Cementing Her Reputation

Naomi Hirahara joins an exclusive club — Vroman’s Walk of Fame.
By J.K. Yamamoto
From: Rafu Shimpo

PASADENA — The atmosphere in front of Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena last Saturday afternoon was reminiscent of a Hollywood paparazzi fest.

With dozens of well-wishers taking photos and videos, local mystery author Naomi Hirahara placed her hands in cement and signed her name to become a part of Vroman’s Walk of Fame.

Inspired by Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’s Hollywood Walk of Fame, Vroman’s Walk of Fame was established in 2014 in commemoration of the bookstore’s 120^th anniversary. Hirahara joins fellow authors Lisa See, Michael Connelly and Luis Rodriguez in being selected for this honor.

Gilbert Ybarra-Martinez, Vroman’s assistant promotional director, said of Hirahara, “She creates from the heart, and that heart is anchored in the foothills of Altadena, the streets of Pasadena and the shadow of Hiroshima. Like any great author, she bonds her own history with the life of her characters, which in turn speaks to all her readers.”

Before the ceremony, Hirahara admitted, “I’ve done so many talks over the years, talking to a hundred people, 200, 300, no problem. But somehow for this, I felt sick to my stomach…I am really emotional, I’m just so touched. Thank you so much, Vroman’s, for honoring me, and I see this not only for me, my books, but actually this whole community that’s here represented…

“That our stories are seen and read just gives me such joy, and there’s this tangible representation here on this block. This makes me so happy.”

Hirahara recently completed her seven-book Mas Arai mystery series, which began with “Summer of the Big Bachi” and ended with “Hiroshima Boy” (Prospect Park Books). She has also authored another mystery series featuring Officer Ellie Rush, an L.A. bicycle cop, as well as several books on Japanese American history, including “Life After Manzanar” and “Terminal Island: Lost Communities of Los Angeles Harbor.”

After the ceremony, Hirahara was interviewed on-stage by journalist Nancie Clare in the bookstore’s courtyard. The author was asked how she balances her fiction and non-fiction writing. Read Rest of Article Here