WAILUA HOMESTEADS — Writer and poet Dawn Fraser Kawahara, founder of Kaua‘i’s TropicBird Press, is seeking original photos or art depicting the optical phenomenon known as the “green flash” of the sun at horizon.
The winning photograph (or photo of artwork) must be appropriate to incorporate into the cover design for the newest book planned for publication by TropicBird Press, a compendium by subject topic of Kawahara’s five years of signature “Green Flash” columns originally published in The Garden Island newspaper, 2015 through 2020.
The submission sought should depict the wink that occurs during the phenomenon.
“Science and observation prove that this two-second refraction of light occurs at either sunrise or sunset anywhere on earth, and usually during an unobstructed view of the ocean,” Kawahara said. “However, the conditions on the horizon must be just right — usually cloudless.”
To be eligible for consideration for the offered prize, the competition submissions are to arrive by June 30, and fulfill all guidelines. All entries are to be submitted for judging electronically per the specifications. There is no entry fee. The winner will be notified within the following week. A press release of the outcome of the competition will follow.
“Anyone may enter,” says Kawahara. “Resident or visitor, adult or student, professional or non-professional.” The winning photographer or artist will retain all rights to their photograph or artwork after granting first rights to TropicBird Press for publication and unlimited use of all related visual promotion of the finished book.
The prize consists of acknowledgment of the cover photographer or artist within the book and on Kawahara’s dawnkawahara.com website (currently under construction); two copies of the Green Flash book after publication; a gift set of Kawahara’s memoirs and travel tales — “Jackals’ Wedding” and “Burma Banyan” — retailing for $50; a pass for four to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, an optimal place for watching tropicbirds and other birds and sea creatures; or, in the case of mainland or international entries, an extra Green Flash book will be added with postage paid for mailing the prize to the winner, and a $50 credit with Kawahara’s Tropic Bird Press for editing, promotional writing or scripts for personalized wedding/vow renewal ceremonies, valid through June 2021.
Kawahara’s books have gained attention, been nominated for, and have won awards for their quality and design. Interested people can read “sneak peeks” at the Amazon web store and — coming soon — at dawnkawahara.com.
Her most recent book, “Burma Banyan, A Daughter’s Legacy,” was published in October 2019, and there is another manuscript now beginning to unfold, a novel based on her husband’s family dynasty and wartime internment-camp incarceration.
For more information and a list of guidelines, email tropicbirdpress@gmail.com.
