Alyssa ʻĀnela Purcell is an aspiring writer and student at Leeward CC. A graduate of the Kamehameha School, she college plans include pursuing a bachelorʻs degree in creative writing or library science.

About her heart-felt personal essay, He Hawaiʻi Au (I am Hawaiian), Alyssa says,

I’ve struggled with my identity as both a Hawaiian and an American. It’s confusing and at times overwhelming to juggle a Hawaiian identity and an American identity. It’s like being the child of a very toxic relationship, and I don’t want to have to side with one parent because I love them both very much. These are the types of struggles I write about.

I’ve always loved writing, but for the longest time I didn’t want to be a writer. Writers seemed like mythical creatures. And if I wanted to become a mythical creature, I would need a lot of magic and courage, both of which I was born without. I often struggle with whether or not I want to be a writer, and whether or not I have what it takes to be a writer. But once in awhile, it hits me, and I am sure, more than anything, that this is who I am meant to be.

Pūpū A ʻO ʻEwa is proud to feature Alyssa Purcellʻs Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Achievement Award winning personal essay, He Hawaiʻi Au.

credits: feature photo courtesy of Kahoʻolemana Naone, personal photo provided by Alyssa Purcell