Laurel Nakanishi is a writer, educator, and author of the book of poetry Ashore (Tupelo Press). She was born and raised in Kapālama on the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i. She holds degrees from the University of Montana and Florida International University and has been fortunate to receive fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation and Japan-US Friendship Commission. Her poetry and essays have appeared in national literary magazines, including Orion, Western Humanities Review, and Fourth Genre. She teaches creative writing in Hawai’i.