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CG Kamo’s Remarks

At the “History and Commemoration: Legacies of the Pacific War” Dinner

July 25, 2010 

Good Evening. Aloha!

I would like to welcome you all to my home this evening. I may be sounding as if I was hosting this event, but as a matter of fact, my contribution is limited. I offer only the space, this old building and the backyard where you are going to spend this evening. All the food is provided by your true hosts; Pacific Historic Parks and other sponsoring institutions, so let us give many thanks to them.

As I said, you are currently at the Japanese Consulate compound. The Consulate has been at this corner of Nuuanu and Kuakini since its foundation back in 1886. The Japanese immigrants first sailed to Hawaii in 1868. These were some one hundred something people who came here on their own arrangements. In the year of 1885, the first group of government contract immigrants arrived in Honolulu, which was followed by the subsequent dispatches of immigrants to Hawaii by the Japanese government. The first Japanese Consul came along with the first government contract immigrants in 1885. The following year, he opened the consulate to take care of Japanese immigrants and Japanese immigration. Since then, the consulate has been basically located here, while expanding its area by acquiring neighboring lots. This is quite an old establishment. It has seen many VIPs and historic events.

In order to illustrate how old and how important this premise is, I would like to point out that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited here for several occasions in the past. For instance, in 1975, Emperor Showa, Hirohito, and Empress Nagako came here and they were welcomed by local Japanese people in the backyard of this residence. In 1994, the present Emperor, Akihito, and Empress Michiko came. On both occasions, they planted trees in the consulate compound. We will not move out from here.

This is a relatively new tradition that the Japanese Consulate takes part in this program by co-hosting the welcoming reception. We are honored to be invited to be part of this. To participants from the mainland U.S.A. and the rest of the world: Welcome to Honolulu. You must be exhausted as you have spent outdoors all this afternoon in the historical sites of Pearl Harbor. But you will have a short break tomorrow so you can embark on another bus tour the day after tomorrow. Yes indeed, this is a most well-planned program. In addition to war memorial sites, you will have access to great museums and presentations. You will hear the amazing stories of war veterans. You will also hear the Japanese accounts, ranging from a Tokyo Tribunal historian to an atomic bomb survivor. You will be engaged in individual research work during your stay. I am totally impressed with the scope of work you are supposed to handle. I heartily commend this program for its depth and width, and admire those who organize this incredibly substantive workshop for their professionalism and dedication.

It is always difficult to deal with history. It should be constantly put into perspective by fair and critical minds. You are chosen to carry out this mission. I wish you a rewarding experience and an enjoyable stay in Hawaii this coming week.

Thank you.