Hawaii’s first Nisei in Congress, and the reaction at home and in Asia

Vol. 49, No. 10, September 4, 1959. 8 pages. View this issue

The election of Senator Hiram Fong and Representative Daniel Inouye from Hawaii ran through this eight-page issue. An editorial rebutted a Kyodo dispatch that called Inouye’s win unbelievable, arguing that Hawaii had long elected Nisei and that ability, not ancestry, decided the result. Mike Masaoka described watching the swearing-in of the new delegation, the JACL nominated Inouye for a national young men’s award, and mainland editorials praised the vote. On the front page, the American Legion’s convention rejected a move to end the 40 and 8’s white-only membership clause.

Elsewhere, Dr. Roy Nishikawa listed ten problems for JACL’s future, while Kango Kunitsugu asked whether the organization was still needed. Harry S. Tojo reported on Nisei in Broadway shows, and Henry Mori reviewed a Las Vegas revue. Sports pages covered Little League, Babe Ruth and weightlifting results. Page 8 reported the death of Dr. Miles E. Cary, a wartime sponsor of the JACL.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

  • An Oriental Slant of Hawaii’s Election, by H.H., page 1. The editorial rebuts a Kyodo dispatch calling the election of Daniel Inouye unbelievable given American prejudice against Japanese. It argues Hawaii has long elected Nisei and that the last election showed ability, not ancestry, decides outcomes.
  • Ye Editor’s Desk: Art of Criticism, by E. Sumida, page 2. The essay argues that effective criticism should be constructive, subtle, and objective rather than an outlet for anger or ego. It uses examples from Hitler’s propaganda and shifting East-West ideas to show that facts and labels must be applied with care.
  • Vagaries, by Harry S. Tojo, page 3. A New York column reports on Nisei performers in Broadway productions including Flower Drum Song, The World of Suzie Wong, and A Majority of One. It also notes Nisei actors in Destry Rides Again and the search for a Japanese actor for a Broadway production.
  • Board Column: Ten Problems for JACL’s Future, by Dr. Roy Nishikawa, page 4. Nishikawa lists ten issues for the 1960-1970 National Planning Commission to address, including youth programs, chapter programming, staff training, finances, civil rights, and public relations. He also raises questions about organizational structure and the Washington office.
  • Crossroads: Is There a Need for JACL Today?, by Kango Kunitsugu, page 5. Kunitsugu argues that the JACL’s national program has lost purpose as most civil rights problems have been resolved. He suggests dropping the costly Washington office and maintaining the national group as a liaison among chapters.
  • Los Angeles Newsletter: Holiday in Japan at Las Vegas, by Henry Mori, page 7. Mori reviews the Holiday in Japan show at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, featuring James Shigeta and about 60 Japanese performers. He also reflects on the trip and the city’s changes.

National

  • 40 and 8 Fails to Eliminate Own Race Bias, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The American Legion’s national convention rejected a resolution to force the 40 and 8 to drop its white-only membership clause. A milder Hawaii resolution asking for reexamination of the clause was adopted by voice vote.
  • Hawaii’s Model Election, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Excerpts from mainland newspapers praise Hawaii’s voters for choosing Senator Fong and Representative Inouye regardless of race or party. Editorials see the election as proof of American democratic openness.
  • Hawaii’s Historic Hour, by Mike Masaoka, page 8. Masaoka describes witnessing the swearing-in of Hawaii’s first congressional delegation, including Rep. Daniel Inouye and Senators Hiram Fong and Oren Long. He recounts the ceremonies and the Senate seat lottery.
  • Inouye Defends Home Rule Position for D.C., by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rep. Daniel Inouye said his position on self-government for District of Columbia residents was misinterpreted. Sen. Richard Neuberger defended him against press criticism.

