2 Thursday, March 30, 2017 Barbara F. Kawakami, right, signs copies of her book, “Picture Bride Stories.” ‘Picture Bride Stories’ inspirational, historical Barbara F. Kawakami began writing her first book, “Japanese Immigrant Clothing in Hawaii” in her 60s when she went back to school to pursue a master’s degree in Asian studies. She was asked, however, to take out 150 pages of her 450-page book before it could be published because it was just too long. “I always thought, someday, I wanted to do the best parts of the stories — the personal histories that I had to take out of the first book — in a second book,” explains Kawakami, now 95. But it was a long road to get there. After taking care of her ailing husband for six years, she finally set to work on the content she omitted more than 20 years ago. Kawakami’s second book, “Picture Bride Stories,” was published last year. During the 1885-1924 immigration period of sugar plantation laborers from Japan to Hawaii, many single men sent for brides to join them in Hawaii when it became apparent they would not be returning to Japan. More than 20,000 “picture brides” made the long journey from Courtesy photo Japan to marry husbands whom they knew only through photographs and correspondence exchanged between them or their families. Based on her interviews with 16 of these women, Kawakami’s “Picture Bride Stories” is a collection that recounts the lives these women led as picture brides settling and building a new life in a strange land. The Hawaii Japanese Center, in partnership with the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, will welcome Kawakami at 2 p.m. Saturday at the HJC, where she will present a program and book signing of “Picture Bride Stories,” which received the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association’s 2016- 17 award for adult nonfiction. March 30 2017 4. Colorful art VAC exhibit features bright silk, glass works 6. “Evita” Drama professor to retire after spring musical 10. Puzzles Entertain your brain 12. Let’s Go Out Ono grinds CREDITS: Editor David Bock Writers John Burnett Katie Young Yamanaka Photography Hollyn Johnson Design Bonnie L. Rogers Email your Island Beat announcements to entertainment@hawaiitribune-herald.com See STORIES Page 11 Katie Young YAMANAKA Big Island Vibe
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