BRidges November 2011 - Bamboo Ridge Press

BRidges

The Bamboo Ridge Press Newsletter Vol. XIV, Issue 3 November 2011

Bamboo Ridge Press was founded in 1978 to foster the appreciation, understanding, and creation of literary, visual, or performing arts by, for, or about Hawai‘i’s people. BRP is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization funded by book sales and individual donors and supplemented, in part, by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities. Contributors to this issue: Lee Cataluna, Bamboo Buckaroo, Darrell Lum, Jean Toyama, Juliet Kono, and Phyllis Look.

Doreen on Oÿahu, Hawaiÿi, Maui, and in Jail! Author Lee Cataluna shares her impressions of her whirlwind launch of Three Years on Doreen’s Sofa in October: A total of eight appearances in six days! When I got to the theater at UH Hilo for my reading, they had a sofa on stage for me. Was one buss-up sofa with a granny-square crochet quilt (black and rainbow color) thrown on top. I was so touched and honored! I had so much fun at Hilo. I was there less than 24 hours and ate about seven meals. I did a playwriting workshop in the afternoon and so many students (and faculty) attended that people were sitting on the floor and standing up against the wall! People STANDING AGAINST THE WALL TO WRITE! Hilo is so awesome. And the stuff people wrote during that workshop was amazing. So much talent. The Wine and Words event at Kumu Kahua was special for me because for the first time I heard my protagonist, Bobby, as read by a man! Several men, actually. I was hoping to show that there's a little bit of Bobby in most people, so I had the idea to ask some of my actor friends to help me read that night. I lucked out and got Wil Kahele, Aito Simpson Steele, Jason Kanda, and Mathias Maas to read with me. These guys are all such pros and such good guys to be around, I knew I'd be in good hands. Each of the men brought out a different side of Bobby. It was really fun for me... almost too fun because I forgot I was supposed to read, too. I just wanted to watch the actors do their thing. Native Books is always a fun place to do a reading. It's intimate without being stuffy and just a really lovely, comfortable space. And my friend Mrs. Baldovi came and brought me the hugest jabon I've ever seen! I've never gotten a big ass jabon at a book reading before! Everybody wanted to take pictures with the big jabon! It pretty much stole the show. One of the best things about my little book tour in October was getting to see friends I hadn't seen in a while. On Maui, some of my high school teachers came to see my reading, including Mrs. Charlotte Boteilho, who won state teacher of the year a few years back. She was my speech team coach and a huge influence on my life. The moms of my elementary school friends came to hear me read... I used to play at their houses when I was little and they just came because they wanted to see how I turned out! The cheerleader whose name I stole for one of my plays came. On Maui, I asked my friend from high school, Francis Taua, to read with me. I hadn't seen him since high school but I knew he was a majorly talented actor and had long wanted to connect with him on some project, so that was really cool. The Women's Prison. That was a highlight. I figured if anybody was gonna call bullshit on Bobby, it would be those ladies. I mean, the story is a farce and most of what Bobby says is his fabrication, but what I was looking for was kind of a test of the emotional truth of the story. The ladies were such a great audience, very warm and engaged. We also did some writing exercises and talked about story structure. But so many of the ladies told me they KNEW Bobby and they KNEW Doreen, and one of the program directors told me that Bobby was his -1-

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L top: Jason Kanda, Mathias Maas, Lee, Wil Kahele, Aito Simpson Steele. L #2: Maas, L #3: Kahele. R top: Lee, R #2: Kanda, R #3: Simpson Steele as Bobby grabbing his...ahem. Photos by Max Ida L bottom: What is that? Giant jabon at Native Books. Photos by D. Lum

Revisiting the Massie Affair: new renshi now online! Poets Jean Toyama, Juliet S. Kono, Christy Passion, and Ann Inoshita follow their year-long linked poetry project (No Choice but to Follow) with a new linked poetry (renshi) challenge based on the Massie affair. You can read their new poems every two weeks online. Your comments, reactions, and memories are encouraged! The Massie Case obsessed all of America in the early 1930s and remains one of the most controversial events in Hawai`i history. The case highlighted racial conflicts between locals and recently arrived haoles (military personnel, government representatives, and the territorial haole elite). On September

