Who You? Hawaii Issei

“Who You?” For Japanese Americans of Hawaii, it is all about the Issei. On the journey to find identity they do not walk alone. The Issei walk with them. They will not lose their way. These stories that honor the Issei are shared by George R. Ariyoshi, former Governor of Hawaii; Fujio Matsuda, former President, University of Hawaii; Sparky Matsunaga, late Senator of Hawaii; Masaji Marumoto, late Justice, Supreme Court of Hawaii; Fumiko Kaya, late founder, Goto of Hiroshima Foundation; and Patsy Sumie Saiki, late author and educator.

• Dennis M. Ogawa, Author

  Dennis M. Ogawa received his PhD from UCLA in 1969 where he was honored as one of the founders of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. He is professor and former Chair at the Department of American Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Dr. Ogawa’s books (a number of which are best sellers for University of Hawai‘i Press) include Jan Ken Po: The World of Hawaii’s Japanese Americans, Kodomo No Tame Ni: For the Sake of the Children, and The First Nisei. Among his honors are the Imperial Decoration Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s Living Treasure of Hawaii Award, the Consulate General of Japan Commendation Award, the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s Achievement in Leadership and Education CLAD Award, and Hawaiian Historical Society’s title of distinguished historian. In recognition of Professor Ogawa’s excellence in research, he has been invited as a Senior Fellow for both the East-West Center and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

• Christine Kitano, Author

  Christine Kitano is the author of two collections of poetry, Sky Country (BOA Editions, 2017), and Birds of Paradise (Lynx House, 2011). She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing from Texas Tech University. She is an assistant professor at Ithaca College where she teaches classes in creative writing, poetry, and Asian American literature.