UCHINANCHU

To June Arakawa (1924-2008) whose sound advice, words of encouragement,

and indomitable spirit are reflected

in the pages of Uchinanchu.

The Center for Oral History was established in 1976 as the Ethnic

Studies Oral History Project and renamed the Center for Oral History

(COH) in 1987. A unit of the Social Science Research Institute,

College of Social Sciences, University ofHawai'i at Manoa, the COH

preserves recollections of Hawai'i's people through oral interviews

and disseminates oral history transcripts to researchers, students,

and the general community. The COH also develops articles, books,

presentations, videos, and websites; serves as a resource center for oral

history materials; and trains groups and individuals in oral history

research.

The Hawai'i United Okinawa Association was established in 1951

as the United Okinawan Association of Hawai'i and renamed the

Hawai'i United Okinawa Association (HUOA) in 1995. The forty­

eight member clubs of the HUOA are made up mostly of families

whose ancestors immigrated to Hawai'i from Okinawa. Through

its statewide and international programs and activities , the HUOA

strives to preserve, perpetuate, and promote the ethnic culture of

Okinawa. The HUOA also serves as a liaison between the prefectural

government of Okinawa and other agencies in Hawai'i.

UCHINANCHU A History of Okinawans in Hawaii

CENTER FOR ORAL HISTORY

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA

HAwAI'I UNITED OKINAWA AssociATION

Center for Oral History Social Science Research Institute College of Social Sciences University of Hawai'i at Manoa Honolulu, Hawai 'i

Copyright© 1981 by Ethnic Studies Oral History Project

Ethnic Studies Program, University of Hawai'i

First printing 1981

Second printing 1984

Third printing 2009

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Ethnic Studies Oral History Project

Uchinanchu: A History ofOkinawans in Hawaii.

LOC 81-43434

ISBN 978-0-8248-0749-8

This book has been published with a grant from the

Japan Foundation and with the assistance of the Center

for Okinawan Studies, University of Hawai'i at Manoa,

and the Center for Japanese Studies, University of

Hawai'i at Manoa.

Royalties from the sale of this book will be used ro

support further research and publication in Okinawan

studies in Hawai'i.

CHAPTER VI

ISSEI LIFE HISTORIES

Mr. & Mrs. Chokame Hokama, Lanai City, Lanai.

Seichin Nagayama (left) and Tokushin Nakamoto, both of Honolulu, Oahu.

Mr. & Mrs. Kosuke Teruya, Lanai City, Lana i.

ISSEI INTERVIEWEES

Toden Higa, Honolulu, Oahu.

Matsu Kina (formerly ofHilo, Hawaii), Honolulu, Oahu.

Shigeo Chinen (formerly of Molokai), Pearl City, Oahu.

Hashiji Kakazu,, Kona, Hawaii.

Chosoku Kochi (formerly of Maui), Honolulu, Oahu.

Choki Oshiro, Honolulu, Oahu . Tokusuke Oshiro, Hilo, Hawaii.

Baishiro Tamashiro, Kapaa, Kauai. Tsuru Yamauchi, Honolulu, Oahu.