12, 1931, Thalia Massie, wife of Naval officer Thomas Massie, was allegedly assaulted and raped in Waikīkī by five local men. What followed were two notorious trials that threatened to undermine the delicate racial balance of the Territory of Hawai`i. When a mistrial was declared and the five local men accused of the assault were set free, Lt. Massie, Thalia's mother Grace Fortescue, and two enlisted men kidnapped and murdered one of the defendants, Joseph Kahahawai. Arrested and charged with manslaughter, the four haole defendants were represented by the famous lawyer Clarence Darrow. When they were found guilty of manslaughter, Territorial Governor Lawrence Judd commuted their sentences to one hour served in his company. (Adapted from Dennis Carroll’s article in Kumu Kahua Theatre’s Viewer’s Guide.) This project is made possible through a partnership with the Hawai‘i Council for the Humani1931 cartoon suggesting that the alleged rape ties (HCH). We hope you will visit of Thalia Massie was part of a larger pattern of www.bambooridge.com and click on “RENSHI” native violence against white women.From: and “TEACHERS’ CORNER” to comment, read blogs by the poets, http://aw2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ and to discover teaching and writing strategies for the humanities. massie/massie.html

The Poets’ Blog From Juliet Kono’s Oct 31st blog: In 1962, I lived on Chun Hoon Lane, which was right across Frog Lane, School Street dividing the two. Everything below School and Vineyard, and between Kauluwela Stream renewal, which was to take place soon after the bridge over the new freeway (H-1) was completed. Chun Hoon Lane, Kauluwela Lane, Aloha Broom Factory, the Kishaba family store, and all the other small businesses in the area, plus the small, cramped, camp-like family houses were to be torn down and replaced by the bridge, a new road, as well as tall, new apartment buildings. During the three years that I lived there with my ex-husband's family, people congregated in small groups to talk story, leaning against the cars or fences along the dirt road, or over coffee in the cramped kitchens, many frightened about the coming changes, but most of all, to reminisce about what life had been like for them while living in the area where nobody was white. Too, people had long memories about incidents of powerlessness made more profound by their evictions, land being taken away again, talking about this injustice or that or the prejudices they felt for one group or another. But what was said was often coded, filled with innuendo because this was a small place and you didn't know who was related to whom or who knew each other. I heard stories about the Massie, Fukunaga, and other cases, much of the dislike for the haole in town compounded because many of the accused had come from the same areas. In addition, the people of these "slums" felt that justice was frequently too swift and unequal in their eyes, the implication being that the perpetrators were not white, but "other," therefore treated differently. Many people, I believe, felt subliminally a kind of hatred they did not fully understand in all of its many facets. Still do.

why I had to go to special classes on Friday to blow into a candle. I couldn’t say “the” or “that” or any of the “th’s”. In spite of these special classes I had 3 minuses on my first report card (on a scale of check, plus or minus) at Mānoa Elementary School for spoken and written English and reading. This school was a feeder school to the English Standard high school, Roosevelt HS. Later the English Standard schools were abolished because they created a class system. In fact I was in the last English Standard class of RHS. I never realized until later that the system was elitist and I was among the privileged . Read more online! What are your memories?

No Choice but to buy! A year of poems, written in sequence by four poets who didn’t know each other. A CD of them reading. Each poem linked. Each life linked. And commentary on how it was all done. Available during the BR Holiday Sale and e-book through Amazon. Preview the poems online, click on “Renshi Poetry.”

$20 includes 45 min. audio CD Hawaiÿi Pacific University English Department Local Writers Reading Series Featuring poets: Ann Inoshita, Juliet Kono, Christy Passion, and Jean Toyama

November 30, 2011, Wednesday From Jean Toyama’s Nov. 9th blog: 7:00-7:30PM Reception Racism played a role in the Massie affair, but so did class and 7:30-9:30PM Reading and Q&A money. Sometimes they go together. Immigrants usually have neither and the only way to get some is, of course, education. My parHPU Hawai‛i Loa Campus ents understood this. So when they had a chance to move—a choice 45-045 Kamehameha Hwy. between Kalihi and Mānoa—they chose Mānoa. Some may think this Paul and Vi Loo Theatre a snooty choice, reflecting highfalutin attitudes. Nothing of the sort. AC Building 3rd floor Even though my parents didn’t go beyond eighth grade, they knew that education was the key for the poor. Where was the better Free and open to the public school? In Manoa. It was hardly an affordable place for a carpenter Free Parking and a seamstress, but they saved and borrowed and built their own house. It took a year. Being only in kindergarten I understood none of this. I was going to Ka`ahumanu Elementary, where even there, I was having my pronunciation corrected. I remember my first grade teacher explaining -2-

