As I mentioned before, I took a two week trip to Hawaii to do events to promote my books, especially my newest one, Kapoho. I was invited to go to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and read from Kapoho at the Kilauea Volcano Center. Can you imagine? Reading about my hometown being covered by lava while sitting on a volcano?!
I expected only a handful of people because of the rain and cold so I was pleasantly surprised to see the auditorium pretty much filled. And what a friendly and appreciative group of people. I received many positive feedback comments. Many said they expected a slide show so they were happy it was a book reading instead. I got a lot of laughs during my reading.
After the reading, people were lined up for autographs. People were there from Hilo and other parts of the island, in addition to the Volcano residents and tourists. It was very sweet that many asked that I sign it “Hideko” and even “Eh, You Tink You Haole?” One man bought 4 copies for Christmas gifts for people in Iowa and other mainland states.
Later, I got this email message from someone who was at the presentation:
Your presentation was such an interesting and personal history. I am currently reading your book; the Kapoho area is of interest to us. We have rented a house in the area four different times and have used this as an opportunity to explore the area. We swam in the Wai Opae Shrimp ponds and felt we almost had them to ourselves until the Bluebook was published.
Park Rangers Dean Gallagher and Jessica Ferracane were wonderful and treated me so nicely. Jessica is even an author too! She wrote 50 Thrifty Big Island Restaurants several years ago, and we have the same publisher, Watermark Publishing. Jessica was one of the ones who asked me to sign her book “Eh, You Tink You Haole?” because she is! They will be posting a video of my reading on the Park website later. Check here to listen when they get it posted.
My niece took some photos at the event for me to share with you:
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- Me, with Ranger Dean Gallagher
It won’t be long until your escalator fantasy will come true! How exciting all of this must be. We miss you and I still want you to send me the chopstick love story to post on my blog.
No video yet :^( This is one disappointed haole. But I am ever so glad you were so warmly received (no pun intended).
I make it a point to not embarrass myself by hearing myself on radio, seeing myself on TV or video and I wish you’d do the same. Actually, I was hotly received because the eruption was still on.