Editor’s note: We continue Michael G. Malaghan’s serialized historical novel, “Picture Bride — A Family Saga,” based on the Japanese immigrant experience. Malaghan’s trilogy takes readers from turn-of-the-20th-century-Japan to Hawai‘i in the picture bride era; the Islands during World War II, highlighted by the exploits of the Nisei soldiers; and beyond.
The novel begins with 12-year-old Haru-chan, fleeing her home in Amakusa, Kyüshü, for Hiroshima, where she becomes the picture bride of a Buddhist priest in Hawai‘i.
Author Michael Malaghan is a retired businessman who divides his time between Hawai‘i, Florida and Japan.
Part V: Sugar
70.
Waimea, Hawai‘i – Jan. 6, 1920
Under the tropical midmorning sun, Kenji, regretting that he hadn’t raised the canvas convertible top, slowed as he came up the dusty road approaching the Bilkerton plantation cottages. Sullen wildcat strikers milled about in small groups, refusing eye contact with him. Kenji spotted Tamatsuke standing in front of his white pinewood home and stopped beside him.
“It’s the big-stomached overseer,” said Tamatsuke. “He docked a day’s pay from an almost-due pregnant woman he found resting.”
“Tamatsuke, a work stoppage makes it harder for me to straighten this out.”
To read the rest of this article, please subscribe to The Herald!