Cryin’ Shame, Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of Lyle Lovett.
I have a story, “South Texas Girl” in this anthology edited by Josh Pachter and published by Down and Out Books. No publication date, yet. I will let you know when the pub date is announced. These are thirteen crime stories by some really great authors and I am proud and humble to be among them. Watch this site for updates.
For me, Trump’s embrace of authoritarianism is frightening. The world has seen this evil before. This is not a matter of competing political philosophies. We are not being presented with a choice between two visions of what is good for America. This is a battle between good and evil. Trump offers no solutions to the immigration crisis. Rather, his only action so far has been to obstruct any and all solutions. His obstructionism alone is reason enough to keep him from the Presidency. It is his demonization and dehumanizing of immigrants with lies and hatred that should cause fear in all of us. This is what dictators do. They govern by fear of the other. Trump is trying to unite us, not in our democratic ideals, but by manufacturing a common, fictitious enemy so as to bind us in hatred. We should not stand for it.
I am not a religious person, but I know and admire many religious people and many religious leaders. Their silence disappoints me. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Why aren’t people who profess to believe in God, who take pride in receiving God’s word, not standing up against evil? I know that immigrants represent an unknown quantity to some people, and fear of the unknown can be hard to overcome. If immigrants have no place in your life, it can be easy to dismiss immigrants as not your problem. It might even be possible to say you don’t hate immigrants, you just wish they weren’t here.
Tyrants, however, don’t stop after one bite. Once they have demonized one group of people, they will turn against others. Trump did that this weekend. He took the step to total anti-democratic, authoritarianism. He found a group that is worse than immigrants in his fevered mind: “. . . the enemy from within…we have some very bad people, we have some sick people, radical left lunatics…. And it should be easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military.” —Donald Trump, October 13, 2024, to Maria Bartiromo, Fox News Anchor.
We know who he means by “radical left lunatics.” They are the people who pose the greatest threat to an authoritarian—the educators, the artists, the unionists, the Democrats, anyone who is not a MAGAist. We should not take the threat to use the Army against Americans as an idle one. It is a clear attempt to silence people who would stand up to evil. As we have seen happen throughout history and in other countries, Not even God will help those who keep silent. I am proud to state that I am one of the enemy from within.
Splintered Loyalty has been named a top pick for the Silver Falchion Award in the Investigator category. The award will be presented at Killer Nashville in August. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rxwuxwbuhdqt3e9ev3fu9/KNSF-Top-Picks.png?rlkey=r60ec217qrrrs96angl9gi6os&dl=0
The wildfire on Maui was devastating for our friends there, for the state, it’s culture and history. Lahaina, originally a small fishing village, holds significance to Hawaii, as it was chosen by King Kamehameha II to be the revered royal capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1820-45. Today, the Lahaina wildfire is now the deadliest in U.S. history in more than a century. We are learning more and more each day about the devastation there. What is clear is that the people of Maui need help from all of us. Here are ways you can help.
There are multiple Go Fund Me campaigns.
I encourage you to donate to our friends in the Slack Key Ohana: https://gofund.me/2f590504
There are a lot of music and food fundraisers this weekend and throughout the weeks ahead. Here are some ways you can help and enjoy great music and food at the same time.
Kōkua Maui Festival
Friday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m. – Saturday, Aug. 19, 1 a.m.
Hosted by Hawai‘i’s Finest, the Kōkua Maui Festival will feature David Grace, B.E.T., High Watah and Chardonnay. 100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to Maui ‘ohana, and BAMP will donate $1 per drink sold. Doors open at 8 p.m., and music starts at 9 p.m.
18+, $30 pre-sale online, $40 at the door, The Republik, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., hifinest.com, @hawaiisfinestclothing
Wiwo‘ole Maui Benefit Concert
Saturday, Aug. 19, 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Local musicians and hālau are uniting to help raise disaster relief funds and spread the healing power of mele. Participating artists include Amy Hānaiali‘i, Kalani Pe‘a, Kanekoa, Kimié Miner and Raiatea Helm. The concert will be livestreamed from the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, on the ‘Āina Momona website and participating artists’ social media. Proceeds will benefit ‘Āina Momona and the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
Livestreaming, kaainamomona.org, @ainamomona
Wiwoʻole #MauiStrong is dedicated to raising essential disaster relief funds urgently needed to support and sustain the victims of the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires that affected communities across the island and devastated the historic town of Lahaina.
