Remembering Wilfred Tsukiyama, Hawaii’s first Chief Justice

Vol. 62, No. 2, January 14, 1966. 4 pages. View this issue

The death of Wilfred Tsukiyama, 68, the first Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court, led this four-page issue. He died January 6, and the paper ran a front-page tribute to his career as a pioneering Nisei attorney and politician, plus an editorial, “In Memoriam.” Elsewhere on the front page, Rep. Spark Matsunaga spoke about Vietnam war costs and taxes, Masao Satow addressed the Placer County JACL’s goodwill dinner, and Joe Grant Masaoka wrote about the Japanese voyage to Mexico in 1610.

Inside are columns by Clifford I. Uyeda, Todd Endo, Bill Hosokawa and Elmer Ogawa. Jon Shirota’s novel Lucky Come Hawaii drew a review and an author profile by Dick Gima. Many JACL chapters announced installation dinners and elections, and the Carnegie Corporation gave UCLA another $41,000 for the Japanese American Research Project.

What’s in this issue

Obituaries

• Wilfred Chomatsu Tsukiyama, First Chief Justice of Hawaii Supreme Court, Dies, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Wilfred Tsukiyama, 68, the first Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court and a World War I veteran, died January 6 of cancer at Kuakini Hospital. He is remembered as a pioneering Nisei attorney, politician, and civic leader whose career opened doors for Japanese Americans in Hawaii.
• Tsukiyama: The AJA Pioneer, by P.C. Staff, page 1. This tribute traces Chief Justice Wilfred Tsukiyama’s career from his Honolulu upbringing through his law practice, political service, and the Japanese government honor he received in 1963. It highlights his defense of Nisei loyalty before World War II and his lifelong advocacy for Hawaiian statehood.
• In Memoriam: Wilfred Tsukiyama, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial honors Wilfred Tsukiyama as a Nisei pioneer whose firsts as a lawyer, legislator, and jurist opened doors for Japanese Americans. It recounts his honorary degree, Buddhist leadership, and support for Issei naturalization.

National

• Matsunaga Sees No Increase in Federal Taxes Because of Vietnam War, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Rep. Spark Matsunaga told a Hilo luncheon audience that Vietnam war costs may not force a federal tax increase in the coming congressional session. He predicted any revisions might target excise rather than income taxes and expected a lengthy session.
• Extensive Survey Started to Check Equal Education, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The federal Office of Education began a large survey of 900,000 pupils and 120,000 teachers to assess educational opportunities for minority groups including Orientals. The study, mandated by the 1964 Civil Rights Law, is due July 2, 1966.

Community

• Humphrey Stumbles Over Sparky’s Name, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Vice President Humphrey had trouble pronouncing Rep. Spark Matsunaga’s name while introducing Hawaii’s congressional delegation at a West Coast reception. The lighthearted mishap was widely noted by those present.
• January Active on JACL Calendar with Installations, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Several JACL chapters in Southern California and elsewhere scheduled January and February installation dinners for their new officers. Details on speakers, venues, and reservations were provided for each event.
• San Fernando to Host Feb. 13 PSWDC Quarterly, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL Pacific Southwest District Council will hold its first quarterly session at the Doric Mission Inn in San Fernando on February 13. Agenda items include upcoming district events and the 1965 chapter of the year judging, and new district board appointments were announced.
• Purpose for Organizing JACL in 1930 Recalled at Placer County Goodwill Fete, by P.C. Staff, page 1. National JACL Director Masao Satow addressed nearly 300 members at the Placer County JACL 25th annual goodwill dinner, recalling the three founding purposes of citizenship, public relations, and welfare protection. Roy Yoshida received the JACL silver pin for long service.
• Carnegie Grants Another $41,000 to Issei Story, by P.C. Staff, page 1. UCLA received an additional $41,000 from the Carnegie Corporation for the Japanese American Research Project, bringing total Carnegie support to $141,000 with earlier grants. Chancellor Franklin Murphy praised the study of how Japanese Americans overcame discrimination.
• NIMH Grant Sought to Complete Study by Computer; Sansei Also Eyed, by P.C. Staff, page 1. A year-end conference at UCLA planned to seek National Institute of Mental Health funding to complete the Issei-Nisei-Sansei sociological study. Robert Wilson reported that coding, data processing, and the Sansei survey need substantially more funds.
• Milwaukee President Satoshi Nakahira Reelected, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Satoshi Nakahira was unanimously reelected chairman of the Milwaukee JACL board for 1966 and will be installed January 15. Jeffrey Katuoka was named the new Jr. JACL president.
• Paraguayan Nisei Hailed for Top Military Graduation, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Eduardo Yasuo Kishi, a Japanese Paraguayan, graduated first in the 50-year history of the Paraguayan Military Academy. The Kyodo News report notes his top record in a five-year course.
• Fantasy Based on Fact—Somewhat, by Elmer Ogawa, page 3. Ogawa recounts a late-night conversation with an acquaintance about racial tensions between Asian Americans and Blacks in Seattle. The piece examines paranoid thinking, a disputed traffic accident, and a misstatement about testimony at the Reese trial.
• Chicago JACL Elects Shimidzu, by P.C. Staff, page 4. Lincoln Shimidzu was elected president of the Japanese American Service Committee in Chicago, succeeding Daniel Kuzuhara. The annual meeting also reviewed fundraising progress and a 1966 budget of $72,118.
• Ole, ’66! New Column for Youth, by Paul Tamura, page 4. Paul Tamura introduces a youth column chronicling the history of the JACL youth movement and the formation of the Pacific Northwest District Youth Council. He previews the national youth officers’ election and the Jr. JACL project at the San Diego convention.
• D.C. Installation Goers to Hear Author Allan Bosworth Tell of Evacuation Story, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Washington, D.C. JACL chapter will hold its installation dinner January 22 with guest speaker Capt. Allan Bosworth, author of a documentary on the 1942 West Coast Evacuation. The event also marks the chapter’s 20th anniversary.

