Discover Nikkei

https://www.discovernikkei.org/en/interviews/clips/1597/

Grandfather's business in Hawaii while in camp

When they went to Jerome and during the time when my grandfather was sent around the US, his business was doing well and fortunately he had these two trusted lieutenants that he basically said “Okay just keep the business going, Honolulu is still ok, everything is gonna be all right.” But clearly there were people who were trying to steal the business from him. And again you always look at the downside but these two people saved his agency and protected it during the entire war and also tried to get him money because his money was in Japanese banks and it was frozen and life was tough during the war.


business economics Hawaii management United States World War II

Date: April 25, 2018

Location: California, US

Interviewer: John Esaki

Contributed by: Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum

Interviewee Bio

Robert Fujioka was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1952. He attended the University of Michigan earning a BA degree and earned an MBA from the University of Hawai'i. He has been in the banking industry since 1974 and currently serves as Vice Chair, Japanese American National Museum Board of Trustees, a Trustee of the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation, and the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation. (November 2018)

Naganuma,Kazumu
en
ja
es
pt
Naganuma,Kazumu

Parent's immigration to Peru

(b. 1942) Japanese Peruvian incarcerated in Crystal City

en
ja
es
pt
Shimo,Cedrick
en
ja
es
pt
Shimo,Cedrick

Strictly American, but sympathize with Japan

(1919-2020) Member of the 1800th Engineering Battalion. Promoted Japan-U.S. trade while working for Honda's export division.

en
ja
es
pt
Kobayashi,BJ
en
ja
es
pt
Kobayashi,BJ

Never feeling discriminated against in Hawai‘i

Hawaiian businessman, developer.

en
ja
es
pt
Janzen,Terry
en
ja
es
pt
Janzen,Terry

Father's Service in WWII

(b. 1930) Half Japanese and grew up in both Japan and the United States.

en
ja
es
pt
Janzen,Terry
en
ja
es
pt
Janzen,Terry

Moving to Upland Post-Camp

(b. 1930) Half Japanese and grew up in both Japan and the United States.

en
ja
es
pt
Amano,Miyoko
en
ja
es
pt
Amano,Miyoko

Yoshitaro Amano’s Tuna Fishing Boat (Japanese)

(b. 1929) President of Amano Museum

en
ja
es
pt
Shikota,Antonio Shinkiti
en
ja
es
pt
Shikota,Antonio Shinkiti

3.11 Earthquake stopped his business in Sendai and Fukushima (Portuguese)

(b. 1962) Japanese Brazilian owner of a Brazilian products store in Japan.

en
ja
es
pt
Oda,Harunori
en
ja
es
pt
Oda,Harunori

Gardening to nursery

(1927-2016) Shin-Issei businessman

en
ja
es
pt
Oda,Harunori
en
ja
es
pt
Oda,Harunori

Next phase

(1927-2016) Shin-Issei businessman

en
ja
es
pt
Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa
en
ja
es
pt
Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Kindergarten in Davao, Philippines

(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.

en
ja
es
pt
Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa
en
ja
es
pt
Uchimura,Sawako Ashizawa

Family was shipped back to Japan after the war

(b. 1938) Philipines-born hikiagesha who later migrated to the United States.

en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb
en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb

Living in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor

(b. 1934) Ukulele player from Hawaii

en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb
en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb

Inspired to play ukulele after hearing Eddie Kamae

(b. 1934) Ukulele player from Hawaii

en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb
en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb

Mother taught him how to play the ukulele

(b. 1934) Ukulele player from Hawaii

en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb
en
ja
es
pt
Ohta,Herb

Friend convinced him to make a record

(b. 1934) Ukulele player from Hawaii

en
ja
es
pt