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TI: Now, you said that you were born in Hilo, Hawaii. And so what were your parents doing in Hilo, Hawaii, when you were born?

MO: I had no idea what I was going to...

TI: No, I'm sorry, not what you were, but your parents. What were they doing in Hilo?

MO: They were teachers.

TI: What kind of teachers were they? What did they do?

MO: I think they were language school teachers, Japanese school.

TI: And do you know what the name of the school that they taught at?

MO: Well, they are, the first school, Dr. Shinoda, Dr. Shinoda, they were boarding there, and then they, I suppose, like a superintendent or something. But they got them together and then assigned them to teach at Waiakea Japanese, Waiakea Uka, sugar cane country, I guess. That's where they were, the first appointment was over there, and they were teaching there. I guess that's when one of my brothers were born. But I cannot tell you exactly. But they were doing a good job, and so the superintendent, whoever that was, appointed him to, them, to go to Wahiawa.

TI: Okay. So Wahiawa is actually in... so they went from Hilo, the Big Island, to Oahu?

MO: I think they were teaching at Ola Japanese school in Hilo.

TI: Uh-huh. And then also the Shinoda was also in Hilo.

MO: They were the ones in Hilo, yes.

TI: Okay. So they were teaching in Hilo, that's when they had you. And then they moved over to Oahu, and that's when Akira was born?

MO: Yes.

TI: Okay. And you mentioned teaching, but I think your father more than just the teacher. Wasn't he the principal of these schools?

MO: I think he was, yeah. In fact, they were in Hilo, and they were teaching at Waiakea.

TI: Uh-huh, so Waiakea Uka Japanese school.

MO: Japanese school.

<End Segment 3> - Copyright ©2009 Densho. All Rights Reserved.