Lee Cataluna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Writer
- playwright
- journalist
Lee Cataluna | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 1, 1966 |
| Occupation |
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| Education | University of the Pacific (BA) University of California, Riverside (MFA) |
| Spouse | Jim Kelly |
| Website | |
| leecataluna | |
Lee Dorothy Alohakeao Cataluna is a prominent Native Hawaiian playwright, author, and journalist whose work is foundational to contemporary local literature and theater in Hawaiʻi.[1] Her career spans decades of storytelling across newsprint, stage, and books, characterized by a distinct focus on the nuances of "local" identity, humor, and the working-class experience in the islands.[2] As of 2026, she remains a leading voice in shaping Hawai'i narratives, frequently commissioned by major national theater companies to bring Hawai'i's history and modern life to a broader audience while contributing to local journalism.[2]
Cataluna was born and raised on the island of Maui, an upbringing that deeply informs her ear for local dialect and community dynamics.[1] She is of Native Hawaiian and Portuguese descent, often exploring the intersections of these cultures in her writing.[3] Her Native Hawaiian family, the Kainoapuka line, is from the island of Kauai.[4][5][3] Her father, Donald Cataluna, served as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for Kauai from 2000 to 2012.[6]
Cataluna earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Pacific before pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside.[4] Her academic training in creative writing, combined with her Maui roots, allowed her to transition seamlessly between the rigorous structure of journalism and the imaginative demands of the stage.[1]