Nationally acclaimed author Jon Shirota, whose book, "Lucky Come Hawaii," was the first novel by an Asian American Hawai'i author to become a bestseller, will visit in November for several public appearances sponsored by the Manoa Foundation.

Shirota's visit Nov. 5-13, will span several days of talks, a remounting of one of his plays at Kumu Kahua Theatre and other public events,
"Lucky Come Hawaii," written largely in pidgin English, is the story of a wartime Maui pig farmer who attempts to make an arranged marriage for his daughter but finds that the second generation isn't as open to such arrangements as the first. The tangle leads to all manner of difficulties for the family. It will be released in a new, revised edition in late November by Manoa: A Pacific Journal of International Writing and University of Hawai'i Press.
Among the planned events:
A talk on the Okinanawan sense of place in his writings, set for 3 p.m. Nov. 5 on the UH-Manoa campus along with several other scholars. This is free and open to the public.
Kumu Kahua's presentation of "Voices from Okinawa, which runs Nov. 5-Dec. 6. (Box office, 536-4441.)
A talk, "Akisamiyo! From a Pig Farmer to a Writer," at 5 p.m. Nov. 9 on the UH-West O'ahu campus.
Another talk, "A Conversation with Jon Shirota," 6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Kapi'olani Community College, kicking off Education Week there.
Earlier this year, Manoa Journal published "Voices From Okinawa: Featuring Three Plays by Jon Shirota.Information: http://manoaokinawaissue.wordpress.com
For more on Shirota's appearances go to http//manoajournal.hawaii.edu.