About Me ( Oh how egotistical!)

Frances Kakugawa, internationally publisher author/poet,  currently resides in Sacramento. She was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii in Kapoho, which was demolished by lava when she was 18 years old. She has taught for many years in the Michigan and Hawaii public school systems; conducted language arts workshops for teachers in Micronesia and in Hawaii; and was a curriculum writer and lecturer for the University of Hawaii.

In 2002, she was recognized in Living Legacy: Outstanding Women of the 20th Century in Hawaii.  She also received two other award for her work with the elders in the community. More than five of her books have received best awards  in children’s books, poetry, and memoirs.  Today, she travels nationwide, giving lectures and workshops on various topics for children and adults.She also continues her poetry writing support group for caregivers.

Frances Kakugawa Interviews Frances Kakugawa

Where did you come from?

From Kapoho, Hawaii in the hands of a midwife. Kapoho, a village without electricity or water system, was later destroyed by lava. I now live in Sacramento, CA.

I wish I had said:

I was born a royal princess in the Emperor’s house.

When did you decide to become a writer?

At age six, I heard my first poem read by my first grade teacher. I made a decision then that I was going to be a writer and create the same kind of magic with words.

I wish I had said:

When I discovered Hilo Tribune Herald, Montgomery Ward and Sears catalogs meant more than toilet paper.

What made you choose teaching as a career?

I had a great crush on Mr. McKinney, our high school counselor. He told me, “I see you someday as a teacher.” I became a teacher instead of a nurse (working with handsome interns), a journalist( writing from war zones), a policeman (as in Mod Squad), and a librarian ( reading new books all day in the back room).

I wish I had said:

I had no idea being a hooker would make me more money. See page 1 in my book Teacher, You Look Like a Horse. This book has been translated into Chinese in China.

How many books have you published?

15. My 15th, titled Echoes of Kapoho  is due in November, 2019.My latest is Dangerous Woman. Poetry for the Ageless

I wish I had said:

I’ll have to get back to you after I count them on my shelf.

Where do you get such good ideas for your work?

They come to me to be written. One Wordsworth story began with my poetry and I worked a story around them. One story began with an ending so I worked backward. Another began with an image of Wordsworth in front of a bulldozer.

I wish I had said:

Hey, all you Pulitzer and Nobel Prize for Literature winners, can you come here a minute?

Where did you pick up such good writing skills?

Thanks for this question. I grew up speaking da kine Pidgin, you know.  I read, read, read and other writers became my mentor and so I wrote, wrote, wrote. I avoided writing courses in college, afraid professors would tell me, “You are not a writer and will never be one.”

I wish I had said:

I live with an excellent editor/writer.

How much time do you spend writing?

At least 2 to 3 hours a day.

I wish I had said:

Not much. I wish I could spend more time but I live near a shopping mall.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Alert, smart and alive.

I wish I had said:

In the NY Times Crossword Puzzle. And go to opening night of seeing  Wordsworth in an animated movie.

Are you famous? Any awards or special recognitions?

I wish. I was recognized in Living Legacy: Outstanding Japanese Women of the 20th Century in Hawaii and in 2004, received the Hawaii-Pacific Gerontological Society Award. Also was recognized by the Sunrise Ministry Foundation for my contributions to the community. Majority of my books have that gold award seals on the covers. My little Wordsworth character from my series of children’s book is now the Mascot fort the Alzheimer’s Assoc.

I wish I had said:

Yes, I’m so famous I travel with bodyguards.

Any message for your readers?

Thank you for checking out my website and for reading my books. Send me your questions and I will answer.

I wish I had said:

Run out and buy my books. Now!