Lee Cataluna
American playwright and journalist from Hawaii (born 1966)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
- Writer
- playwright
- journalist
Lee Cataluna | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 1, 1966 |
| Occupation |
|
| Education | University of the Pacific (BA) University of California, Riverside (MFA) |
| Spouse | Jim Kelly |
| Website | |
| leecataluna | |
Early life and education
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]
Career and writing
Journalism career
Cataluna's career in journalism began in television news before she became one of the state's most read newspaper columnists.[1] For many years, her column in the Honolulu Advertiser (later the Honolulu Star-Advertiser) served as a cultural touchstone for residents, covering everything from poignant family stories to sharp political satire.[7] After leaving the daily newspaper circuit, she joined Honolulu Civil Beat as a columnist, where she continues to provide commentary on social justice, Hawaiian sovereignty, and the evolution of island culture.[1]
Playwriting and theater
Cataluna is recognized as one of Hawaiʻi's most prolific playwrights, with over 20 plays produced by companies such as Kumu Kahua Theatre and Maui OnStage.[4][8] In 2025 and 2026, Cataluna's work has seen a significant national push, including commissions from Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., to develop a play about Queen Emma, and collaborations with the San Francisco Playhouse.[2]
Published books
- Folks You Meet in Longs and Other Stories (2005): A collection of her most popular newspaper columns and character sketches.[9]
- Three Years on Doreen’s Sofa (2011): A comedic yet empathetic novel about a man's struggle to reintegrate into society after prison.[10]
- Ordinary ‘Ohana (2016): A children’s book that celebrates the diversity of "ohana" (family) structures in modern Hawaiʻi.[3]
Awards and recognition
Cataluna's work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and she has been a finalist for the prestigious Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. She is a recipient of multiple Elliott Cades Awards for Literature, the highest literary honor in Hawaiʻi.[1]