Heart of Fire: A Daughter of Immigrants Shares Her Story

graphicgma: Born and raised in Hawaii, I know who Mazie Hirono is but wasn't aware of the challenges she and her family faced and eventually overcame through hard work, discipline and education. It is a book you start and find hard to put down. She shares the hurtful behavior that ignorance and fear can ignite. But also the kindness that opened doors for her and her family. And her mother's spirit and example is ever present. May we never shut our doors to those who are desperate to improve their lives.

United States on Feb 06, 2022

betty: This was a well written, interesting book. The first part of the book traces Hirono's parents' and grandparents' struggles in Hawaii and Japan. The rest was about her interest and rise in political circles that lead to the Senate. I greatly admire her, but I found the historical section more interesting than her later personal and political memories.

United States on Aug 28, 2021

CCSF prof: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I have supported Mazie since her first run for the Senate, and love hearing her comments on MSNBC, but did not previously know her earlier experiences in politics and life in general.
So happy she wrote this book. I found the immigrant experience most interesting, especially how they lived on the flower farm and worked unpaid in return for a shack. Hmm. Also how her mom later worked two jobs to support the family - strong woman and smart too - learned to be an editor/proofreader when English was not her first language.
One story I found enlightening was how she lost her Governor race to Linda Lingle, perhaps due to Lingle's slick team, compared to Mazie's bunch of friends and volunteers. So second time around, she got a slick team and was criticized all around for hiring a haole and a bunch of people from the mainland. Well, she won, and I'm glad of it. Sorry we can't always be politically correct. Nice to learn there are two sides to the story.

United States on Jun 22, 2021

Jadine Nielsen: Mazie does a deep dive into her life and shares honest, heartfelt and sometimes painful stories about her mother's Heart of Fire -- and her own experiences in becoming the remarkable woman and admired U.S. Senator she is today. There were times when I related to the challenges she encountered and marveled at how she faced and overcame them. There were times when I had to pause because there were tears in my eyes. There were times when I yelled out loud "What were you thinking, Mazie?! Get rid of him!" Finally, there were many times when I thought "Boy, is she lucky to have Leighton in her life. Can we clone him?" Mazie's beautifully written memoir is a must read.

United States on May 05, 2021

K. Johnson: I'm a Hawaii resident and followed Maizie's political career. Been somewhat aware of the good-old-boy challenges in Hawaii politics and her path to the Senate. But had no clue about what she faced and overcame since small-kid times. She guarded her privacy and opinions but in the last 5 years she "found her voice" which is even more so in this revealingly honest very personal memoir. Even those who believe they know her best will be surprised at what they will learn. This is a page turner and you do not have to be a Hawaii resident to appreciate her story, her fortitude, her honesty. I consider this a must read for fans of political, cultural, and women's studies. You will not be disappointed. Aloha!

United States on May 02, 2021