Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
April 2025
Hawaiian Eye
Local author leads readers into island mystery
Few things are more relaxing than a good book backed by the rhythmic sounds of the ocean. Jennifer K. Morita’s debut novel “Ghosts of Waikiki” is the perfect beach read if you like cozy mysteries.
The main character is Maya Wong, a journalist who returns to her childhood home in Hawaii to ghostwrite the biography of a land developer. When he’s found dead, she gets caught up in the investigation.
Having raised my family in Honolulu, Morita’s book was a trip down memory lane. The author lives in Pocket with her family and grew up in the islands.
“It wasn’t difficult to weave bits and pieces of my childhood and favorite Hawaiian eats into the storyline,” she says.
Morita interned for local newspapers while attending UCLA. Her Asian studies degree led to writing for papers in the Central Valley and eventually the Bee. These days she works at Sacramento State.
Morita was hooked on mysteries from her first Nancy Drew book. Mystery authors such as Naomi Hirahara and Sujata Massey inspired her to write a novel about an Asian American reporter.
She finally found time during the pandemic, when plot and character outlines came together. “It seemed like a crazy thing to do,” she says. “Only my husband and kids knew I was writing. I spent several years tweaking the verbiage. The last line in the book is probably the only sentence that never changed.”
“Ghosts of Waikiki” received enthusiastic reviews from several writer associations, including Sisters in Crime, a national group. A second Maya Wong book is underway, and Morita hopes to the turn the character into a series. When not writing or traveling, she finds balance with Hot Hula and Zumba.
Find “Ghosts of Waikiki” at Amazon or independent bookstores. You can meet Morita at the Sacramento Book Festival, Saturday, May 31, at Shepard Garden & Arts Center in McKinley Park. Her website is jenniferkmorita.com.
EASTER EVENTS
Two free family events are coming up. The Garcia Bend Park Easter egg hunt is Saturday, April 5, at 10 a.m. The Easter Bunny is available for photos.
A helicopter egg drop is set for Saturday, April 12, at River’s Edge Church on Riverside Boulevard, 10 a.m. to noon. For information, contact the pastor at heather@recsac.org.
SPRING FLING
Elks Lodge will bustle Sunday, April 6, with opening day of the Greenhaven Pocket Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Celtic Charms Band and guitarist Gary Allen provide entertainment.
Alongside the market, the Spring Fling arts and crafts fair operates 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse the works of local artists after grabbing that fresh produce.
TRUCKS ’N SUCH
The popular “don’t cook tonight” food truck series starts Friday, April 18, at Garcia Bend. Enjoy fresh, tasty eats from SactoMoFo truck partners from 5–8 p.m. every third Friday through September.
YOUTH SOCCER
Registration is open for youth soccer. Register your child by Tuesday, April 8, to play in the spring session No. 2 from April 22 to May 23. For details, visit greenhavensoccer.com or contact Jason Drury at jdrury@greenhavensoccer.com.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
