The heroic life and tragic death of a Honokaʻa storekeeper who was murdered in 1889 for his advocacy of plantation workers’ rights, has inspired a first-time commemoration. Students and faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo observed Katsu Goto Legacy Week September 18–23, to pay homage to the 27-year-old Japanese immigrant, who was killed by lynching on Hawaiʻi Island.
Patsy Iwasaki, an assistant professor of English at UH Hilo, published Hāmākua Hero: A True Plantation Story, a graphic novel on Goto who had worked at ʻŌʻōkala Plantation along the Hāmākua coast and fought for justice and labor rights for Japanese plantation workers. On September 19, UH Hilo hosted a meet-the-author event on campus at Moʻokini Library.
“It was a fantastic talk story event,” said Iwasaki. “We talked about culture as portrayed in the graphic novel, with many in the audience participating in the discussion, from food culture, gender, arranged marriage, family and lynching.”
Immigrant experience
Avery Berido, a UH Hilo alumnus, provided illustrations for the graphic novel. The 80-page book delves into the Japanese-Hawaiʻi immigrant experience which in the 1880’s, was filled with injustice and tragedy for many.
“Although this story happened over 130 years ago, it is essentially about identity and the migrant experience, which is very relevant today,” said Iwasaki. “The story is modern with modern themes. It’s about a regular person who did something remarkable, who exhibited courage and bravery to help others, and that is something so inspiring and worth celebrating.”
At the event, Iwasaki shared that with a grant she received from the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities in fall 2022, 700 copies of the book were utilized by 40 teachers on Hawaiʻi Island. The resource has enabled teachers to introduce the topic of sugar plantations and explain how Hawaiʻi became a multicultural state through labor recruitment.
According to Iwasaki, the teachers consider the novel an informative learning resource because students don’t know about the island’s history since the plantations closed many decades ago, and the many important themes in the graphic novel resonate with students.
Never to be forgotten
In an effort to keep Goto’s contributions alive, Iwasaki is producing a documentary film and gives presentations about his legacy at events on campus and in the community. Diversity, and the design, development, and implementation of place and community-based, culturally relevant resources in education is one of her many research interests and teaching practices. She has conducted extensive research activities, published articles, and given academic presentations in the United States, Asia and Europe in these areas.
On September 22, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth signed a proclamation declaring Katsu Goto Legacy Week which was also proclaimed and supported by Gov. Josh Green and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The following day, a special ceremony was held at Goto’s gravesite at Hāmākua Jodo Mission in Honokaʻa. His relatives attended and were accompanied by dignitaries and friends from Japan. After the ceremony, State Representative Chris Todd presented the proclamations at the Peace Day Festival in Honokaʻa Town.
For more go to UH Hilo Stories.
—By Cheylan Zimmerman, an English major at UH Hilo. Susan Enright, editor of UH Hilo Stories, contributed.