Doreen continued from p. 1

brother. "I mean, like, except for the name, that IS my brother!" THAT was golden for me! Validation! OK, so for my big Mainland tour... so far, I don't have anything else set up. There's Saguaro Prison early next year, but now that the UCR reading is pau, I have to work on inviting myself to other places. So if anybody has any ideas... The reading at UC Riverside was odd. I think, since it is a grad school, they might not be used to the kind of reading that I do. I mean, I have that theater influence in my background and I try to put on a show. They're used to something more dry and academic ... or that poetry voice thing... so I kind of blew everybody's hair back. Like playing an electric guitar in church. Somebody called me a Hawaiian Rosie Perez, which I wasn't sure was a compliment. And everybody wanted to know where they could buy the audio book. And then they asked me if I knew Dog the Bounty Hunter. Sigh. But I have to say that the particular type of pidgin dialect in the narrative worked well for this audience. I don't think things got lost in translation. And the director of my grad school was very impressed. It was like he met me for the first time at the reading (though I've been in his class!). So I was happy about that. Oh! And a lady who grad `Āina Haina Elementary came just to hear someone from Hawai`i speak, and a lady, Mrs. Jeanne Kalahiki from Kane`ohe who has lived in Palm Springs for 16 years came and she brought me pīkake that she grows in her yard in the desert!

Lee & Mrs. Boteilho. Photo by Kehaulani Cerizo, The Maui News

Got a question for Lee about her book or writing? Ask it! Email to [email protected]. We’ll post Q&A’s online in TEACHERS’ CORNER.

Can’t get enough of Lee? The BR Holiday Specials… —buy one book $15 or more and get any other book, equal or lesser value, for $10 —for starters, get Doreen, Longs, and He Leo Hou (which contains the script for Da Mayah) for $18+$10+$10= $38 plus shipping. (Doreen is also available as an e-book on Amazon.) —catch her with Leslie Wilcox on “Long Story Short” on KHET (see p. 4 for airtimes).

Upcoming Aloha Shorts Programs

The Great BR Fishing & Wishing Contest

The November writing theme choices — with the exception of the last two — are inspired by BR issues #17 and #18. For further inspiration, if you'd like to read the pieces used for the theme choices, you can find these two online: "Watching Fire," by Mary Wakayama "Nostalgia," by Ty Pak So da Bamboo Buckaroo decided fo cut back on da number of theme choices for dis month. Here da 18 Novembah choices: Theme #1: Fire Theme #2: Run like hell Theme #3: Teach him/her a lesson Theme #4: Firecrackers Theme #5: Stand up like a man Theme #6: I couldn't stand waiting Theme #7: Hiding Theme #8: Punishment Theme #9: Nostalgia Theme #10: A hard bargain Theme #11: Recognition Theme #12: A chain of events beyond my control Fishing and wishing at Bamboo Ridge Theme #13: Odd stories Aloha Shorts is a locally produced radio program of writings from Bamboo circa 1978. Photo by D. Lum. Theme #14: The only friend I could trust Ridge Press performed by Hawai‘i’s actors. The shows tape before a live audience on the first Sunday of every month and are broadcast every Tues- Theme #15: Putting it off as long as I could day at 6:30 pm on Hawaii Public Radio’s KIPO Theme #16: Destiny 89.3 FM and now on KIPM 89.7 FM. Visit http:// Theme #17: I never knew my mother was ___________________. www.bambooridge.com or http:// A. Soyama wen use all 20 of the October themes in her October www.hawaiipublicradio.org for more information entry? Right on! This one is to honor her past contest entries. or to listen to podcasts. Aloha Shorts is coAnd what da heck: Theme #18: Thanksgiving! Remember: ONLINE produced by Sammie Choy, Craig Howes, and ENTRIES ONLY! Phyllis S.K. Look. Here’s one of the October winners who used ALL of the themes! The next Aloha Shorts live taping on Sunday, December 4, features the talents of high school readers and musicians. Coming in February, just in time to catch the last of winter’s big waves, a program dedicated to surfing and the ocean. And later in the spring, another “On the Road with Aloha Shorts”: this time, we’ll be taking our microphones, house band Hamajang, and the rest of our crew to the new Mānoa Public Library to help celebrate their grand reopening. This Thanksgiving season, Aloha Shorts producers would like to send our mahalo to our sponsors, Bamboo Ridge Press and Hawaii Public Radio; donors Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities and Karen Yamamoto Hackler; and the corps of volunteer talent to whom we owe our success. In the last three years, those have included 156 writers, 105 actors, 30 musicians, and one on-air host, Cedric Yamanaka. A special shout out to our studio audiences who have caught the Aloha Shorts spirit and who, on request, have dressed in costume, danced the “Time Warp” (see the video on Aloha Shorts’ Facebook page) and even competed in the mildly risqué bridal shower game taught to us by Lisa Linn Kanae in her story “Sassy.” See you soon on the radio! Tapings are FREE but be sure to call 955-8821 for reservations!

