There's just something about Hawai'i that keeps "Luann" cartoonist Greg Evans coming back.

Maybe it's the air or the weather — or the fact that one of the strip's characters, Aaron Hill, now lives in Kailua.

Whatever the reason, Evans is back again, this time to talk to fans and future cartoonists at public libraries across O'ahu. (See box)

"It's as if all the scenic beauty and balmy weather and friendly people exude a magic ether that permeates everything and gives the Islands a special spirit," he said from his San Diego home. "It just feels good to be there."

Evans, who created the popular strip in 1985, feels a special connection to the Islands, where he has vacationed several times. He loves it here so much, in fact, he has incorporated Hawai'i into his strip, particularly when Hill, Luann's uber-crush, moved to Kailua last year.

Though he's here to dish about his work, Evans has other plans, too. Like playing tourist and hanging out with his cartoonist friends.

"Other than that, (I'm doing) not much," he said. "Which, to me, is the whole point of going to Hawai'i — to not do much."

But before succumbing to the intoxicating sunshine, Evans answered a few more questions:

Q. Your fans know how much you love Hawai'i. I bet Hawai'i's libraries didn't have to twist your arm to speak for the Toon Writer Program. How did you get involved?

A. They twisted my arm. Actually, they contacted me out of the blue. It was a very pleasant surprise.

Q. Do you typically do these kinds of speaking engagements at public libraries? What will you be talking about?

A. These will be the first library talks I've ever done. I'll be drawing my characters, explaining the process of doing a daily strip and answering questions such as "Were you a voracious reader as a teen?"

Q. So, were you a voracious reader as a teen? What were your favorite books?

A. I've always loved to read. My older brother was the out-going athlete of the family, so I carved out my niche as the introspective creative one. I believe reading is an excellent way to nurture creativity. My favorite book as a teen was "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." I know. Odd choice. Maybe I identified with the solitary life of a hunchbacked bell ringer, which is quite similar to that of a cartoonist.

Q. When did you know you wanted to be a career cartoonist? Was there a moment when you realized, "Hey, I can actually do this for a living!"?

A. Yes. I was 11 and I read someplace about submitting cartoons to magazines. I'd always thought that cartoonists did it for fun. Suddenly, I saw cartooning as a possible career. I did some research to find which magazine paid the most for cartoons, then I went into my bedroom and began drawing cartoons for ... Playboy. And anyone who wants to hear the rest of this story will have to come to a library.

Q. You based Luann on your then-preteen daughter. That was 20 years ago. What is your daughter like now and has Luann grown up with her?

A. My daughter inspired Luann but is nothing like her — except for the messy room. My daughter is tall and slim and lovely and confident. She's married and is an elementary school teacher. So these days I find inspiration in malls, on TV and in magazines. I spend a lot of time observing and thinking about teens. Keeps me young.

Q. What is the best part of your job? (There must be a lot!)

A. I can sleep in as late as I want; I don't have to shave every day; I have no morning commute. On a larger scale, knowing that I provide a little bit of daily entertainment to millions of people is very satisfying. Also a little scary. It's quite a responsibility and I often wonder if I'm always giving it my best. Maybe I should be getting up a little earlier ...

Q. Do you think you'd ever base "Luann" — or maybe a future strip — here in the Islands?

A. Not unless I lived there. Hmm ...

Meet toon Writer Greg Evans