More from the February 2017 issue of ​Jitsugyō no Hawaii

​Sugar products and prices
According to Mr. Ross the sugar is red sugar.  Last year's harvest was 15,950 tons, all sold to San Francisco.  

Number of workers by nationality 
As of October 1916, 350 Japanese; 30 Portuguese; 2 Hawaiian; 87 Puerto Rican; 99 Filipino;  85 Chinese; 2 Koreans; 45 Spanish; 5 Amecican. Total 747, plus 345 female workers, full total 1159.

The number of Japanese business persons 
2 religious workers, 4 educators, 4 grocery stores, 1 blacksmith, 4 garages, 1 inn, 2 restaurants, 1 clocksmith, 7 barbers, 6 public baths, 2 tailors, 1 pool bar.

Religion in the area

Reference is made to the Hakalau Jodo Mission, established in 1904, and located at the east end of the camp. In 1917 it had 850 members and several dozen people attend services. 

Also cited with the Honohina Hongwangi which had been built in 1916, pictured on the right.

Honohina Hongwanji built in 1916, picture in 1917.

Mr. John Ross

TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR THE JAPANESE PEOPLE IN HAWAII
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John Ross, Hakalau Plantation manager, reported:
I left Scotland and came to Hawaii 22 years ago, then employed Japanese workers.  When I look back on those days, their living standard improved, and I feel that they are living in a completely different age.   First, their appearances, foods, house, cleanliness of their houses, children’s education advanced.  Their lives and society became well-ordered after the number of married persons increased.  They are truly kind to me.  Since they are naturally smart, they do things quickly.  They have self-esteem, which is a good thing.  There are many pious Christians converted from Buddhists under the guidance of Rev. Sokabe.   

Mr. Kikujiro Yokoyama
He is from Shiro-mura, Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi-ken.  He arrived at Honolulu in January 1895.  He worked for Halakau Sugar plantation for 3 years.  Then he farmed sugar in Pepeekeo under contract to start his own business for 4 years.  In June 1898 he suddenly moved back to Japan for family issues and stayed there for 2 years.  He married and moved back to Hakalau in July 1902.  He worked hard for the establishment of Japanese Association.  He has been working for the store as a chief of remittance.  He is naturally mild, obedient, and reputable. 

There was no photo of Mr. Yokoyama included in the 1917 article, but there are photos taken 25 years later. The photo above is currently hanging in the Social Hall of the Hakalau Jodo Mission. Hakalau Japanese Language School 30th Anniversary, circa 1934. Honorees (left side): front row from left to right: Mr. Koya, Mr. Miyashiro, Mr, Yokoyama; back row; Mr. Fujinaga, and Mr. Kikuchi. Others in Attendance (right): Mr. and Mrs. John M. Ross, Mr. and Mrs. George Ross, and Rev. and Mrs. Yamanaka. Source: copy of photo currently hanging in the Hakalau Jodo Mission.

NOTE: Mr. Yokoyama's leadership in the Japanese community of the Hakalau Plantation and the Hakalau Jodo Mission was well-documented in various records over time:

• The location of his house in noted in the map of Hakalau Upper Camp prepared in Nekketsu Takei included in his book Hawaii Ichiran which means "a table of Hawaii" published on 5/15/1914.
• The book, Hawaii Jinbutsu Hyoron, by Ryugai Aoki (1914) features 80 Japanese who lived between Olaa and Kukuihaele, including Mr. Yokoyama:

If you go to Hakalau and ask Japanese people who the representative person is, 10 of 10 will say ‘Kikujiro Yokoyama’. 
He is a little over 30, has 4 children, working for a plantation store there.  When he came to Hawaii over 10 years ago, he did not behave very well.  He has been studying English and Japanese culture hard after he was hired by the plantation store.  He gradually became reputable since is smart and logical, then he has been working hard for the local society.  I am impressed.

He is from Yamaguchi-ken.  It is great that he works extremely hard and the store owner much trusts him.  He is not good-looking but true colors cannot tell from appearance.   He is not very friendly, but his wife is.  Businessmen should be better to be friendly, but it cannot help because that is his nature. 
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Though he is not friendly, it is way better than friendly gentlemen of fortune.  He is not arrogant like gentlemen of fortune.  As I wrote, he cares about public projects, and he does not show off. It is admirable.  Someone says he is narrow-minded nationalistic; if so, it is not good.   

• A short history compiled by the 10th minister, Tamura Hakushi (1979-1996), details the history from the first minister through the tenth and notes that Mr. Yokoyama was instrumental in the creation of the Japanese Language School: 

A member of Sei Ren Ji temple in Yashiro Mura, Oshima Gun, Yamaguchi-prefecture, named Hakalau Upper Camp resident, Yokoyama Kikuchiro, and others to help him establish a school with $600. The school opening ceremony was held on November 3rd, 1904, the auspicious day of Japanese Emperor’s birthday.

• Light on the Ocean, published in 1934, celebrates the Hawaii Jōdo-shū, acknowledges the hard work of members, and encourages continued effort. Mr. Yokoyama's contributions to the community are noted:

Since January 1895, when he moved to Hawaii, he kept himself busy with his talent in leadership in many fields. 

