Remembering Barbara Kawakami

As we reflect on the 125th anniversary of Okinawan immigration to Hawai‘i and the remarkable resilience of early immigrant communities, we also honor the legacy of Barbara Kawakami.

Through her lifelong work documenting the lives of picture brides — the women who journeyed across the Pacific based on little more than a photograph — Barbara preserved stories that are priceless gifts to both history and the families whose legacies she helped illuminate. Her dedication brought personal voices and lived experiences into the broader narrative of immigration, community, and cultural memory, ensuring that these remarkable women are remembered and celebrated.