Community

  • Garden Grove Lass Due Home from Vienna, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Exchange student Shirley Osumi of Garden Grove High School returns from a summer in Graz, Austria. She won the trip with a winning essay and lived with a Vienna family for two months.
  • Nisei Foreign Serviceman Dies in Afghanistan, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A short item reports on the death of a Foreign Service employee and the Reedley JACL float award. Coverage is brief and factual.
  • Japanese Industrial Team Winds Up U.S. Tour with Turkey Dinner in Typical Home, by P.C. Staff, page 3. A group of Japanese labor officials touring the U.S. ate a turkey dinner at the La Habra home of IBEW business representative Clinton Brame. The visitors praised American living standards and discussed the labor movement’s role in the economy.
  • Jr. Tri-Villes Install New Cabinet Members, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Jr. Tri-Villes, affiliated with Sequoia JACL, installed new officers for 1959-60 at a San Francisco ceremony. The cabinet lineup was listed.
  • Salt Lake Youth Considered for Choir Revival, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Salt Lake JACL named Elna Miya as special projects chairman to revive the choir that sang the JACL Hymn at the national convention. Richard Pixton was asked to organize the group.
  • Pasadena JACLers to See Miss Universe Contest Film, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pasadena JACL will show movies including Challenge and the Miss Universe pageant film at its September 10 meeting. Midori Sunairi will be presented as Nisei Week princess.
  • Blue Cross Group Plan Offered to Salt Lake Chapter Members, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Salt Lake JACL members interested in joining a chapter Blue Cross group were asked to contact Doris Matsuura by September 15. The item is brief.
  • Peace Garden Reception, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A public reception at the International Peace Garden in Salt Lake City featured cultural groups, including girls in kimono performing ondo dances. The event promoted international goodwill.
  • Second Buddhist Woman Minister in L.A. Post, by P.C. Staff, page 5. Rev. Grace Kakugawa, born in Hawaii and ordained in 1958, was assigned to the Nishi Hongwanji in Los Angeles. She will advise youth and Sunday school groups under Rev. Kenryo Kumata.
  • Yellowstone Quake Victim Reports Own Station Wagon Jolted, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Fresno Nisei Kiyoshi Yemoto’s family survived the mid-August Yellowstone earthquake and landslide while camping near Hebgen Dam. Their cabin was shifted and they escaped after road crews cleared a route.
  • Rev. Goto Seeking Sister City for Lodi, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Rev. Taro Goto of the Pacific Sector Methodist conference will seek a Japanese sister city for Lodi during his trip to Japan. He will also take part in a Protestant centennial celebration.

JACL

  • JACL Nominates Rep. Inouye as Outstanding Young Man, by JACL News Service, page 1. The JACL nominated Congressman Daniel Inouye for the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce Ten Outstanding Young Men award. Mike Masaoka praised his achievements and the example he sets for Japanese Americans.
  • Two Scholarships Offered for DeVry Institute Training in Electronics, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL offers a DeVry Technical Institute electronics home-study scholarship named for Mike Masaoka. Applications are due October 30, 1959, and are judged on a form and an accompanying letter.

Arts & Entertainment

  • ‘Hey, Pineapple!’ Nisei Novel to Be Filmed by Japanese Studio, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Shochiku Motion Picture Company plans to film Robert Hongo’s novel about Hawaiian soldiers in the Korean War. Managing director Kiyoshi Takamura announced the plan during a visit to Honolulu.
  • Shinku No Kimono, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The review previews the film Crimson Kimono, praising James Shigeta’s performance as a Los Angeles Nisei detective. It notes the film’s dialogue about ethnic labels and its scheduled San Francisco opening.

Military & Veterans

  • Reedley Chapter Car Wins Fiesta Award, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Reedley JACL decorated car took third place among non-service organizations in the East-West Fiesta parade. The parade was part of the annual celebration tied to the East-West football game.
  • Tri-Villes Gagers and Veterans Notes, by P.C. Staff, page 4. A brief item notes Kelly, a medic who served with Inouye in Company 442, and plans for veterans events. It recounts Kelly’s role in evacuating Inouye after his wound.
  • Two, Three or Five Hundred?, by Akira Hayashi, page 5. Columnist Akira Hayashi, writing as the convention approaches, questions how many people will attend Senator Inouye’s banquet speech. He also discusses hotel bookings and convention logistics.

Obituaries

  • Nisei Foreign Serviceman Dies in Afghanistan, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Masami Taiji, 38, of the Foreign Service at Kabul, Afghanistan, died of a heart attack. He was born in Watsonville and his body was returned to the states with his wife and two sons.
  • Dr. Miles E. Cary Passes Away at 64, by P.C. Staff, page 8. Dr. Miles E. Cary, a wartime sponsor of the JACL and former educational director at Poston, died in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was known for defending the patriotism of Japanese Americans and his Honolulu school work.

Sports

  • Nisei Leads Auburn to Little League World Series, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Bob Sunada pitched Auburn to the Little League World Series championship game, though the team lost after errors. Auburn had scored seven runs in the first inning of an earlier upset win.
  • Delano JACL Babe Ruth Leaguers Capture Title, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Delano JACL-sponsored Babe Ruth team won its recreation softball league by one full game. Coaches Noboru Takaki and Joe Kataho led the squad.
  • Japan High School All-Stars Wind Up California Tour, by P.C. Staff, page 6. The Japan High School All-Stars won five of seven games on a California tour, including a close 3-1 loss to L.A. Nisei All-Stars in 12 innings. The tour drew strong crowds in several cities.
  • Free China Decathlon Star Breaks Record, by P.C. Staff, page 6. C.K. Yang of Formosa, a UCLA student, set a district AAU decathlon record with 7,835 points. He also won the national AAU championship that year.
  • Kono Breaks Pan-Am Weightlifting Record, by P.C. Staff, page 6. Tommy Kono set a Pan-American Games middleweight weightlifting record with a total of 898.5 pounds. Other swimmers also qualified with new Pan-Am marks.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Citizen archive. The title, introduction and contents on this page were written by an AI model from scans of the printed issue, so they may contain mistakes. If you spot one, we would be grateful if you let us know.

More from Issue archive