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gky: Do you feel that the MIS, the things they did in the war, as well as the 442nd and 100th, helped Hawai'i at all in getting statehood?

DO: Definitely, 100%, because if wasn't for that, Hawai'i still be a -- we Japanese are second-class citizen. No matter how Americanized you are, our color is still yellow and we just cannot get full trust from the government. Because of the opportunity we had to show the loyalty to the country, and more so when the 100th Battalion and the 442 had such a splendid record and, of course, in addition to the MIS. If not for the war, I strongly believe I still be, we still Japanese American no matter how our generation, we still consider ourselves second-class citizen. And we would not find -- I personally believe we would never find any Orientals in the Congress.

gky: How were the Japanese Americans treated before the war and after the war, or was there any difference?

DO: In Hawai'i, we're very fortunate, very fortunate. Although, although there is a feeling, but as far as treatment is concerned in Hawai'i, we're very, very lucky, that's compared to what I hear on the mainland where they're shoved into the prison camp and all that and lost all their assets and whatnot. That was really a tragedy. I felt sorry for all my relatives and my relatives in Sacramento, they have to practically give away things and get prison. I call it concentration camp. I don't call it relocation camp. I mean, the barbed wire and all that and they're American citizen. I think that's one black mark of American history.

gky: Can you tell me what, how you were treated before the war and after the war?

DO: Well, personally, I was treated very nicely, as far as that's concerned.

gky: How about Japanese overall? How were they treated?

DO: In Hawai'i, I think it was very good, especially after the war. We can see we have an equal chance now.

gky: And you didn't before?

DO: Yeah, yeah. Before, you get in a position, it's a prejudice there. There's always a prejudice, but not as great as before.

gky: Can you think of anything else?

DO: Well, no. Actually, all I can say is that we had one of the opportunity to show our loyalty and win the trust of our government and for our future generation, I think we did a wonderful job.

gky: When you came back after the war, you got discharged. Did you have a different feeling about being Japanese American?

DO: I had, I felt more proud to be Japanese American.

gky: Why?

DO: Before, you're American, but you're Japanese, you know, felt like a second-class citizen. And now we're just as good as any other Americans.

gky: So in other words, it's a matter of acceptance.

DO: That's right.

gky: Were there more opportunities for Japanese Americans in Hawai'i?

DO: Yes, definitely.

gky: What kinds of opportunities?

DO: Any position that if you can do the job, you have a good chance to get the job, and especially in government and in politics, as you know. Even we have four-star general Japanese now. That would never have happened.

gky: I can't think of anything else. How about you?

DO: No. All I can say I'm very proud that I'm American and I live in America, no matter what. I mean, people never satisfied with our government, but there's no better government, as far as I'm concerned, any other country.

gky: Okay. Thank you very much.

DO: You're welcome.

[Interruption]

gky: When the prisoners found out on Kwajalien that the war had ended, they gave you these handkerchiefs; they made them.

DO: Well, at the time, they went home, they're ready to go home, when they're ready to leave. I didn't know they had this. They were drawing these pictures on the handkerchief. And what I did is I used to buy a carton of cigarettes. They were only fifty cents a carton. And I gave to the people who works with me to take care of the compound there. I had excellent cooperation from the men and I really treated them nice so, in appreciation, Japanese, they like to pay back whatever and show gratitude. Then I was surprised they gave me that. And it was really good job, beautiful job, they made on the handkerchief. Six of them, they gave me as a souvenir, memento for them.

gky: Okay. Thank you very much.

<End Segment 9> - Copyright &copy; 2001 Bridge Media and Densho. All Rights Reserved.