For the past 15 years, I've been moving houses and buildings to new locations in Puna, Hawaii and providing affordable housing, much needed here. I have acquired a contractor's license for the trade and because people have benefited from the savings, I feel kinda useful doing what I do.
I don't drink, smoke, or dope. I drank and smoked marijuana when I was a kid brain in Viet Nam and a young hippy songwriter. Drugs and the like are a blessing when you are a prisoner of war for example. But what is the excuse for not trying to make it when you're a free man with all that's given here for us?
I was born here and my parents were born here. I love this place and try to keep it decent. I'm no better than any Hawaiian blood and no less. And I did a lot for this land, maybe less than some, but more so than some, even pure or part-blooded Hawaiians I bet. So even though I'm japanese, to me I'm Hawaiian, just like him, same as you, and nobody else can be more Hawaiian than me - or you..
That's why I recorded this song and CD album called MORE HAWAIIAN THAN ME. I once sang and played guitar at Rosey's Boathouse in Kaneohe, and this album is a compilation of my original songs. The title tune More Hawaiian Than Me is really a true life tale of myself and my family but applies to all people. I believe all folk living in Hawaii should not feel inferior on the note of being Hawaiian. We're all Hawaiians, not to the extent of genes, but to the extent of the time and effort we exert in making this a better place which we love.
I added a few choruses, lyrics, and upbeat to a song in the album which was written by Harry Hamada over 60 years ago. It's called Go For Broke and is the traditional theme song for the 100th/442nd infantry. Its the best I could do to pay tribute to these Hawaii men who gave their lives for our freedom and racial equality, and boy did they give up lives back then. What touched me is that when they asked for 100 volunteers to fight to prove their loyalty, 10,000 men showed up and signed up the very next day. These japanese guys of Hawaii were so brave and tough they won 100% of all their battle assignments despite getting massively slaughtered. Now wouldn't you agree that nobody else can be more hawaiian than they?
More Hawaiian Than Me CD
HANAPUA (Hawaiian Hanafuda)
The Hawaiian Flower Card Game
THE LITTLEST PAHOEHOE
A Children's storybook
I drew this card deck one rainy night in Kaneohe when I was 27 years old. I just had the idea that the Japanese Hanafuda flower cards would be more popular in Hawaii if the flowers were more tropical. So I substituted hibiscus for roses, anthuriums for chrysanthemums, etc. By keeping it in the same artistic stroke and style, the deck would remain identifiable to those who appreciate the japanese version. It took me over 30 years to finally get it manufactured. I am overwhelmed by the response. What can I say? People love it.