WHAT ARE YOU READING?

When I went to college I took literature stuff every semester because I knew when I got back to Moloka'i I wouldn't read because I'd be too busy. Then I never got a chance to read until I got thrown in jail for trespassing on Kaho'olawe. I spent those six months reading, and I read everything I could get my hands on about Hawaiian history and culture. Now I only read something when I have to get something done.

WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE CURRENTLY DOING?

One of the issues is genetically modified organisms, so I do a lot of reading on that — biotechnology, all those things — to understand what I'm getting involved with. Then of course I have to do a lot of reading on the Hawaiian side so I can tie in all these newfangled things to make it relevant to Hawaiians. ... The book that I've read three times already is called "Moloka'i: A Site Survey" by Catherine Summers. It has all of the legends, background, historical sites, maps.

WHAT BRINGS YOU BACK TO IT?

It's almost like a way to become really close and get to know Moloka'i at a personal level. ... It makes Moloka'i more human. Moloka'i is the child of Hina, so this is the child we need to take care of. When you read this book you see: Wow, this child has grown ... it's an intimate relationship with the island. This might explain why we're so crazy about this place.

SO EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT FOR PLEASURE, READING ACTUALLY KEEPS YOU CONNECTED?

We call it homework. You cannot get into an issue without doing your homework.

— Christine Thomas