The 1959 holiday issue: Hawaii statehood and JACL’s next ten years

Vol. 49, No. 26, December 25, 1959. 72 pages. View this issue

Hawaii’s new place as a state opened the 72-page holiday issue of 1959. Lawrence Nakatsuka examined its role as a bridge between East and West, and an editorial tied statehood to the work of the JACL Planning Commission for 1960-70. Harold Gordon, Pat Okura and Ruth Kumata each wrote about what the organization should do in the coming decade, and Mike M. Masaoka reported on the American Embassy’s view of complaints from returning Japanese farm workers. Shig Sakamoto invited members to the 1960 National JACL Convention in Sacramento.

Other pages include Akiji Yoshimura’s account of fourteen Nisei linguists with Merrill’s Marauders in Burma, Elmer Ogawa’s profile of the painter Paul Horiuchi, and Allan Beekman’s column on prejudice. Chapter reports came from Cleveland, Cortez, Fowler, Sonoma County and East Los Angeles. About 52 of the issue’s pages carry holiday greetings.

What’s in this issue

JACL

• Hawaii: Bridge to Asia, by Lawrence Nakatsuka, page 1. Lawrence Nakatsuka examines Hawaii’s new role after statehood, emphasizing tourism, economic diversification, and its unique position as an East-West bridge. He discusses the proposed International Cooperation Center at the University of Hawaii to foster Asian-American exchange.
• Service Is Basic Reason for JACL Existence, by Pat Okura, page 8. Pat Okura, speaking at the Mountain-Plains District convention, argues that the Nisei have been prepared for leadership by their immigrant parents and that service to community is the basic reason for JACL’s existence. He urges chapters to take on community responsibilities and youth leadership roles.

National

• U.S. Gives Views on Farm Contract Issues, by Mike M. Masaoka, page 2. Mike Masaoka reports on the American Embassy’s assessment of complaints from returning Japanese farm workers who spent three years in California. The embassy concluded the complaints do not indicate serious damage to the program, which it considers beneficial to both nations.
• Program Discussion at East Coast Symposium, page 10. Panelists at the EDC-MDC symposium in New York presented ideas for JACL’s 1960-70 program, including paid staff, stronger chapter programs, public relations, and cultural education. The discussion emphasized taking a more active, professional approach to chapter work.
• Hawaii Statehood and the Future Program of JACL, page 13. The Pacific Citizen editorial page outlines areas of program study for the 1960-70 JACL Planning Commission, including public relations, legislation, civil rights, international relations, and youth programming. Community leaders are invited to contribute opinions to shape JACL’s next decade.

Military & Veterans

• Nisei and the Marauders, by Akiji Yoshimura, page 3. Akiji Yoshimura recounts how fourteen Nisei linguists from the Military Intelligence Language School volunteered for the secret Merrill’s Marauders mission in Burma during World War II. He describes their service interrogating prisoners, tapping enemy communications, and serving in key battles such as Npum Ga Hill and the capture of Myitkyina airfield.
• Return of the Prodigal—1959, by George Kyotow, page 18. George Kyotow, New York JACL president, recounts his path from YMCA and oratorical contests into JACL, his early involvement in the Pacific Citizen, and his wartime and postwar experiences in Japan. He concludes by urging continued JACL activism to address remaining discriminatory laws.

Community

• Sacramento in Sixty, by Shig Sakamoto, page 4. Shig Sakamoto promotes Sacramento as host of the 1960 National JACL Convention, describing the Hotel El Dorado as the convention headquarters and the city’s climate, history, and recreational attractions. He encourages members to plan family vacations around the June 28 to July 2 event.
• Cortez JACL Goodwill with Public High, by Irene Yamamoto, page 5. The Cortez JACL chapter reports on its 1959 programs, including a community service orchard project, a fishing derby, scholarship awards, and its 40th anniversary dinner honoring pioneer families. The article details the history of the Cortez farming community founded in 1919.
• Discussion on the Future Program of the JACL, by Ruth Kumata, page 8. Ruth Kumata reports on a Chicago JACL discussion panel about JACL’s future purposes and activities, where participants emphasized membership involvement, public education, and cultural information. Younger members voiced differing views on the continuing need for JACL.
• Problem of Aging, by George Nakamura, page 9. Social Security field representative George Nakamura examines the growing population of older Americans and the rising life expectancy since 1850. He argues that retirement years can be rich and useful and that communities must meet the challenge of aging.
• Sonoma County JACL Chapter Activities, page 10. The Sonoma County JACL chapter reviews its 1959 program, including a membership drive, its first Pioneer Memorial Scholarship, a blood bank, bowling awards, and community picnics. The chapter’s women’s auxiliary also reports on its activities.
• East Los Angeles JACL Embarks on 11th Year, page 11. The East Los Angeles JACL chapter describes its 1959 activities under president Roy Yamadera, including youth programs, Easter egg hunt, Nisei Week participation, and the Issei Appreciation program. The chapter also reports on its community service and fundraising efforts.
• Cleveland: The Best Location in the Nation, by Mine Hirata and Mary Yoshida, page 14. The Cleveland JACL chapter describes its public relations efforts, including a television appearance, a Newsweek rebuttal, campaigns against the word Jap, a record membership drive, and a scholarship program. The article highlights the chapter’s cultural programs and community involvement.
• Monterey Peninsula Auxiliary Anticipates Christmas Luncheon, page 15. The Monterey Peninsula JACL Auxiliary summarizes its 1959 year, including flower arrangement classes, a Mother’s Day luncheon, a Red Cross drive, and the Pacific Grove garden tour. The group also hosted district council guests and its members’ activities for the year.

