Being There (Memoir of an Asian American Journalist)

In the brisk, evocative prose of a seasoned television journalist, Lori Matsukawa describes her astonishing journey from a humble childhood in Hawaii to a stellar career as one of the nation’s best local news anchors. With the sensibilities and skills she acquired from her close-knit extended family and the dynamic ethnic mix of the islands, Matsukawa was prepared for every opportunity that came her way. But she makes it clear that, for her, it was never just about a career, it was about a community. She became a voice for the Japanese Americans who suffered past injustices and a pathfinder for the aspiring Asian American journalists trying to break into the news business. Being There is a story about an American Dream that Lori Matsukawa has tried to share with everyone.

-- David Horsey, syndicated political cartoonist and two-time recipient of the Pulitzer Prize