Frances Kakugawa, the prolific poet and author known for her literary mouse Wordsworth, concludes her brief island visit today (Feb. 1).
Kakugawa is originally from Kapoho on the Big Island, who was a long-time Honolulan while toiling for the Department Education here before retiring bin Sacramento. She will autograph her latest tome, “The Outhouse Poet,” at 2 p.m. today at Barnes & Nobles at Ala Moana Center.
“Outhouse” (Watermark Publishing) is her 19th book – but not her last, since her 20thpublication is in the works. Surely, her current volume is a keeper, with its cover shot of an outhouse, and likely the most ingenious book jacket of any season.
Those of a certain vintage, who were raised in the islands amid a rustic landscape minus running water and a flushing toilet, will remember with mixed thoughts the closet-like wooden structure commonly erected somewhere on the property of a country home. Yes, the outhouse was out there, outside of the home, perhaps with a wee window or none at all, with a key feature: a hole in the ground and likely a copy of the Sears Roebuck catalogue which served the purpose of what now would be Charmin toilet paper.
“The Outhouse Poet” has a subtitle, “Reflections of a Writer,” indicative of the think-tank moments back in the day, when Kakugawa would perhaps nurture a poem, or a thought, that would someday be fodder for a book. There are poems, her specialty, along a chapter on banned books.
Kakugawa will sign copies of her book, and perhaps reflect on Those Days in isolation. While here, she spoke at an Altheimer’s event at the Elks Club and signed copies of her book at Hilo’s Basically Books where her former first graders from Laupahoehoe School on the Big Island showed up to support their former teacher.
On Saturday (Jan.31) we met up with her at Heavenly at the Koko Marina Center, for a sumptuous breakfast, which just may wind up as a future destination for more meals and reflections together…
Santos and Kimokea at The Lounge
Jerry Santos and Kamuela Kimokea will team up for a splendid show from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Kapono’s on The Lounge at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. The first show was a quick sell-out but eats remain for the nightcap.
Reservations are $110 for two seats; VIP seats are also available.
I’ve not been in this venue since it became an active night spot. Santos teamed up with Kimokea recently for an evening at the Kahala Resort, and the show included a buffet meal but viewing accommodations were problematic. Best moment at any Santos show: “E Kuu Home O Kahaluu.” And their interplay and harmonies are first-stage.
The Plumeria Beach House is not a proper fit for live music, though it’s also a plus to sit through a Santos show anytime, even if you can’t see him. I went for the music but wound up “reviewing” the buffet — great misoyaki butterfish, too salty choi sum; wonderful salmon-poke salad, bland chicken long rice; yummy haupia dessert, and so on.
Consequently, The Lounge site — tailor-made for live acts — should be a bonanza that simply couldn’t churn up the vibes at the Kahala.
And that’s Show Biz…
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