Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 1988 — OHA Chair Supports U.S. Apology To Interned Japanese [ARTICLE]

OHA Chair Supports U.S. Apology To Interned Japanese

OHA chairperson Moses K. Keaie, Sr. sent a letter of support to the head of the Japanese Ameriean Citizens League on August 10, the day Fresident Ronald Reagan signed legislation providing cash payments and an apology to Japanese Americans who were relocated and interned during World War II. Keale's letter was addressed to Ron Wakabayashi, nahonal director of the San Francisco, California-based League: "Dear Mr Wakabayashi:

The people of the United States of America ean be justly proud of the events whieh took plaee today in Washington, D.C. The President's signature on legislation offering a nahonal apology and providing a measure of restitution to an estimated 120,000 Japanese Americans does mueh to reassure minority groups that this nation is determined to preserve and safeguard the basic human rights to whieh all people are entitled.

A blot on the honor of the United States, created by the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, has been diminished by the signing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, whieh officially supported this legislation, shares your satisfaction in the public acknowledgement of the terrible injustice inflicted bythegovernment of the United States on its loyal citizens of Japanese ancestry.

We congratulate the many legislators, including Senators Matsunaga and Inouye, and Representatives Mineta, Akaka and Saiki for their diligent efforts in restoring dignity and honor to an innocent and helpless people, Me ke aloha pumehana,

Moses K. Keale, Sr., Chairperson ' In December 1983, the OHA Board of Trustees adopted a formal resolution caliing on congress to "make amends for the injustices inflicted on individuals of Japanese and Aleut ancestry during World War II. . ." by adopting legislation to "acknowledge the fundamental injustice of the evacuation, relocation and internment", "apologize on behalf of the people of the United States" and "make restitution to those individuals of Japanese ancestry who were interned. . ."