A Talk by Novelist, Playwright Jon Shirota

Novelist, playwright and local son, Jon Shirota, whose latest play, “Voices from Okinawa,” begins its Hawai‘i run at the Kumu Kahua Theater, will lead off UH West O‘ahu’s Chancellor’s Lecture Series on Mon., Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Kuhialoko Lanai (E-Building).

Shirota’s discussion is titled “Akisamiyo! From a Pig Farmer to a Writer.” The lecture is open to the public and is co-sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i Center for Okinawan Studies.

Shirota, was born and raised on Maui, and describes himself as a failure in high school who could not be admitted to the University of Hawai‘i decades ago, but always entertained himself by believing that someday he would write a novel and let the world know of his existence.

Many years later, fate, luck, or daring, made that dream a reality. The barefoot boy from Maui finally learned to write a decent sentence, and then a reasonable paragraph, and at last a novel, Lucky Come Hawai‘i, which is being released in its 4th edition in November by the University of Hawai‘i Press.

Shirota is tickled at the pleasant irony of now being a highly sought speaker at the University of Hawai‘i.

Earlier this year, three of his plays and his essay, “The Dawning of an Okinawan” were published in the Univerisity of Hawai‘i at Manoa collection, “Voices from Okinawa,” edited by Dr. Katsunori Yamazato, professor of American Literature and director of the International Institute for Okinawan Studies at the University of the Ryūkyūs in Okinawa.

In 2005, Shirota was invited to spend a term as Scholar-in-Residence at the University of the Ryūkyūs. While there, he observed that the young people of Okinawa today, while still loyal to their nation of Japan, were becoming more westernized and interested in global events. With a large American armed forces presence on the island, young Okinawans are immersed in various elements of American culture.

The play, “Voices from Okinawa,” takes place predominantly in a classroom and reflects the diverse attitudes of young Okinawans who are driven to read, write and speak English. Their various voices speak for their generation. The class is led by an Okinawan-American teacher who ultimately discovers that it is he who is the student. His ninety-six year old Obaa-chan (grandmother) shares her wisdom with the students and her grandson in a sage, ancient, and at times satirical manner.

“Voices from Okinawa,” is novelist, playwright Jon Shirota’s latest work, and follows “Leilani’s Hibiscus,” and “Lucky Come Hawai‘i” both of which were performed locally by the Kumu Kahua Theater. “Lucky Come Hawai‘i” was also performed and recognized by the John F. Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays in 1990. In 2001, “Leilani’s Hibiscus,” was translated into Japanese by Professor Yamazato, and performed in Okinawa to critical acclaim.

A short reception will precede the talk. The UHWO Sociology Club and Anthropology Club will host the event.

Event Sponsor
UH West O'ahu Chancellor's Office, West O'ahu Campus

More Information
Dr. Joyce Chinen, 454-4720, chinen@hawaii.edu

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