Written by Dennis M. Ogawa, Ph.D., assisted by Claire Marumoto and published by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, the book tells Marumoto's life story, which encompassed many key events of 20th century Hawai'i history, ranging from the Massie case (for which he assisted the local attorney on Clarence Darrow's defense team) to the Nisei soldiers' story during World War II and the breaking down of discriminatory barriers for non-Caucasians after the war.

"First Among Nisei: The Life and Writings of Masaji Marumoto" is part of a series edited by Ogawa through the University of Hawai'i Press series, titled "Extraordinary Lives: The Experience of Hawai'i Nisei." Another JCCH project, a translation of World War II internee Yasutaro Soga's wartime memoirs titled "Life behind Barbed Wire," is also a part of this series. It is scheduled for publication by the University of Hawai'i Press at the end of this year.

Admission is free. Cost of the book is $20 for JCCH members; $25 for non-members (tax included).