Dozens of Austin restaurants participating in Saturday, August 19, fundraiser for Maui fire relief
Austin food blogger Amanda Wong, who operates the website austinfoodadventures.com and the very popular Instagram account of the same name, had intended to visit Maui for the first time in September.
When the historic wildfires devastated the island and lead to the highest death toll of any U.S. wildfires in more than 100 years, Wong felt helpless as she watched the news and YouTube videos of what the fire had wrought. And then inspiration struck.
After canceling her trip, she started reaching out to the local restaurants she documents and celebrates on her sites, and rallied them to create Dine with Maui. The group of more than three dozen restaurants, serving everything from Hawaiian food to burgers, will donate from 5% to 10% of their proceeds on Saturday to the Maui Food Bank. The event follows the model Wong created with Dine with Ukraine in 2022, which raised $50,000 for war relief efforts.
Maui Ola: A Benefit Concert for Maui
Sunday, Aug. 20, 5–9 p.m.
Show aloha for Maui during this fundraising concert that will feature Hawaiian Style Band, Pure Heart, Jerry Santos, Raiatea Helm, Paula Fuga, Kimié Miner, Anuhea, Del Beazley, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and more musicians and cultural practitioners with meaningful ties to Maui. 100% of proceeds will benefit Maui through donation portals, including Maui United Way, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, Hawai‘i People’s Fund and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. You can watch the livestream on the HONOLULU Magazine website.
$20, Bishop Museum Great Lawn, 1525 Bernice St., mauiola.org
John Cruz and Johnny Helm Fundraiser Concert for Maui
Monday, Aug. 21, 6 p.m.
Gather with the community at Talk Kaimukī for a glass of wine and comforting music by John Cruz and Johnny Helm. Wine service by Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants is included with a minimum $40 donation at the door. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Maui relief funds.
$40 minimum donation, Talk Kaimukī, 3601 Waialae Ave., talkkaimuki.com, @talkkaimuki
Music for Maui
Tuesday, Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m.
This three-course dinner and concert event hosted by the Hawai‘i Chamber Music Festival, Stage Restaurant & Amuse Wine Bar and The Wish Makers of Hawai‘i will benefit the the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. The concert will start during the dessert course.
$350 for dinner for two, Stage Restaurant & Amuse Wine Bar, 1250 Kapiolani Blvd., stagerestauranthawaii.com, @stagerestaurant, @hawaiicmf
Henry Kapono is celebrating 50 years of C&K or Cecilio and Kapono, the iconic island rock duo. That’s not all! This year, it’s the 30th anniversary for Duke’s on Sunday, Hawaiߵi’s longest-running and beloved live music event in one location. Kapono also continues to share his music and support Hawaii’s music community through the Henry Kapono Foundation, which reached its 5th year on the date. The foundation’s mission is to “Support the music and arts community by giving with Aloha.” These three major milestones is built with continuous leadership, and community support. The concert will be happening at the Waikiki Shell on August 26, 2023.
Henry Kapono Ka‘aihue is supporting Maui’s professional musicians directly through the Henry Kapono Foundation. The foundation’s We Are Friends Maui Emergency Relief Initiative will provide $500 Foodland gift cards to music industrial professionals who have been directly impacted by the Maui wildfires.
