Michael G. Malaghan
Special to The Hawai‘i Herald
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.
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Soaking in the ofuro weeks later, Haru massaged her abdomen as she felt the soft kicks of her unborn baby, reminding her how fortunate she had been during the Spanish flu threat. The outbreak of the flu had been relatively mild in Waimea. It had claimed six people — Ualani, two townspeople and three Filipino plantation workers. While a new, more virulent strain was moving across America, Haru’s entire family was now immune.
Buddha had rewarded her forgiveness. Ko had been nurse, cook and housecleaner during the two weeks of recovery. She now thought of Ko as her sister. Haru felt another kick. Although the doctor estimated she was in her seventh month, the frequent kicking and size of her belly told her she was closer to eight months.
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