Since 1904, he was one of the founding members of Hakalau Church and its affiliated Japanese Language School, and till this year worked very hard as the principal. However, he retired this year and was given an honorary position. Since 1905 till present he has been the Chief of Japanese department of Hakalau Farm Store. At the same time he has been the president of Hakalau Showa Association, a local Japanese organization.

In his early years he worked very hard as a service assistant when the grand priests from Japan, namely Kami-i, Itsushima and Sakai, representing Bishop in Honolulu, made a visit to give a service. In July 1932, under the guidance of grand priest Sakai, he and his wife received higher religious teachings. This shows his rare piety and dedication. 

On July 28th, 1922 he received a letter of appreciation from the present Bishop of Jodo Mission, grand priest Yamashita.

On June 4th of this year (1933) he was given an official recognition as a hard working contributor of 30 years. 

Kikujiro Yokoyama with his wife, Machi, and two of his children, included in Light on the Ocean, 1934.

• Mr. Yokoyama is also recognized as a Director for the The 35th Anniversary and the Three Ministers’ Anniversary of Passing, The New Church Building Construction Committee Members. His name was included on the 1936 ganshu, the wish behind the effort  to build a new Mission.

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​NO PICTURE AVAILABLE

Mr. Chuzo Kawamoto
He was born in Tononyu, Oshima-gun, Yamaguchi-ken.  He came to Hawaii in December 1893 by Yamashiro-maru.  He worked in Lahaina, got sick and suffered for a year and a half.  After recovery he moved to Hakalau and did milking.  He went back to Japan in 1911.  He came back to Hakalau in 1912.  He is loyal to his job, work hard for the camp, temple, and school.  He is interested in child education.

Mr. Takejiro Maeda
His legal domicile is Omachi, Yasu-mura, Asa-gun, Hiroshima-ken.  He came to Hawaii in June 1890 by Saga-maru.  He worked for Hakalau Sugar plantation.  He was good at building stone walls.  The former plantation owner appointed him as a mason.  He showed his ability for 2 years then the manager Zemann (?) let him learn Western style concrete placing work.  He has been working for concrete work for 23 years.  He is greatly trusted by the plantation owner and promoted to the current important position.

​He makes much of child education.  He fostered his cousin’s son; sent him to Hiroshima Middle School and merchant-marine school.  The boy finished school in March last year and died of sick in October on his training cruise.  What a grief!  He is serious and known as a public-spirited man. 

Mr. Takejiro Maeda

Mr. Buzen Maesato

Mr. Buzen Maesato
He was born in Heshikiya, Katsuren-mura, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken.  He came to Hawaii in June 1905 by Drick (?).  He did sugar contract business in Puunene#3,  Maui for 4 years, moved to Waikapu and lived there for 2 years, visited Japan in 1908 to see his parents, came back to Hawaii in 1910 and worked in Waikapu for 2 years.  He moved to Waikamalu to start a big business. He leased scores of acres of land in hometead (Piha Lots 20 and 22) and planted sweet potato using over 10 workers.  He is known as a smart independent farmer there.   He was the chairman of Hakalau Japanese School, trusted by the landlord Mr. Ross.  He is a reputable person in Hakalau.  

Mr. Takehei Nishimoto
He, who was born in Yokoshima-mura, Tamana-gun, Kumamoto-ken, came to Hawaii by Nihon-maru on January 3, 1902.  He worked for ditch works in Niuli, Kohala for 18 months, moved to Waimea to dig a ditch as a foreman of 27 men for a year and 3 months.  He then contracted for a fence setting for Sam Pakwan(?), he completed it in several months and moved to Honokaa to contract rua(?) hiring 60 men.  He contracted for many works in many places, but nothing went very well.  His wife got sick when he was building a ditch in Kahakuia (?).  He spent $1800 for her but she died after fighting against the illness for 2 years and 3 months.  He however made $1800 in Ookala in 10 months so that he could cover the financial loss.  Then he worked in Kapuli (?), Puna, Pahoa and the business went well.  He came to Waikamalu to contract for public road.  Hakalau Plantation owner trusted him.  He was hired by plantation and farmed sweet potato on 13 acres of land.  He is an outstanding businessperson there. He is hard-working, trusted, and stouthearted. He makes much of education.  His 1st son Ko and 2nd son Noritaka are going to Hilo Intermediate School.

Mr. Takehei Nishimoto of Ninole.

Mr. Takehei Nishimoto and family. Children are Takashi, Noritaka, Takenori, Mitsuko and Tsuruko.

Mr. Katsushiro Shiotani

​Mr. Katsushiro Shiotani
He is from Fukada-mura, Mitsugi-gin, Hiroshima-ken came to Hawaii on March 26, 1892.  He worked for Honokaa Mill, Hamakua, moved to Waikamalu to farm sweet potatoes.  He then planted sugar canes on about 50 acres of land and made profit of several thousand dollars every year.  He however got paralyzed in December 1914 so that he went into situation to be unable to work.  He is an honest ideal worker, did a lot for community, and is highly respected.