Frances Kakugawa, keynote speaker for ASEB’s 25th Anniversary “The Magic of ASEB” fundraising gala, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. She taught for many years in the Michigan and Hawaii public school systems, conducted language arts workshops for teachers in Micronesia and in Hawaii, and was a curriculum writer and lecturer for the University of Hawaii. In 2002, she was recognized in the book Living Legacy: Outstanding Women of the 20th Century in Hawaii. She continues to write, conduct writing support groups for caregivers, give writing workshops for adults and children, and lecture on caregiving and writing throughout the U.S.
Frances’ book Mosaic Moon: Caregiving Through Poetry is a unique resource for anyone with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other long-term illness. Created from poetry workshops conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association Aloha Chapter, this writing tool for non-writers is brimming with ideas and techniques for finding solace in journaling and poetry. Designed for both individual caregivers and for support groups organizing workshops, Mosaic Moon offers hope, humor and a powerful antidote to the heavy burden of caregiving.
Breaking the Silence: A Caregiver’s Voice is an essential book for Alzheimer’s caregivers. It’s a thoughtful and honest look into what caregivers face each day, coping with incredible pressure, anxiety, and difficult decisions. Frances weaves her poetry and that of six other caregivers together, along with journal entries and advice for the novice poet.
The recipient of the 2004 Ka Palapala Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Books from the Hawaii Book Publishers’ Association, Wordsworth the Poet is the story of a Hawaiian mouse who teaches young readers the value of self-expression and how to write their own poems about the world around them.
Wordsworth Dances the Waltz is dedicated to author Frances Kakugawa’s late mother, Matsue, who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. In this book, children are introduced to the concept that as grandparents age, they may become different, and even forget important things. Wordsworth finds comfort in writing poems that express his confusion over the changes in his beloved grandparent and the fond memories he has of her more vibrant days. His poems help his family understand that Grandma would still like to do things she always loved — spending time with the family, laughing and dancing. Wordsworth Dances the Waltz received the Bronze Award in the Best Book Overall category, as well as the award for Best Illustrated Children’s Book from the Northern California Publishers & Authors group.