Jon Hiroshi Shirota. Born and raised on Maui, Hawaii. After two years in the U.S. Army graduated from Brigham Young University, in Utah. Worked as an Internal Revenue Agent for seven years before joining the Handy Writers Colony in Southern Illinois where he finished his first novel, Lucky Come Hawaii. Jon Shirota was born on Maui, Hawaii. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he graduated from Brigham Young…
Ernie Pyle, America's greatest war correspondent, covered the battle fronts in Africa, Italy, France and Germany. Then, during his last assignment, he was killed on tiny Ie Jima off the coast of Okinawa. There have been speculations as to who shot Ernie Pyle. Grandpa Ojii-chan who was in the battle…...
Read MoreErnie Pyle, America's greatest war correspondent, covered the battle fronts in Africa, Italy, France and Germany. Then, during his last assignment, he was killed on tiny Ie Jima off the coast of Okinawa. There have been speculations as to who shot Ernie Pyle. Grandpa Ojii-chan who was in the battle of Ie Jima fighting for Japan alarmingly discovers that he could have been the one who had killed the famous non-combatant war correspondent.
A Navajo Love story by Jon Shirota
The recent cover of a Navajo girl on horseback depicts the quiet bucolic life in the reservation. It suggests loneliness and searching of adventure away from the immediate surroundings. And that's what Andrea Begayee is doing, dreaming of a better life but not…...
Read More
A Navajo Love story by Jon Shirota The recent cover of a Navajo girl on horseback depicts the quiet bucolic life in the reservation. It suggests loneliness and searching of adventure away from the immediate surroundings. And that's what Andrea Begayee is doing, dreaming of a better life but not abandoning her present life. Yes, the photo tells an intimate story. A story of riding out into the future and hoping the future will unfold limitless opportunities. A wise old Indian teacher once said, "The ladder leads to opportunities. Take it." Reading is learning. Learning is an adventure. An adventure is an invitation that opens up a door to a new horizon. Sometimes, It is a shocking revelation. This, then, is such a story. A young couple meet and they have no intention of getting to know each other. Despite their vast differences in race, religion and beliefs they are helplessly pulled together. Would they have continued their friendly relationship had they known that love does not conquer all, and that the past of one of them will eventually destroy their life? Andrea Begayee, an attractive part-Navajo girl, is about to venture out to college life. She hasn't decided what college to attend until she meets Mark Kimball, a Mormon missionary. Who convinces her to attend Brigham Young University. College life leads to romance, then marriage, despite the vehement objection of Mark's wealthy parents. Andrea is shocked that Mark is the heir to a huge estate. Even more shocking is that he had hidden his real reason to become a missionary in the Navajo reservation. Will the revelation destroy their marriage? The ending tells all!
In the opening chapter of this classic novel set in Hawai‘i, news of the attack on Pearl Harbor has just reached rural Maui. Miscommunication, confusion, and rumors of war aggravate the already tense relations among the diverse immigrant communities, Native Hawaiians, and the American military. As told through the perspective…...
Read More
In the opening chapter of this classic novel set in Hawai‘i, news of the attack on Pearl Harbor has just reached rural Maui. Miscommunication, confusion, and rumors of war aggravate the already tense relations among the diverse immigrant communities, Native Hawaiians, and the American military. As told through the perspective of a poor Okinawan family, Lucky Come Hawaii vividly captures the emotions and trauma at this momentous turning point in Island history, which will change the fate of individuals, ways of life, and the land itself forever. First published in 1965 to national acclaim but long out of print, Lucky Come Hawaii is a tale of love, intrigue, humor, and Island families torn apart and reunited by the events of December 7th. The novel also anticipates the changes overtaking Hawai‘i, from Territory to Statehood, from small towns to a militarized Pacific metropolis. Lucky Come Hawaii should be required reading for anyone who cares deeply about the untold stories of the Islands’ multi-ethnic communities and the struggle of individuals to find a place and sense of identity in their American home.
Feel free to contact me for any kind of query or if you want to work with me. I am always open for new ideas and collaborations.
Jon Hiroshi Shirota. Born and raised on Maui, Hawaii. After two years in the U.S. Army graduated from Brigham Young University, in Utah. Worked as an Internal Revenue Agent for seven years before joining the Handy Writers Colony in Southern Illinois where he finished his first novel, Lucky Come Hawaii. Jon Shirota was born on Maui, Hawaii. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he graduated from Brigham Young University and became an Internal Revenue Agent. He quit his job when he was invited to the Handy Writers Colony in Marshall, Illinois (From Here To Eternity fame) where he finished his first novel Lucky Come Hawaii. Jon is the recipient of several awards: The John F. Kennedy Center Award; The Rockefeller Center Award; The American College Theater Festival for New Plays; The Best Stage Scenes of 1992 by Smith and Kraus Books; and a grant by the Japan/USA Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts to spend six months in Okinawa doing research of its immigrants to the United States.