September 6, 1981

Honorable Joan Z. Bernstein
Chairperson
Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians
726 Jackson Place, N.W.
Suite 2020
Washington D.C. 20506

Dear Ms. Bernstein

As President of the Honolulu Chapter, JACL, and on behalf of Dr. Franklin Odo, Chairperson, and of Lawrence Kumabe, Vice-Chairperson, of the Honolulu JACL Research Committee on Internment and Reparations, I am pleased to transmit the testimony of our eight witnesses, presenting the views of our Chapter and of Hawaii to the Commission.

I doing so, we recognize the difficult and arduous task assigned to the Commission, but have every confidence it its ability to fulfill this challenge and its Congressional mandate under Public Law 96-317.

Very truly yours,

[Signed]
Earl Nishimura
President, Honolulu Chapter
Japanese American Citizens League
P.O. Box 3160>
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

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Japanese American Citizens League
Testimony of Earl Nishimura
To The Commission on Wartime and Internment of Civilians
Seattle, Washington,
September 09, 1981

Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Commission:

I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today. I am Earl K. Nishimura, President, Honolulu Chapter, Japanese American Citizens League. About a year ago, this Chapter began its study of wartime internment in Hawaii.

The review by your Commission would be grossly incomplete without consideration of Hawaii's story. We are here, a delegation of eight members, to tell you that story, for we strongly believe that the experiences of Hawaii's Japanese during this period will serve to enlighten and increase your understanding of the critical issues which need to be examined.

On December 7, 1941, about 37,000 first generation Japanese (Issei) who had lived in Hawaii 50 years or more were suddenly perceived as enemy aliens. These Issei, under existing laws, were not eligible to become naturalized Americans until 1952.

Concurrently, about 130,000 second generation Japanese Americans (Nisei) faced the dilemma of America at war with Japan. Many felt that the opportunity had come to prove their loyalty by action. They welcomed this because they had been under mistrust and suspicion since their birth in Hawaii. Public expressions by Japanese Americans of loyalty to America prior to Pearl Harbor did not have receptive listeners in the high places of government. For example, I served on the Executive Committee of the New American Conference, and we adopted many resolutions expressing our loyalty to America but these were largely ignored. Under the leadership of the Reverend Takie Okumura, this Conference, established in 1927 and continued in 1941, had passed resolutions with themes such as: be a real American, end dual citizenship, serve in the U.S. Army and Navy, build friendship between America and Japan. Similarly, under the leadership of Bishop Yemyo Imamura, founder of the Japanese High School (Hawaii Chugakko) from which I graduated, we learned about the cultural values of honor, loyalty, and duty. These concepts strengthened the character of our American citizenship.

To the great disappointment of Hawaii's Japanese Americans, the privilege of serving one's country in time of war was denied. The Selective Service Board, of which I was a member, disallowed the enlistment of Japanese Americans after December 7th. In addition to this denial, reserve officers of Japanese descent were dismissed summarily and immediately after Pearl Harbor.

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Despite these barriers, the first and second generation Japanese sought alternatives to render wartime services. They actively served in the Varsity Victory Volunteers, Emergency Service Committee, War Bond Sales Drives, American Red Cross, and other essential voluntary services. In the Spring of 1943, Japanese Americans were finally permitted to enlist. The outstanding records of the 442 Regimental Combat Team, the 100th Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Unit in the Pacific have been amply described.

A great deal of confusion and frustration among the local Japanese was compounded when a total of about 1500 -- about 1000 Issei and about 500 Nisei including the Kibei (born in the U.S. and educated in Japan) suspected Japanese, both citizens and lawful permanent residents were taken to different interrogation centers without the constitutional protection of due process. These centers were located in the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and at the U.S. Immigration Center and Sand Island near Honolulu Harbor. Following this, about 350 American of Japanese ancestry were taken to the Honouliuli Detention Camp some 15 miles west of Honolulu. Another 1000 plus were transported to relocation camps in Crystal City, Jerome, Topaz and other mainland camps.

In my examination of the many factors involved in this internment, it appears that the FBI and military intelligence relied heavily on external factors, such as the dual citizenship status and determined their un-American status by presumption of disloyalty.

Let me clarify this position by asking these questions:

1) Were the Nisei and Kibei residents in Hawaii interned because of their dual citizenship? This is a common conflict in international law -- the law of the blood recognized in Japan and the law of the soil recognized in the United States. In 1924, however, the Japanese government enacted an expatriation law permitting dual citizens to become full-fledged American citizens. It is interesting to note here that about 15,000 residents had been expatriated from the Japanese government in a very short time after the enactment. I am one of the first in this category, having been expatriated in 1926.

2) Why were 1500 residents suspected as dangerous, hostile, and inimical to the national security of the United States when, in fact, the FBI could not find any substantial evidence of disloyalty, sabotage, or espionage before or at the time of Pearl Harbor or in the course of the war? A few Japanese might have made indiscreet statements in the heat of the war fever. Still, these are very few isolated cases. It appears that because of the very few, the rest of the Japanese suspects were arrested for the internment following the theory of guilt by association. A surveillance on these suspects should have been imposed instead of imposing the internment arrest.

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3) Isn't loyalty a matter of heart and mind? An Americanization and assimilation process had been occurring at a normal pace through our American public schools as well as through the efforts of the Japanese American community. If only the American military intelligence had more thoroughly observed and studied the Americanization among the Japanese, they would have reached a different conclusion on the question of loyalty. It is essential for the Commission to review the purpose, scope, and depth of analysis of the military intelligence investigations in Hawaii.

Justice cannot be achieved without serious consideration of reparations to these internees. It is our hope that this Commission will examine all the alternatives and appropriately remedy the damages of personal and emotional injuries and economic losses suffered by the internees.

[Signed]
Earl Nishimura
__________
Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822
Telephone: ____________