Kapoho’s book launch from Hilo , Hawaii
Found our old house lot in Kapoho
It was more than books sold, more than number of people who stood in line at my book signings. It was, what Kapoho has always been…her people.
Ninety one year old Suzuki, a conductor on the passenger train we called Motor Car came to both signings. He was a young rascal to us Kakugawa kids who rode the train for free since my father was working for the railroad company. Wilson would ask us, “Where’s your ticket?” As a child, I always wanted a ticket to be punched like the other kids. Suzuki is now Wilson, he took his mother’s name after Pearl Harbor. He came with a sheet of paper, with most of the names of the families who were living in Kapoho before the eruption. An incredible man and he even wore a jacket! He told more stories of Kapoho to other people from Kapoho who were in presence.
Suzuki, a.k.a. Wilson, my sister and me.
Jimmy, in his 80′s said, “I read about Frances Kakugawa but you are still Hideko to me.” We were neighbors in Kapoho and bought adjoining lots in Pahoa after the eruption to remain neighbors. I visited him at his home.
The Kapoho Lighthouse: lava stopped a few feet around the lighthouse to keep the light burning.
His sister, Julie, in her 80′s , invited my sister, niece Tammy and me to lunch at her now Pahoa home. She took us on a tour of Kapoho where we found our old house lot. We had an old Vee apple tree in our backyard and it was still there, growing above the other trees, a welcome home sign. The area is now overgrown with coconut, ohi’a, ferns and other growth. Only the acres near the ocean are black lava.
George, in his 90′s , a former policeman came with a book in hand to be signed. I’m not sure he was the policeman in my story “The Kindergarten drop-out.”
Misae, classmate from Kapoho, attends all my book signings. Misae and I were neighbors, we played cowboys, baseball and danced Bon dances throughout our Kapoho years. When we quarreled, we still went to school together, each of us walking on opposite sides of the road.
Many of the original residents are now gone but their children or grandchildren or in-laws or relatives came along with strangers interested in a place now under lava rock. And friends from long ago years.
There are still original buildings still standing. We met the New Kapoho residing in these homes. The new Kapoho, I call them, mainland Haoles now living in Kapoho. They came to learn what the old Kapoho was like, they said, and left with book in hand with a vow to preserve the spirit and humanity that was once Kapoho.
Kapoho, under lava rock…………
The Kapoho Tree created by niece Tammy.
What a wonderful, experience. Kudos to the you Frank, your friends, relatives & the people of Kapoho.
Tony
Who would have thought that the little six year old who vowed to become a writer someday would write a book that would bring Kapoho back…the Kapoho she tried to escape from since the day she learned to read. I won’t forget the look on their faces as they stood and stared at the book cover and saw their hometown on it’s cover.
It seems, in some poetic sense, like your destiny has come full circle. Thre had to be a touch of melancholy in such a visit, but it must also have been overshadowed by the outpouring of new and former residents, old friends and neighbors.
As you know I was initially not crazy about the title, preferring another one, but its current title is indeed not only the proper, but also the best choice.
Many congratulations on a wonderfully successful trip back home!
You’re right; that cover has stopped people in their track and taken them into the shops for a copy. When I think of the silence that ruled during the encounters, I wonder if I will ever get to know the true success of the book.I’d like to believe, what they thought was a lost and forgotten place that wasn’t worth much in terms of material goods, was a place to be treasured as shown by my stories. Will see. Thank you.