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https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/users/gasagasagirl/

@gasagasagirl
Nima of the month: January 2019, September 2014

Naomi Hirahara is the Edgar Award-winning author of two mystery series set in Los Angeles. Her Mas Arai series, which features a Hiroshima survivor and gardener, has been translated into Japanese, Korean and French. Her first Mas Arai novel, SUMMER OF THE BIG BACHI, is currently being developed into an independent film. A former editor of The Rafu Shimpo newspaper and curator of historical exhibitions, she has also published noir short stories, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction books, including TERMINAL ISLAND: LOST COMMUNITIES OF LOS ANGELES and two biographies for the Japanese American National Museum, including AN AMERICAN SON: THE STORY OF GEORGE ARATANI, FOUNDER OF MIKASA AND KENWOOD. Co-written with Heather Lindquist, a book on the struggles of Japanese Americans after being released from Manzanar concentration camp (LIFE AFTER MANZANAR) was published by Heyday Books in 2018. Her seventh and final Mas Arai mystery, HIROSHIMA BOY, was released the same year. Set to be released in September 2019, her new mystery, ICED IN PARADISE, will follow the adventures of Leilani Santiago, who operates her family’s shave ice business in Kaua’i. She received her bachelor’s degree in international relations from Stanford University.


Nikkei Interests

communities families festivals food Japantowns languages



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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Twelve—The Reveal
I was familiar with the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. It was where my ex, Stewart, taught some a…

Nov. 4, 2021


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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Eleven—Sparkling Sea
I stood in front of the open storage unit, my hands on my hips. I felt like I was an Olympic athlet…

Oct. 4, 2021



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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Nine—Hurricane Popcorn Days
“Mom, we need to make some hurricane popcorn.”  My daughter Sycamore and I had designated Thursday…

Aug. 4, 2021


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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Eight—Zip A Dee Doo Dah
I couldn’t believe it, but we could now see the back of the storage unit. Well, at least one corner…

July 4, 2021


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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Seven—No-knead Bread
“Do you think this Ryan Stone is a real person?” my daughter Sycamore asked me as we took a break f…

June 4, 2021


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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Six—Mikasa Man
My ten-year-old daughter, Sycamore, had officially become my wing woman. Or should I say wing girl.…

May 4, 2021


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Ten Days of Cleanup
Chapter Five—Smell of Water
I only had seven days to get rid of everything in my client’s storage locker. So far, I had dispose…

April 4, 2021

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