Page 4 - MidWeek West - Oct 26, 2022

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OCTOBER 26, 2022
Waipahu Native Vera Arita Authors Her Fifth Children’s Book
BY ELLISE KAKAZU
Her most recent book Alo- hasaurus, which is inspired by her late brother who was born with mental challenges, is a prime example.
to become a children’s book author.
Turning pain into pag- es, Waipahu High School alumna Vera Arita often uses unfortunate circumstances as motivation to create chil- dren’s books that educate and entertain.
“Whether she is writing or teaching, Arita seems to have a knack at seeing the positive in every situation.”
“I dedicated my first book (All Around the Islands) to my parents, Bolo and Ei- leen Soneda, because my dad was very ill and I prom- ised him that I would write a book someday,” explains Arita. “In 2006, my brother, Mike, had a seizure and hit his head very hard and be- came brain-damaged. While he was in an extended coma, I promised to write another book and dedicate it to him. Thus, Can You Catch a Co- qui Frog? was written. So, it seems during difficult fam- ily times, I was inspired to write.”
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“Alohasaurus is really a story that I think many people can relate to,” says Arita. “It’s about a dinosaur who has no friends because he looks different and he sounds different. In many ways, it’s like my brother Mike (Soneda) who, social- ly, was ‘different.’”
Waipahu’s own Vera Arita poses with her latest children’s book, Alohasaurus. PHOTO COURTESY VERA ARITA
Showing compassion for those who are different is something she has done throughout her life, as she taught special education for more than 32 years.
retired in 2016, she is able to perpetuate her legacy and love for teaching through her books: All Around the Islands, Can You Catch a Coqui Frog?, Animals Sing Aloha, Alphabet Hukilau and Alohasaurus.
According to Arita, who
taught to all keiki.
cation, which Alohasaurus
is a retired special education
teacher, the lesson of accept-
ing and embracing others’ for social emotional learning unique qualities should be and teaching character edu-
“I reflect on what stories schools in Hawaiʻi could benefit from,” says Arita.
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“There is a huge push in all schools across the nation
“I found it very rewarding to work with the students along with their parents to see gains in communication, social, cognitive and motor
Arita’s books are full of colorful lessons, but she re- vealed dark times pushed her
Whether she is writing or teaching, Arita seems to have a knack at seeing the positive in every situation.
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is all about,” she says. “My dream is to see Alohasaurus in every school library be- cause the message is so im- portant.”
skills,” recalls Arita. Though Arita technically
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