This item appeared in the January 2017 issue of The White Way, newsletter of Moiliili Hongwanji. For more photos, display page 5 of that issue.

The Fall Seminar on the theme “75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor,” included keynote speaker Dr. George Tanabe, with panel of respondents: retired professor Ernest Oshiro, Rev. Thomas Okano and Rev. Bert Sumikawa.

Dr. Tanabe gave a very informative talk on the difference between 100th battalion and 442nd regimental combat team. He explained the difference between being 100% American vs. 100% Japanese and loyalty to both countries. He provided historical content and clarification of Buddhist ‘position’ on loyalty issues.

The panel of respondents gave very personal wartime experiences and amazing stories. They brought forth topics that are not widely known and talked about the internment camps in Honouliuli. Why were all the ‘kotonks’ on the mainland sent to internment camps and why were just the leaders in Hawaii sent to internment camps?

Some of the comments expressed by the participants were a desire for a follow-up session, stories were interesting and relatable, and the seminar was packed with lessons for appreciating culture and historical events of Pearl Harbor.

Many thanks go to emcee Ethel Aiko Oda and to Raymond Takiue & Kerry Kiyohara, the technicians for the day. An important part of the seminar were those in charge of registration & refreshments—Lois Ohta, Cynthia Ogasawara, Susan Okano, Nancy Hironaka, and Mari Fukuya. Mahalo for everyone’s kokua!