Wendy Noritake is an underwater photographer, freediver and writer
I began writing about the sea around the same time I started taking underwater photos as a freediver. Both occurred after I retired, so I had no ambition of pursuing or even succeeding in these areas. I always loved being in the ocean and began scuba diving in 1997 in the frigid waters of Puget Sound, taking groups of diver friends all over the world for these adventures. Being close to and witnessing the most incredible fish and marine mammals has been the highlight of my life. They all seem to have personalities and purpose.
Wendy is the author of the book, Finding Uncle Yosh
Wendy Noritake’s spiritual journey to find an uncle she never met led her to places she never intended to go. WWII, the internment of the Japanese-Americans, her family behind barbed wire and guard towers – all of this was the beginning of the quest. Her uncle volunteered to enlist in the Army, as did thousands of Nisei men (second generation), to prove their loyalty. The 442 nd Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated group in US military history. And at such a cost. He was only 23 years old.
Wendy first began the story of her Uncle Yosh in 2007 in Seattle, Washington where she was born. An essay version of the story appeared in an anthology called Secret Histories: Stories of Courage, Risk, and Revelation in 2013.
Since then, she has published numerous non-fiction stories about her scuba diving adventures, freediving encounters, and spiritual occurrences in publications such as: Lost Magazine, Black Earth Journal, Ke Ola Magazine, Hawaii Writers Guild’s Literary Journal, and the Kohala Mountain News.
-
"Wendy’s inspired journey to find her uncle personalizes a life of a nearly forgotten serviceman & his family. Bringing reality to the life & losses of Japanese Americans during WWII. It’s important we know these real lives, beyond the statistics."
- Michael
-
"I read this book cover to cover and left me with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes! Educational for EVERYONE!! Wendy really did her research and homework thoroughly! Her third sense is so amazing that led her to write this!"
- Jen
