About Me
Hi! I’m a freelance journalist, writer and editor based in Honolulu, Hawai’i with more than 10 years of experience in marketing and journalism. I currently work as contributing editor for HONOLULU Family and write for local and national publications including Hana Hou!, HONOLULU Magazine, Land and People Magazine, TripAdvisor, Salon.com and more. I moved from Japan to Hawai‘i back in 2008 to pursue BA degrees in English and Communication from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and in 2015, I graduated with a Masters in Communication from Hawai'i Pacific University. Some of my past work includes working full-time as a features editor for an independent weekly newspaper. I’ve also worked as a communications and creative associate at a marketing agency before starting my business full-time as a freelance writer.
In between writing and being a mom of two, I love reading (check out what I’m reading on Insta at @readinginthe808) and playing video games with my husband Kev after the kids go to bed.
Have a project in mind? You can contact me at maria@mariakanai.com to get started!
“Maria is an amazing writer and editor and I never hesitate to refer her to any of my clients. Whether it’s a client who needs a website, blog, social media, personal bio, press release and more, she is my one and only choice and every client has had nothing but great things to say of her. I’ve worked with Maria for years now and I look forward to many more. She is my one and only referral when it comes to any type of written content!”