Shimeji Ryusaki Kanazawa

Shimeji "Shim" Ryusaki Kanazawa (December 29, 1915 –April 7, 2014) worked as a liaison to the Japanese community for the Swedish Consulate General after the Japanese Consulate General in Hawaiʻi shut down during World War II. She was called the "Florence Nightingale of Hawaii."[1]

Shimeji Ryusaki Kanazawa
BornDecember 29, 1915
Kamuela, Hawaiʻi
DiedApril 7, 2014
EducationHonorary Doctor of Humane Letters, UH Manoa
AwardsGeorge Washington Honor Medal, American Red Cross, UH Manoa Serving Heart Award

Early life

Kanazawa was the first of eleven children born to Torazo and Saki Ryusaki. She grew up on her family's farm in Kamuela, Hawaiʻi. In addition to growing vegetables, the farm also raised pigs and chickens, and made products such as tofu and okolehao, or Hawaiʻian moonshine. After graduating from Hilo High School, Kanazawa worked as a stenographer for the Department of Public Instruction, and was then promoted to the Vocational Division of the Department in Honolulu. Afterwards, she became Secretary and Acting Principal at Kohala Elementary and High School.

World War II

After the onset of World War II, the Japanese Consulate in Hawaii was closed and its duties were taken over by the Swedish Consulate. Gustaf Olson, the Vice Consul of Sweden, hired Kanazawa as an Executive Vice Secretary to mediate between the military government and the Japanese community in Hawaiʻi.[2] Kanazawa not only performed official duties such as inspecting ships with Japanese prisoners of war to ensure humane treatment in accordance with international law, but performed many unofficial duties such as assisting wives of interned husbands in finding jobs, purchasing food and clothing for families in need, and accompanying families to internment camps to visit their sons and fathers. Many nicknamed her the "Florence Nightingale of Hawaiʻi" due to her actions.[3] After the end of the war, she was awarded the American Red Cross for her humanitarian services.[4]

Post-war

After the war, Kanazawa met Kinji Kanazawa, who would shortly become her husband. After the two married they moved to Boston, where Kinji enrolled in the law program at Boston College and Kanazawa enrolled in the Chamberlain School of Retailing. Afterwards, the couple and their two children moved back to Hawaiʻi.[5] In addition to raising her family, Kanazawa continued her work in helping the less fortunate and vulnerable. She served on many boards and commissions, including the Commission on Children and Youth which established the foundations of Hawaiʻi's Family Court, the Commission on Aging, the Planned Giving for Campaign 2000, the Faith in Action National Advisory Committee, the Hawaiʻi Summit 2011 Project, and the White House Conference on Aging. She founded and chaired Project Dana, a volunteer organization that provides free care for the elderly.

References
  1. Fujimori, Leila (April 19, 2014). "Shimeji Ryusaki Kanazawa :1915-2014". obits.staradvertiser.com. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  2. 1932-2006., Stone, Scott C. S. (2002). Living legacy : outstanding Japanese women of the 20th century in Hawaiʻi. Japanese Women's Society of Honolulu. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi: Japanese Women's Society Foundation. ISBN 0896101746. OCLC 51809509.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. Buckingham, Dee (2010-07-21). "Shimeji Ryusaki Kanazawa: Deemed "Florence Nightingale of Hawaii" for WWII Actions". Hawaii Reporter. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
  4. S., Stone, Scott C. (2000). Living treasures of Hawaiʻi : 25th anniversary of the selections of outstanding persons as honored by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi. Hawai Honpa Honganji (Honolulu, Hawaii) (1st ed.). Honolulu, Hawaiʻi: Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaiʻi. ISBN 0896103161. OCLC 45695284.
  5. "Shimeji Kanazawa | Densho Encyclopedia". encyclopedia.densho.org. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
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