Maile Meyer is the owner and founder of Native Books and Nā Mea Hawaiʻi. Read about her beginnings of Nā Mea Hawaiʻi and Native Books, Inc. here.

Lise was raised in Kalihi Uka, below the pink store.

They manage the institutional sales process and fulfillment for Native Books. Working with books about and by Hawaiʻi and the Pacific for over 7 years, Lise is also cultivating a skillset to care for Native Books' rare and out-of-print book collection.

Lise's favorite pastime is dream recollection. In addition to dreaming, they enjoy eating and reading, separately and sometimes together.

Sarah Kuaiwa is the big publications book buyer for Native Books. She is responsible for keeping the shelves stocked with beloved titles new and old. Sarah is also a trained historian and art historian specializing in nineteenth century Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian-language materials, and Hawaiian material culture.

Favorite books: The Kingdom and the Republic, The Musubi Book, Clouds of Memories, and Waimea Summer

Allison was born and raised on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. 

She manages the web sales for Native Books, and assists in the management of the Arts & Letters Gallery. Although multifaceted and not short of interests, she doesn’t know what else to write for this bio. She hopes you understand.

Venus is a mestizo person of Nahua, Maya-Chortí, and Garífuna descent. 

They graduated from Hawai'i Pacific University with their BA in English and their TEFL Certification. Currently, Venus takes the lead in event coordination and Native Books' online presence. They hope to amplify Native Books' cozy and educational atmosphere while helping people find the books that speak to them.

Venus's favorite things include reading, drinking caffeinated tea, and spending time with their wife and pets (a bunny, a guinea pig, and a cat). 

Emily is champuru (mixed) Nikkei (Japanese American), Rūchūnchu (Okinawan), and white (Scottish, Irish, etc), with settler ties on Maui, Big Island, Oʻahu, and Tennessee. They grew up in California, on Muwekma Ohlone land, and now live in Mānoa with their parents.  

With apologies to the beloved puke (books), they feel that being around the Native Books hui will always be the richest learning experience! Emilyʻs favorite gift to receive recently is talking-story about peopleʻs favorite books, especially about indigenous literature and activism. Emily also enjoys picking up random craft projects that always seem to leave a big mess.

Letao Chen is a filmmaker and new media artist interested in how meaning is made. She has lived in Beijing, Minneapolis, Boston, London, and now Honolulu. She's grateful for the interconnectedness of art, education, and the community Native Books makes possible. Being part of the hui has made her feel much more at home.