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TI: So we have the names of your sister and brother, let's go back to your father. What was your father's name?

IH: Tetsuji.

TI: And where did he, where was he born? Where did he grow up?

IH: He was born in Hiroshima. That's almost to the city limit, and then one of the old family. And then he was telling me they are a samurai family. [Laughs] Those days, they are really proud of the samurai families. And then my mother is...

TI: Well, but before we go to your mother, so why did your father come to Hawaii?

IH: Oh. He was the second son, and Japanese culture is only first son can get the higher education. So he didn't have any chance to get it. So he tried to go in the foreign country, tried to find something else. So he went himself. And then later, he come back, went back to Japan and then married with my mother.

TI: Okay, and then what's your mother's name?

IH: Shigeno.

TI: Shigeno. And do you know what year they got married?

IH: No, I don't know.

TI: Or do you know what year your father came to Hawaii?

IH: That, too, I have a record in home, but...

TI: Okay, no, that's okay. So first he came to Hawaii, he worked a little bit, then he went back to Japan, married your mother, and then they came back to Hilo?

IH: Yes.

TI: And then they had your sister Teruko in 1920, and then later on you and your brother in Hilo. What else can you remember from Hilo?

IH: That's all, about... another thing is we went to the swimming. Inside the Hilo bay has a Coconut Island. It's a really small island, and it's close to the shore. Now they have a bridge, but those days, didn't have. Just swim out to the Coconut Island. Still, I remember yet.

TI: Well, you were a young boy. Could you swim?

IH: No, somebody took me out there. That's not far from the shore.

TI: But you remember someone taking you to the island.

IH: Yeah, and then stayed there and eat lunch, something like that.

<End Segment 2> - Copyright © 2011 Densho. All Rights Reserved.