Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams is the debut author of An Expanse of Blue, a YA novel in verse and a contributor to Legendary Frybread Drive-In, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, which received the 2025 Michael L. Printz Award and American Indian Youth Literature Award. Her poetry appears in The Country in the Mirror: Poems of Protest & Witness, edited by Sharon Darrow and in Witness: Poems to Address the Past, Present, and Future of Policing, edited by Ari Tison and Ty Chapman, illustrated by Damon Davis. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Kaua is of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, and European descent and grew up as a part of the Native Hawaiian diaspora in Washington state. Today she lives in Carlsbad, California with her husband, where she spends her time writing, reading, dancing hula, and bending to her dogs’ every whim. Find her on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads @kauawrites for book news, musings, and a surplus of dog photos

"Via distinctive and emotionally resonant verse, Adams crafts an evocative story about identity, devotion, and belonging. Measured and profound language—arranged in short lines, cascading stanzas, and block formations that reflect emotional shifts—conveys Aouli’s internal growth and cultural awakening with aching assuredness. " — Publisher's Weekly (starred review)"This heartfelt debut novel in verse will appeal to both literary and reluctant readers, as will Aouli’s fervent love for her sister and Nalu, for the blue sky, and for the big blue sea." — Booklist (starred review)"An intimate slice of life about grief, sisterhood, and the power of being seen. Adams skill is evident as tells the story from inside a specific diasporic community and, because of its diaristic format, An Expanse of Blue is intrinsically intimate. But as is so often true of poetry, its specificity is what lends to its universality--in the wide expanse of space between Aouli's words, anyone might find a piece of themselves reflected." — Shelf Awareness (starred review)"An emotionally raw, nuanced work from a new voice to watch. Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) debut novelist Adams makes strong use of the verse format, effectively utilizing layout to emphasize meaning in this culturally rich coming-of-age story. Aouli’s desperate yearning to be seen and valued for herself will resonate widely." — Kirkus Reviews"Empowering...Rather than building toward neat resolution, the novel embraces uncertainty. Aouli’s world is not magically repaired. Yet what she gains is something more enduring: the recognition that she has wings." — School Library Journal"Executed beautifully, with an unforced elegance in its artistry that avoids getting overly precious but utilizes every word and every page. Rebellious daughters who found kinship in Julia in Sánchez’s I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter may find another like-minded comrade in Aouli." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Adams’s verse novel makes inventive use of the page as a visual medium. Her imagery evokes emotions and experiences ranging from isolation, helplessness, and loneliness to self-confidence, courage, and freedom. While Aouli experiences loss and changes in her relationships, she also gains self-trust, romantic love, and connection to her ancestors" — The Horn Book