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File (2024): \u201cBig Hearts on a Little Island\u201d author Victoria Moore at the Lahaina Resource and Recovery Center Event in West Maui with auntie Nettie Aquino. (Photo Credit: Arifin Graham)<\/p>\n\nFile (2024): \u201cBig Hearts on a Little Island\u201d author Victoria Moore at the Lahaina Resource and Recovery Center Event in West Maui with auntie Nettie Aquino. (Photo Credit: Arifin Graham)<\/p>\n
The Hawai\u2018i Center for the Book has selected \u201cBig Hearts on a Little Island: The Maui Community\u2019s Heroic Response to the 2023 Wildfires\u201d as the \u201cGreat Reads from Great Places\u201d adult title to represent the state of Hawai\u2018i at the 2025 Library of Congress National Book Festival.<\/p>\n
Written by Maui author Victoria Moore, \u201cBig Hearts on a Little Island\u201d documents the grassroots response by community members in the days, weeks and months following the August 2023 wildfires. In its 250 pages, Moore weaves together stories of community care, highlighting acts of compassion shown by neighbors, local professionals, volunteers and others.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile some books under consideration were beautifully designed and others were exceptionally written, this book was the whole package,\u201d said Linda Sueyoshi, who heads the Hawai\u2018i & Pacific Section at the Hawai\u2018i State Library. \u201cNot only was the book design well executed, with terrific photography throughout, but the writing was also absolutely captivating. On top of that, its uplifting message about the power of community and aloha warmed the heart and restored one\u2019s faith in humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n
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For Sueyoshi, the spirit behind the project was equally inspiring. \u201cThe entire team that worked on this book project, including the author, donated their time and skills pro bono, with all proceeds going back into the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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Volunteers unloading boat. (Credit: Selket Kaufman)<\/p>\n
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Joey\u2019s Kitchen volunteers. (Credit: Juvy Macadangdang)<\/p>\n
Currently in its second print run, 100% of proceeds from book sales will support the rebuilding and regrowth of the Lahaina Public Library.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing selected for the National Book Festival is a tremendous honor,\u201d Moore said. \u201cThis book was born out of heartbreak, but also out of love. In all my years of international relief work, I have never seen anything as inspiring as what I witnessed here on Maui after the fires. I\u2019m so grateful I was able to help archive these beautiful stories, and I look forward to sharing them with readers across the nation in September.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The National Book Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., where thousands of readers will gather to celebrate literature from across the country and US territories.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe news today can be quite discouraging and disheartening,\u201d said Sueyoshi. \u201cBut \u2018Big Hearts\u2019 is like a breath of fresh air that reminds us that the instinct to help and care for each other is within all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cBig Hearts on a Little Island\u201d is available at select retail locations across Maui and online at