In-Depth

• Japanese Land in New World in 1610, by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 1. The article recounts the 1610 Japanese voyage to Acapulco and Mexico City, carrying merchants and Governor Rodrigo de Vivero, which predated the Mayflower by a decade. It also explains Japan’s subsequent isolation policy that ended its early overseas trade and emigration prospects.
• History Project: Japanese Land in New World in 1610 (Continued), by Joe Grant Masaoka, page 4. The continuation explains Japan’s 1638 sealing off from foreign nations after the Shimabara uprising. It also describes Japanese castaways rescued by Americans who later aided U.S. efforts to open Japan.

Commentary

• Philosophy of Action, by Clifford I. Uyeda, page 2. Uyeda responds to criticism that Oriental Americans take no active part in civil rights demonstrations, arguing that Asian Americans have pursued equality through education and self-improvement. He notes that Asian American gains and losses are linked to those of other minority groups.
• Culturally Deprived AJAs, by Todd Endo, page 2. Endo argues that the 1966 national convention theme of youth and history risks introspection without action. He contends Sansei are born materially comfortable yet hold narrow visions, and urges them to break out of a spiritual ghetto.
• Washington Newsletter: The New Congress, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The Second Session of the 89th Congress convened and President Johnson delivered his State of the Union message. The column outlines JACL legislative priorities including civil rights enforcement and immigration law reform.
• Nisei Story, by P.C. Staff, page 2. The editorial praises a New York Times Magazine article by Prof. William Petersen on the success of Japanese Americans in American society. It suggests the Pacific Citizen seek permission to reprint the article.

Arts & Entertainment

• Lucky Come Hawaii, by P.C. Staff, page 2. Bantam Books released a paperback edition of Jon Shirota’s novel Lucky Come Hawaii, which follows an Issei family in Hawaii after Pearl Harbor. The reviewer looks forward to reading it as an account of Japanese in Hawaii during the war.
• Shirota’s Novel ‘Lucky Come Hawaii’ Selling Well in Islands and California, by Dick Gima, page 4. Jon Shirota, a Maui-born Nisei, reports that his novel Lucky Come Hawaii sold more copies in the Los Angeles area than any other book before Christmas. The article profiles his path from a poor high school student to a published novelist.

Military & Veterans

• Ken Murayama Returns to Japan After Decades, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa profiles Ken Murayama, a Nisei who now works for the United States Information Agency in Tokyo and received a Superior Honor Award. The column reflects on how Murayama views America’s changes and Japanese ties.
• Ken Murayama Honored, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Murayama, a Nisei and Japanese citizen, received a U.S. Superior Honor Award from Vice President Humphrey for his work escorting Japanese television reporters. The honor recognized his service to American-Japanese understanding.
• Hino Promoted Colonel, by P.C. Staff, page 4. The Pentagon announced the promotion of Lt. Col. Kenji Hino to colonel in the Signal Corps, along with three other Army officers. Hino served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team in World War II.

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.