One of the first language schools had been founded in 1896...Soon the idea of teaching the Japanese language to Nisei became extremely popular, especially since the schools facilitated communication and cultural transmission within the Issei family and provided a child-care center for working parents. With the proliferation of Buddhist institutions, the Japanese language schools came under the control of a more "Japanesey" leadership. Besides instruction in the language, reverence for the emperor and a strong attachment to things Japanese dominated the curriculum of the Buddhist-operated language schools. Many young Nisei would therefore attend not only public school, learning American culture and language, but would study the ways of Japan at the language schools. (Source: Dennis M. Ogawa, Kodomo no tame ni: For the sake of the children, The University of Hawaii Press, 1978, p. 141)
The Years between World Wars, 1921-1937: During the years between World Wars, under the leadership of Ministers Soga, Itakura, and Yamanaka, the Hakalau Jodo Mission continued to grow and support the community through the Japanese Language School and Church. In the 1920's, Japanese language schools across the Territory came under attack in during a surge of "America First" mentality that began during World War I. This started with the Federal Commission on Education noting that Hawaii had 163 Japanese language schools educating nearly 20,000 students. The sentiment among haoles in the early 1920's was that such education was detrimental to the health of Nisei children and their progress in American schools was retarded and their loyalty to the United States was confused and neglected. Japanese immigrants felt that continuation of the Japanese language schools was essential:
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- In an unexpected maneuver, the defenders of the language schools in 1925 took the litigation out of the Territorial courts and filed in the United States District Court. After legal battles and appeals, the United States Supreme Court rendered a decision on February 21, 1927, which struck down the Territorial Legislature’s language school control laws as unconstitutional. The decision was based fundamentally on the fact that the “Japanese parent has the right to direct his own child without unreasonable restriction” and that the Territorial laws sought to control the schools “for no adequate reason. (Source: Dennis M. Ogawa, Kodomo no tame ni: For the sake of the children, The University of Hawaii Press, 1978, p. 146)
The Mamiya Years, 1937-1975: During the tenure of 8th Minister Mamiya, community engagement expanded and, after World War II, reflected the diversity of the population surrounding the Mission--Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, Scot, German and others. During World War II, the Mission was closed and Rev. Mamiya interned. After the War, community activities flourished, ranging from baseball, boy scouts, aikido to feeding workers and their families during strikes of the 1940's and 1950's. At the end of 1962, Hakalau Plantation ceased to exist as a corporate entity and the camps, sugar cane lands and production facilities became part of Pepeekeo Sugar Company. In the 1960's and 1970's, camps were dismantled, and homes sold on a removal basis. Church members moved to Pepeekeo, Hilo and elsewhere. Church membership declined as the population moved away. Nevertheless, the commitment to support the community remained strong.
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The Later Years, from 1975-present: Dismantling of the plantation community continued and Church membership dwindled during the time of Ministers Tanaka and Tamura. The Big Island sugar plantations closed. The Hakalau Jodo Mission transitioned from a full-time minister to a part-time minister, with Minister Sawaguchi serving as the last resident Minister, followed by part-time Ministers Wansa and Miyazaki. Nevertheless, the commitment to the community continues. New neighbors have moved into the area offering new opportunities for community engagement.
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For the Hakalau Kuleana, our responsibility is to care for the land, the people, and the culture. We are guided by cultural values of YESTERDAY: Engage in collective effort. Look out for each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us. Aloha and Mālama `Aina. In 2021, Akiko Masuda added two more values to the list: Consistently show up. Whatever has to be done, jump in and do it!
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