Lee Cataluna

Lee Cataluna
Born (1966-10-01) October 1, 1966
Wailuku, Hawaii, U.S.
EducationUniversity of the Pacific (BA)
University of California, Riverside (MFA)
Occupations
  • Writer
  • playwright
  • journalist
SpouseJim Kelly
Websiteleecataluna.com

Lee Dorothy Alohakeao Cataluna is a 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]

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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lee Cataluna". Honolulu Civil Beat. April 12, 2026. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Acclaimed playwright Lee Cataluna talks about 'Flowers of Hawaii' opening". mauinews.com. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Brandon, Kaitlin Kamalei (February 20, 2019). "An Interview with Lee Cataluna: Ordinary 'Ohana and Real Inspiration". Colorful Pages. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Lee Cataluna | Atlantic Theater". Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Small-town kids should go for it and think big | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper". the.honoluluadvertiser.com. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ Blair, Chad (June 11, 2012). "Kauai OHA Seat Is One Of The Year's Hottest Races". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  7. ↑ Epler, Patti (September 4, 2020). "Lee Cataluna Is Writing For Civil Beat Now". Honolulu Civil Beat. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ "About". Lee Cataluna. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  9. ↑ Parker, Lehua (May 8, 2019). "Book Review: Folks You Meet in Longs and other stories by Lee Cataluna". Lehua Parker. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ Adams, Wanda (September 25, 2011). "Sofa so good". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
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