Licensing

Masaji Kobayashi

"I met Mr. Kobayashi just by chance. While slowly driving through the unpaved roads next to the Waialua Sugar Mill, I noticed him sitting shirt-less on the front porch of his tiny plantation home. We talked story for a while, and when I asked him if I could photograph him he said it was ok. Just like that. No fuss, no questions. Wow, I thought, this guy must have confidence in his looks! The image I did that day right at the railing of his front porch turned out to be the most iconic of any I had made of the Nisei. Masaji was right, he looks good."