Top: Karen Yamamoto Hackler and husband Jeff sport bow ties in honor of Father’s Day (June taping). Wing Tek Lum (L) with Chance Gusukuma, who read two poems from Lum’s Nanjing Massacre at this month’s taping “War! What is it good for?” Photos by Sammie Choy.

“Sisters” by A. Soyama (I used all the words in all themes.) Oka-san tells me to get water and I grab the bucket and start my walk along the enclosed fence. “Can I go with you?” My younger sister skips towards me. “Bug off, what you think this place is? This isn’t one carnival!” Her eyes drop to the ground. “Don’t be hateful,” She gives that faraway look. “We sisters, if I don’t have you, I die. You said so, you would always take care of me remember you told me? On Halloween night, after I fell and skinned my knee.” Her eyes widen. She reminds me so much of him. -3-

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The BR Calendar Nov. 1– Dec. 31: Special holiday pricing on books purchased through the Bamboo Ridge Press online bookstore (as well as at BRP tables at the craft fair listed below): Buy one book with a cover price of $15 or more, pay only $10 for each additional book listed at more than $10. Nov. 19, Sat.: Cane Haul Road Christmas Sale, 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Kuhio Elementary School Cafeteria (across from the Humane Society). Get sale prices and save on shipping. Nov. 29, Tues.: Lee Cataluna on LONG STORY SHORT with Leslie Wilcox - Part 1 of 2, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, repeats on Nov. 30, 11:00 pm on PBS Hawai‘i. Nov. 30, Wed.: Hawai`i Pacific University English Department Local Writers Reading Series, featuring poets: Jean Toyama, Juliet Kono, Ann Inoshita, and Christy Passion. 7:00-7:30 p.m., Reception; 7:30-9:30 p.m., Reading and Q&A (details on p. 2). Nov. 30, Wed.: Lee Tonouchi reading from his new book, Significant Moments in da Life of Oriental Faddah and Son (Bess Press), 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, UH Art Auditorium. Dec. 4, Sun.: Last Aloha Shorts taping of the year, 6:45 pm Hawaii Public Radio (details, p. 3). Dec. 13, Tues.: Lee Cataluna on LONG STORY SHORT with Leslie Wilcox - Part 2 of 2, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, repeats on Dec. 14, 11:00 pm on PBS Hawai‘i. Dec. 31, Sat.: Last day to give a tax-deductible donation to BR! BR factoid: 75% of BR funds comes from book sales and individual donors. The remainder from government and private institutional grants. We are grateful for your support.

“Sisters” continued from p. 3 He spent his last R&R trip visiting his girlfriend on the Big Island then came to O`ahu to visit us. He made me promise a sacred trust that I would BR 100...no we’re not 100 years old! take care of Oka-san and that my sister and me had to rely on each other when he was gone. I didn’t know what he meant until Oka-san tearfully acBR issue #100, available next spring, will include cepted his ashes and I read his obituary in the paper. some familiar names as well as fresh voices, many “I didn't really understand then, why people hate us.” She lifts her eyes selected from our online writing contest. We’re featuring and looks around. “But I understand now,” she whispers. I'm tired of hearing it, tired of playing host to the rules, their hatred tothe work of designer Grant Kagimoto, noted for his wards us and my grief. I'm tired of her daily sunshine and whimsical stories local designs and Cane Haul Road, a screen printing that try to impenetrate my dreary fog. company he started in 1977, a year before BR. So But I wasn’t tired of the fresh rain that fell from her eyes. what’s with the obsession with musubi? One of his “I didn’t give a damn how they make you feel, because I didn’t know it earliest designs was called Ume Surprise, a triangular bothered you. I don’t like this place too, this terrible internment camp we live musubi revealing a red ume in the middle. He recalls in. I am sorry. An if you get one shakuhachi story, geev um. In fact if you get being teased by his siblings, “Watch out for the ume one story about ANY musical instrument, geev um. Make me smile, sister.” surprise!” because he disliked ume and, faced with a box of musubi, I grab her hand and she looks up at me. I see the grey clouds disappear from her eyes and sunshine sparkles could never tell which ones had the “surprise.” Thus started a comthrough as she sings a story to me while we walk. pany and a career of drawing musubi critters. More in issue #100. -4-