Commentary

• Unfinished Business, by Elmer Ogawa, page 5. Elmer Ogawa recalls the early Seattle Japanese American editorials of Jimmie Sakamoto from 1928 to 1929, which promoted political participation, voter registration, and citizenship duties among Nisei. The editorials are presented as unfinished business for the upcoming JACL planning decade.
• Legislatively Speaking, by Harold Gordon, page 7. Harold Gordon, JACL national legislative chairman, reflects on dedication within JACL leadership and makes the case for maintaining a strong national organization and Washington office. He outlines legislative goals for 1960-70, including civil rights, immigration reform, and interracial marriage laws.
• The Nature of the Beast, by Allan Beekman, page 16. Allan Beekman argues that prejudice against Japanese Americans is national rather than racial, rooted in fears about Japan. He traces how Hawaii’s plantation system and wartime policies fostered misidentification and calls on Nikkei to reject the Japanese label and emphasize their American identity.

Incarceration & Redress

• Business of Rescuing Drowning Suicides, by Kan Kikuchi (translated by Take and Allan Beekman), page 7. A short story in which an elderly Kyoto woman makes a living by rescuing people who attempt suicide by drowning in the Kyoto drainage canal. Her life is upended when her daughter betrays her and she herself attempts suicide, only to be rescued by a stranger.

In-Depth

• Her Royal Highness, Queen Linda, by Miyuki Kobayashi, page 7. A profile of Linda Yatabe, the 1960 National JACL Queen from San Francisco, describing her background, studies in physical education at UC Berkeley, interests, and personality. The writer portrays her as a poised and wholesome young woman.
• Dateline Bethlehem, by Father Clement, page 9. Father Clement uses the Gospel of Luke as a model of accurate reporting to affirm the historical reality of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. He concludes that Christmas is the birthday of Christ, the Son of God.
• The Kanekos: Citizens of Three Generations, by Henry Mori, page 12. Henry Mori tells the story of Shinsei Kaneko, a pioneer Issei who became one of California’s first naturalized Japanese citizens in 1896, and his descendants. The piece traces the family’s success in Riverside and its ongoing civic commitment.
• Kanrin Maru: Japan’s Naval History and the Transpacific Voyage, by Tamotsu Murayama, page 15. Tamotsu Murayama recounts the 1860 voyage of the Japanese warship Kanrin Maru to San Francisco, crewed entirely by Japanese sailors, including Yukichi Fukuzawa. He describes the ship’s repairs and goodwill donation in San Francisco as part of the centennial of the first U.S.-Japan treaty.
• Fowler JACLers Meet Each Month to Serve Community, by Thomas Toyama, page 19. The Fowler JACL chapter summarizes its 1959 activities, including monthly meetings, a membership drive, a community picnic, sports participation, and a protest against the use of the word Jap in local press. The chapter also reports on its scholarship and Ball Festival participation.

Arts & Entertainment

• Paul Horiuchi—Artist, by Elmer Ogawa, page 12. Elmer Ogawa profiles Seattle painter Paul Horiuchi, tracing his path from railroad worker to a respected artist blending Western technique with Zen-influenced Oriental sensibility. The article recounts his hardships, including the loss of his early paintings, and his recent acclaim.

Sports

• JACL Nisei Olympics and Track Records, page 40. This article lists track and field records from the San Francisco JACL Nisei Olympics and the Los Angeles JACL Nisei Relays by class and event. It serves as a reference for Nisei athletic achievements.

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