The "Strangers From a Different Shore" are a Little Close to Home

In Takaki's book, on page 21, he talks about the early sugar plantation of the island of Kauai. Later, it turns out this plantation was in the town of Koloa. I guess this novel really hit home for me, because I'm from the island of Kauai and my hometown is Koloa. I've toured the old Grove Farm and grew up seeing the run-down sugar plantations while driving to the beach. Of course, being a youngster, I never thought these places had any particular significance. However, Takaki's book has made me realize the extent of their cultural importance in the community. Due to the sugar industry, Hawaii has become a huge melting-pot of different cultures and races. Growing in such a diverse community has shaped me as a person, making Whitworth somewhat of a culture shock with a high percent of its students from caucasian decent. 

Another fact about me is that I am a third-generation Filipino. My grandfather came to Kauai in the early 1930s  from the Philippines for the promise of a better life. He worked as a mechanic for the sugar plantation in Koloa where he provided for a family of six children, one of them being my mother. Overall, I just found it really interesting that I am a direct result of all the Asian immigration that Takaki talks about through out his book and that the "strangers from a different shore" are of my heritage.