Oahu Couple Launches Independent Publishing House, Bringing Children’s Books and Poetry to Readers from Hawaii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Duck Island Publishing combines creativity, community, and island-inspired storytelling through original books and creator-owned projects.

HONOLULU, Hawaii — What began as a goofy shark song and a shared dream between two island-dwelling music lovers has grown into Duck Island Publishing, a new independent publishing house based on Oahu.

Founded by Darian Chavez and Roland Gabriel, Duck Island Publishing was created as a home for original storytelling, publishing children's books, poetry, fiction, and future creative projects while remaining rooted in authenticity, imagination, and community.

The company's first two releases represent two very different sides of storytelling.

Watch Out, Mr. Hammerhead! by D.R. WhaleTail is a colorful children's picture book inspired by a song written more than two decades ago and recently rerecorded with the author’s children.

Designed for young readers and ocean-loving families, the book follows a playful hammerhead shark through a vibrant underwater adventure.

On the other end of the spectrum is Love Feels Sounds by D. Nicole, a poetry collection
exploring love, loss, healing, and rediscovery. 

"People are often surprised that we publish both children's books and poetry," said Chavez. "But to us, they're both about connection. One speaks to the imagination of childhood and the other speaks to the emotional experiences we carry as adults."

Building the company has been a labor of love. Neither founder entered the process as
professional illustrators, printers, or publishers. Creating Watch Out, Mr. Hammerhead! required learning illustration software, book design, print production, and navigating the
often-complicated world of independent publishing.

The journey also highlighted the challenges faced by small creative businesses in Hawaii,
including limited local printing options, shipping costs, and the complexities of working with national publishing platforms.

Rather than compromising on quality, the founders have continued searching for solutions that allow them to create books exactly as they envision them—including future plans for local short-run printing and premium glossy-page editions of their children's titles.

The company is currently developing a deluxe edition of Watch Out, Mr. Hammerhead! featuring activity pages, multiple new children's books, additional poetry collections, fiction projects, and future collaborations with creators outside the company.

"One of the things we're most proud of is that we've managed to stay authentic throughout the process," said Gabriel. "We're still figuring things out every day, but we want Duck Island
Publishing to feel human. We want people to know there are real people behind these books who genuinely love creating."

The founders describe Duck Island Publishing's mission simply:
Small island. Big imagination.

As the company enters its next phase of growth, the focus remains on building a sustainable creative platform from Hawaii while continuing to create meaningful stories for readers of all ages.

About Duck Island Publishing

Duck Island Publishing is an independent publishing house based on Oahu, Hawaii. 

Founded by Roland Gabriel and Darian Chavez, the company publishes children's books, poetry, fiction, and storytelling-driven creative projects. 

Its mission is to create authentic, creator-owned stories that inspire imagination, connection, and curiosity.

Media Contact

Roland Gabriel & Darian Chavez
DuckIslandPublishing.com
Email: hello@duckislandpublishing.com
Instagram: @duckislandpublishing

Available Upon Request
● Founder interviews
● High-resolution author photos
● Book cover images
● Behind-the-scenes creation photos
● Original Mr. Hammerhead sketches
● Review copies of Watch Out, Mr. Hammerhead!
● Review copies of Love Feels Sounds