Barbara Kawakami will  have an author talk and book signing of her new book “Picture Bride Stories”.   This book is the result of oral interviews and follow-up research of these women who represent another variation of the American immigrant experience.

Barbara has been a researcher, writer and consultant in a number of projects such as the “Picture Bride” series for Hawaii Public Television and the film, “Picture Bride”.  She has been consultant and lecturer with the Japanese American National Museum.  Her first  Book, “Japanese Immigrant Clothing in Hawai’i 1885-1941” received the Association of Asian Studies Outstanding Book award in 1994 and the Hawaii Publishers Guild Ka Palapala Po’okela Award in 1995,  In 2012, she was recognized by Honpa Hongwani Mission of Hawai’i as a Living Treasure of Hawai’i.

There will be a meet the author and book signing from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by an author talk from 1:00 to 2:00 PM.

This program is sponsored by the Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Kenjin Kai and the Friends of the Hanapepe Public Library.  Program is subject to change.  Contact the library 15 days in  advance to request a sign language interpreter of if special accommodations are needed.