The legendary Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson join with Tom Thomas Vendetti for a benefit for Lahaina August 27 at 3p at the McCoy theater at the MACC on Maui
Hana Hou Festival
Friday, Sept. 8, and Saturday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Heal through music at the inaugural Hana Hou Festival helmed by Jake Shimabukuro. Featured musicians include Mick Fleetwood, The Jets, Girl Named Tom, Keiko Matsui, Pure Heart, Raiatea Helm, Kimié Miner and Brother Noland. Profits from the two-day event and all donations will be given to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
$65–$150, $50 livestream, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hanahoufest.com, @hawaiitheatre
In early September, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will donate the profits from his two-night Hana Hou Music Festival at Hawaii Theatre to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund. Joining Shimabukuro and his band on Sept. 8 are Mick Fleetwood, The Jets, Pure Heart, Raiatea Helm, Kawika Kahiapo and Jeff Peterson.
On Sept. 9, the roster changes: Shimabukuro, Fleetwood, Keiko Matsui, Girl Named Tom, Connor Johnson, Kimie Miner, Brother Noland and Mark Yamanaka are slated to perform.
Showtimes for both nights are 7:30 p.m. Hawaii time; both shows will be livestreamed worldwide.
Additional donations received during the festival will also be forwarded to the Maui Strong Fund.
Visit hanahoufest.com or hawaiitheatre.com.
Hale ‘Aina Celebration: Whimsical Wonderland
Saturday, Sep. 9, 6–9 p.m.
Step into a Whimsical Wonderland at the 40th anniversary Hale ‘Aina Celebration presented by First Hawaiian Bank Priority Destinations World Elite MasterCard. This event unites our restaurant winners, including 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar, Arancino at the Kāhala, Kapa Hale, Miro Kaimukī, MW Restaurant, Tim Ho Wan and The Seaside. VIPs can enter early at 5 p.m. 10% of ticket sales will go to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund.
$150–$225, Hawai‘i State Art Museum, 250 South Hotel St., honolulumagazine.com, @honolulumag
If you are in College Station or Bryan, Texas, stop by the Arts Council on August 11 for the launch and signing of Splintered Loyalty.
Last night, I was privileged to attend a high school graduation—my first since my granddaughter’s graduation three years ago. Graduation ceremonies, with their age-old rituals, give us an opportunity to reflect on what we hold dear. They are a celebration of young people and their accomplishments as they start on their journey into the future. Four hundred thirty-three young men and women put on their regalia and walked the stage in front of cheering friends and family,
Lat night’s valedictorian was a young man of impressive credentials. He graduated summa cum laude, meaning his grade point average was higher than 4.0. He wore the gold stole signifying his status, along with some extra cords indicating his leadership in several school organizations. He is heading to college on an academic scholarship. The young man clearly deserved all of the plaudits lavished on him. It was clear, also, that his family, which has supported him throughout his life, deserved some of the credit for his achievements. That is not to take anything away from the young man. It is how things should be.
I’ve heard other valedictorian addresses. This young man’s address hit all the right notes and the usual themes, but it was not a remarkable speech. I don’t think much of it will be remembered. He began by talking about his first day of high school four years ago, in August 2019, as the starting point of the four year journey taken by him and his classmates. What he missed was that all of his classmates didn’t take the same journey.
I was there at the invitation of a young woman who was graduating that night, who was sitting with the rest of her classmates, wearing her cap and gown, but with none of the stoles or cords to show her achievements. The speaker talked about the confusion of that first day of high school—finding their lockers, figuring out their schedules, meeting teachers and classmates. It was not something the young woman could relate to. On, or about, that day, this young woman found herself abandoned on a ranch in a foreign country, where she knew no one, did not speak the language, and did not understand the culture. She had arrived there after fleeing violence and unrest in her native country, after an arduous trek through three nations, and after spending time in ICE detention on the Texas border. The adult who had accompanied her, left no provisions for her welfare. While the other kids who would later be her classmates worried about finding lockers, she worried about surviving.
Fortunately for her, she came to the attention of Child Protective Services who placed her with a family of her own nationality. The next year she entered high school as a freshman, still not speaking English. She took a demanding load of courses which were taught in a foreign language. She worked hard, mastered the content of the courses and the language in which they were presented, and graduated in three years instead of the usual four, She earned a high grade point average that was just shy of the number that would allow her to wear a stole. The rigors or studying and the demands of a job she held in her senior year left no time for school organizations. She will be taking college courses in the summer in order to get a head start on her post-secondary plans. While other graduates are wearing their accomplishments around their necks, she wears hers inside.
