Letter From the Editor
Hanashi in Japanese means “talk,” “speech,” “conversation” or “story.” One of my favorite parts about the holiday season is the anticipated moment when my family, friends and loved ones gather around my dining room table to relax, eat our favorite foods (hello to the Kajiya family seafood dip, which appears only once a year!) and just “talk story.”
We sit there for hours reconnecting with one another, chatting about everything going on in our busy lives, as well as remember times that happened years earlier but in that moment of recollection feel like they occurred only yesterday.
That is the power of storytelling — the ability to bring alive feelings of deep connection that remind of us of the enduring strength of our shared history. Every story we tell and every tradition we honor becomes a foundation for those who will follow us. Each tale has the power to bridge the past and the future together.
The many unique stories presented in this special issue of the Pacific Citizen celebrate our community’s rich history and proud heritage. You’ll read about Lucy, a special dog that bonded an entire group of soldiers from a 442nd RCT medics unit together in Italy during World War II; special traditions JACLers honor during the holiday season; a new future for a beloved Japanese American family’s rice business (don’t worry, it’s here to stay); what’s next for one of America’s “11 Most Endangered Historic Places” — and many more articles that highlight the vital importance of the AAPI experience.
In this season of reflection and renewal, may the strength of our connections and the stories we treasure guide us through the present and into the future. And may we, as a community, continue to preserve these stories for generations to come. Here’s to “History and Hanashi” . . . always.
— Allison Haramoto, Executive Editor
