey Ryder, inherits the very powers that made her superhero father leave their family.
Spectress by Kurt Zauer
Spectress gets a taste of the life she dreams of. Under the identity of Rasha Rashed, Spectress comes into conflict with fanatic looters and the rival that could snatch away the position and the purpose she craves. The ancient Egyptian ghost joins a team of tough archaeologists on an all-guns-blazing mission to recover stolen artifacts from ISIS extremists!
Robyn #1 by Simon Birks
Robyn is an ongoing comic series about a young, intelligent and skillful girl who just happens to be an outlaw, surviving on her own in Sherwood Forest! Until, that is, she runs an errand for the dubious Tuck, which leads her into her greatest adventure yet; one that she cannot complete alone.
All of these comics will be yours absolutely free when you back Journey to ʻIkuā now!
Mahalo nui (Thanks so much),
Moana and Burning Spear Comix
