Memories

By Sally Ueoka Yoshina

It seems like a dream that I am an active participant in Father Sokyo’s legacy — the Paia Mantokuji Soto Mission — founded 100 years ago.

In 1903 in Japan, Sokyo had married Tomiyo Waki. In July 1904, he arrived alone in Hawaii and first settled in Aiea, Oahu. In November 1906, he moved to Paia, Maui.

Mother Tomiyo arrived in Paia in 1907 with their first-born, Norimoto.

On November 3, 1907, dedication of Father Sokyo’s Paia Mantokuji was held. The first temple building was moved to the present site and was completed in 1921.

Norimoto, the first son of the first priest of Paia Mantokuji was destined to succeed Father Sokyo as second priest. He studied for the priesthood at Komazawa University in Japan. He married Toshiko Kasama of Tokyo. He returned to Paia as Reverend Sokan with his new bride.

Sokan was a dual citizen, but having been educated in American schools, now as a bilingual priest, he was a great asset for “Otera no tame ni”.

As I was growing up with six brothers and three sisters, there was a strong unspoken rule of “Otera no tameni” instilled in us.

Brother Sokan had friends who were golf enthusiasts and as he became more and more interested in the game, Mother Tomiyo’s concern increased. In the public eye for “Otera no tameni”, a priest should not be spending so much time on the golf course. The era for “Everyone needs some recreation, even a priest whose livelihood depended on ministering to people” had not arrived yet. In later years, I heard Mother’s regret for having been so hard on Sokan.

In spite of their rigid Japanese upbringing in language and culture, Mother and Father integrated readily with their new environment. I clearly remember Mother greeting her Hawaiian neighbor with “Pehea Oi?” and Father call to Mother, “Wahine ya..

As we became more and more American and Hawaiian in our way of life — living off the ocean and land just like the Hawaiians was inevitable. My brothers became avid and great fishermen — spear fishing, line fishing and net fishing and completely enjoying the ocean which was our backyard. We kid sisters learned a lot about “kapapai” — surrounding a school of fish with a long net and splashing loudly to scare the fishes into the net. Sister Marion and I went on the canoe with brothers Robert and Henry — as they paddled we threw off the net to surround the fishes. I even learned how to mend a net while holding it at the opposite end of the mender — Robert.

Swimming and catching sand crabs and turtles, picking pipipi and opihi, wana, cowry shells — “walking rock by rock strengthened our legs” Robert said. Eating our catch after having it cooked was the best part! Such happy memories.

We were always told that turtles are sacred. Once when a turtle was found tangled in the net that had been set in the ocean overnight, it was untangled, given a swig of sake and sent back to sea. That image still remains vividly in my mind — alas! It was not yet the era of Quick-snap cameras.

Sokan’s wife, Nesan (later called Hondo Aunty) and Fukiyosan (Robert’s wife) joined our family when we were very young. They taught us a lot about etiquette, behavior and values. I’m forever grateful to them.

When I was a freshmen at UH, on my trip home for vacation, I related to Fukiyosan that a few of my friends were experimenting with cigarettes and I tried it once. She scolded me, “Don’t you know that habits are formed that way!”

Father Sokyo had long enjoyed smoking Bull Durham cigarettes Robert rolled for him. When the cancer scare was reported, he stopped – - – cold turkey!!

In our growing up days, we did not lack for disciplinarians. Once, third brother Noriyuki (who was already a teacher) heard me utter “Shut up!” to Mother. I’ll never forget the instant whack that followed. That put an end to my disrespectful utterances!

When fifth brother Henry was hospitalized in December 1941 with a skull injury, second sister Marion and I were “chosen” to sit with him at the hospital on alternate days. Marion was a senior in high school and I a freshman. Henry’s wife, Yaechan, had recently given birth and Marion and I were the only ones available. After one day of trying to cope with his delirious actions, I told the family I would not go back again. Brother Robert set me straight, “When the need arises, everyone helps!!” I was a regular “nurse” after that.

I’ll always remember the chicken hekka dinners we often had in the ohiroma (room in the old residence). Our brothers were the cooks and manned the hichirin and bragged about whose hekka tasted the best. It was such a fun time.

Brother Sokan was interned during the war. His son, Roy, the youngest of six, was only 6 months old when they last saw each other. It was decided that Toshiko Nesan would remain at home in Paia with the children. Everyone took very special care of Sokan’s family.

During the war, when our temple and Sunday School was shut down, we started attending the nearby Chinese Christian church. Marion was assistant to Miss Rosabelle Lee. When questioned why? Father Sokyo’s explanation was “No church will teach anything that’s wrong.” To this day, I am thankful for his broad-minded philosophy.

After a year at UH, I joined sixth brother Meyer in Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska and I at the Nebraska Wesleyan University, a Methodist institution. I realized how fortunate I was to have been exposed to Father Sokyo’s philosophy. I hung on to my Buddhist teachings while learning the ways of new friends of another religious faith.

Being Americans, we always decorated a Christmas tree for our family gatherings. Someone questioned Robert why? A Buddhist priest’s family? Mother’s answer was “Kodomo no tame ni” anything that will add to the joy of the children.

Throughout the years we have enjoyed a close-knit Ueoka family ohana. We are truly grateful to our brothers and their wives, sisters and their husbands and their families who have contributed to our joys. I am confident that the steadfast philosophy of Sokyo Ojiichan and Tomiyo Obaachan will help us to perpetuate “Otera no tameni” and “Kodomo no tameni” forever.

As we celebrate the centennial of Paia Mantokuji Soto Mission, the family and ohana of the Ueokas thank you form the bottom of our hearts — members and friends — for your unshaking support for 100 years.

Sally Ueoka Yoshina is a daughter of the late Reverend Sokyo Ueoka, the founder of Mantokuji.