Ishmael Chambers is a fictional character from the novel "Snow Falling on Cedars" by David Guterson. He is a local newspaper reporter in the Pacific Northwest, specifically on the fictional island of San Piedro. The story is set in the 1950s and revolves around a murder trial that brings to light issues of racism and prejudice, particularly against the Japanese-American community. Chambers is also a World War II veteran, which influences his perspective on the events unfolding in the novel. His character grapples with personal loss and the complexities of love, particularly in relation to Hatsue Imada, a Japanese-American woman he once loved.