MauiSlam! Maui's Only Spoken Word Performance Competition

Team Maui SLAM! Returns from National Competition,
better slammers and inspired slam community leaders.

After three years of monthly performance poetry
competitions, Maui SLAM, Maui’s only monthly spoken word
event, became the island’s first official National Poetry
Slam venue when it affiliated with Poetry Slam, Inc.

Team Maui SLAM 2008 was comprised of Rahsol, Pat
Masumoto, Jahsun & J. Marc Mance. And they took an
eclectic mix of Maui poetry to the Superbowl of slam
poetry. More than 300 poets from all over North America
descended on Madison, Wisconsin for "Lyrics on th Lake" a
week long poetry slam festival and the 2008 National
Poetry Slam competition. 77 teams including Team Maui
SLAM! competed on three nights of preliminary rounds in
venues around Madison Square. Although the first timers
from Maui weren't able to make it into the semi-finals,
ranked 69th out of 77, they had a great experience and
learned much.

"Spoken word is now permanently molecularized in all my
body parts. In five days, I witnessed nearly 300 poems of
which 6 were mine, judged a late night slam where a 19-yr-
old's poem changed my life, and now feel a calling to
create group pieces that tickle the spirit. Slam's mother
org, PSi, received an NEA grant, which means every time
we get up and spit our words, we are a national work of
art!" - Pat Masumoto

at is so inspired by her experience in Wisconsin that she
is expanding the Maui slam and spoken word community,
working with Youth Speaks to create Aloha Slam - All Ages
poetry slam and workshop on First Fridays in Wailuku
beginning on September fifth and every First Friday
beginning at 8pm with live bands from 5-7 and pupus.

According to Masumoto, "ALOHA SLAM - A Spoken Word
Competition promotes the creation and performance of
poetry, inspires mentoring, coaches group pieces,
entertains and involves audiences, engages Maui in the
revelry of language!"

Go Pat! Go Poetry!

Jahsun writes, "The trip was an amazing life changing, mind
blowing, heart expanding, soul exploring crazy cool
experience. Madison was such a great town, I would go
there just to chill if I could."

"My trip to Maddison Wisc. for the N.P.S was incredible"
says Rah Sol "a once in a Lifetime opportunity.To
represent Maui and to not only compete with but to also
watch such talented poets was truly a blessing. Maddison
is a beautiful place with lots of love for every one.
Many thanks and much respect to the Maui communtiy for
helping the team and myself get there."