Mele

by Kalehua Kim

Mele, by Kalehua Kim, embodies the meaning of the word "mele" - a Hawaiian song or chant traditionally used to preserve history through the oral tradition. Winner of the Trio House Press Editor's Choice Prize, Kim's debut collection evokes modes of language and culture that shape the contours of memory and expose the fault lines of family and self, as well as the grace and generosity of healing, acknowledgement, and commemoration. The poems reflect on what we inherit and how who we become is intertwined with who our parents were and are, and the pain of facing that "One day your voice will become mine, Ka leo o maua/Though I am not prepared for your end..." With this mele, Kim honors the memory of a lost mother, as well as the struggles of a daughter as she becomes a wife and mother herself, while honoring her roots and forging a new path.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2025

Reviews

[Kayla - the.bookish.mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! There is so much heart in these poems. So much love. They are absolutely beautiful, even while expressing the deepest grief. I was holding back tears multiple times. In these words there is belonging - to yourself, and to the family you come from and create. And oh my word, such strong lines! The author makes each and every one work. They grasp and pull you into the poem. And the care and attention to being mothered, and the act of mothering. Oof, I could go on and on. I know this will be a frequent re-read for me.

[Sabne Raznik · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://sabneraznik.blogspot.com/2025...

[Hafsa | حفصہ · Rating 2 out of 5]

You yearn for the days when your people died / in the beds in which they were born.- Dying Looks Like

This debut collection explored themes of death, family dynamics, and the relationship between mother and daughter and though it seemed to have a lot of potential, eventually, it fell flat. Most poems were forgettable and didn’t stand out individually and there was dissonance in the sequencing of the collection because of the central theme being all over the place. There were many poems which were thematically and voice wise clearly not part of this collection (random love/romantic relationship poems) and if they were parred down, the end result would have been a much more cohesive and thematically sound collection.

[Mea Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Trio House Press for this advance copy. My review remains completely honest without external influence.

Mele is a touching collection of poems that introduce readers to bits of Kalehua's cultural identity and her life experience. She opens this collection with the grief of losing her mother, showing the importance of their relationship and the stark contrast of not having her around anymore. This becomes a foundation in several other poems and sonnets as she shares dialogue and the feelings embedded within the family dynamics, and her own observations of caregiving.

My favourite pieces were "After Her Funeral, I Dream That My Mother Tells Me Her Dreams" and "My Mother's Voice Echoes with Mine".

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was lucky enough to read an early release and am in absolute love with this luscious book. So much longing, yearning, and tender care -- for loved ones and ancestors and lovers and friends. I love the threads that are pulled through, the authenticity of the poet's voice, and the passion that is woven throughout Mele. This is one collection I will keep coming back to, again and again.

[Lisa Stice · Rating 5 out of 5]

These poems sing.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely way to start reading in 2026. I was especially moved by how the poems navigate grief, and what it means to mother and be mothered.