This morning I learned a new word that was bestowed upon this graduate by her foster family. Tayacan. It is a Nicaraguan idiom meaning brave, daring, hard-working, and vivacious. Bravo Tayacan girl. I’m proud of you.
Splintered Loyalty is the new Ava Rome mystery from Down and Out Books. It was published May 8, 2023. You can order it directly from the publisher or from Amazon. It is available in trade paperback or in several ebook formats. Here’s the cool thing. If you order the paperback from the publisher, you will get the ebooks with it.
When I arrived at the University of Hawai‘i in 1977, one of the first people I met was a fellow graduate student named Rosie Tatsuguchi. We had the same advisor, shared an office for a short time, and worked on several projects together. We became good friends. Rosie was about 10 or 12 years older than me. Her family were Buddhist missionaries. Her father and mother had immigrated to Hawai‘i to establish a Jodo Shinshu mission temple. Rosie’s older brother had taken it over at the time I met her. The temple, the Shinshu Kyokai Mission of Hawai‘i is located on Beretania Street in Honolulu. Mary Fran and I, and friends from graduate school, would take part in Bon Dances there during July at Rosie’s invitation. The temple still stands and, when I went by it in 2021, Roland Tatsuguchi, Rosie’s brother, was still listed on the door as the minister.
One day Rosie told me this story.
Her father came home from the temple every evening at the same time. He expected, on his arrival, to see the food on the table and the family—Rosie, her mother, her older brothers, and her sister—in their places at the table. One day the expected time came and went and the reverend didn’t show. Everybody waited in their place. Nobody touched the food because, as head of the household, father got the first rice. The date was December 7, 1941. Rosie was five or six at the time. The family remained at the table through the night, not touching the food even though they were hungry. They slept in their places at the table. In the morning, they learned that the reverend had been arrested while helping clear rubble from a building that had been bombed. He was one of many Japanese community leaders who were rounded up and incarcerated that day. He was later sent to one of the War Relocation camps and the family did not see him again until after the war.
That image of the family dutifully waiting for their father stayed with me and it became the inspiration for Splintered Loyalty. In the prologue, we meet a young Japanese woman, Akiko, waiting for her husband, the Reverend Harry Miyazaki, to come home from the temple. Like Rosie’s family, she waits through the night. There are some differences between Akiko’s story and Rosie’s story. In the first place, there are no children in Akiko’s story. She and Harry are newly married and Akiko has been in the country for only a few months. Another difference is the date. Akiko’s story opens on February 20, 1942, the day after FDR signed Executive Order 9066 which called for the removal of all people of Japanese ancestry from the western United States and confinement in concentration camps in violation of their civil rights.
Rosie’s statement that, “As head of the household, father got the first rice,” conveys so much meaning about the family, the culture, and the era, that I remember it after all these years. In Akiko’s story, that sentence became, “As husband, Harry got the first rice.” Splintered Loyalty went through 18 drafts before publication. I think that sentence is probably the only sentence remaining intact from the first draft.
Pearl Harbor is a popular attraction for visitors to Honolulu, and rightly so, because the lives that were lost and others that were disrupted need to be remembered and honored. But there are other places in Honolulu that I call the hidden history of the attack. Such places as the Shinshu Kyokai mission which has a very poignant story behind it. If you visit Honolulu, by all means visit Pearl Harbor, but immerse yourself in the history and keep alert for other locations that carry other memories of that time.
Publication date is just around the corner. The book is available for pre-order now from Down and Out Books.
I’m excited to tell you that Splintered Loyalty is featured in the May issue of The Big Thrill, the magazine of The International Thriller Writers. You can read the interview here.
You can read the full issue of The Big Thrill here.
Aloha! It’s another ‘Ukulele Wednesday. Here is “Octopus’s Garden’ from The Beatles’ Abbey Road album. I recorded this last week, but didn’t get around to posting. So here it is now.
Hawaiian Noir 