Our roots go quite deep in Pahala because that's where our family began. The early and middle 1930's were really trying years for people
in Kona. Coffee prices were so low it wasn't worth the effort to work the fields and produce coffee. The crucial problem of the time was the
survival of the coffee farmers - how to survive without any income. Three of my schoolmates who just graduated from Konawaena found jobs at
Pahala Plantation as carpenter helper, cane-weighing station clerk, and a sugar bagger at the mill. One of them was a particularly good friend
of mine. Knowing our parents' financial problems were quite desperate, he suggested that my elder brothers try and get jobs at Pahala.
I suggested this idea to my father but he was reluctant to have them leave Kona since my eldest brother worked 2 days a week for the County
at $3.00 a day and the other brother worked for another family with no male children for $15.00 a month plus room and board. Their combined
income was enough to sustain the family. He also suggested I leave school and start working to help out. This suggestion shocked me and made me
realize the reality of the situation - ten people surviving on about $40.00 a month or $4.00 per person!
Inspite of all my future plans and ambitions, I knew I could not ignore the situation. I had to pitch in and help because we were family and the
family was in trouble. I consulted Judge Thompson with the idea of leaving school after graduation from the junior year and working at Pahala Plantation.
He was saddened with the circumstances but proud of the fact that I realized my responsibility. He suggested he call his friend, Senator James Campsie,
manager of Pahala Plantation, to see if he could help. It so happened that the office was looking for a clerk good in mathematics to assist the Paymaster
to work on the monthly payroll.
Armed with a letter from the Principal of Konawaena that I taught a class in mathematics one hour each day during my junior year and assisted the
cafeteria manager to complete her monthly financial and inventory statements for a year and after a lengthy interview with the Head Bookkeeper and
Manager, I got the job to start within 2 weeks at $50.00 a month. I also was promised living quarters, free firewood for furo, free sugar, and many other
prerequisites such as free medical care and medication.
In time I was invited to become a PTA member and served as president for 2 terms. I also was asked by the plantation to check into the matter of
converting the Filipino Methodist Church to a Community Church open to all races and serving the whole community. I became a Lay Leader, Sunday
School Supt., and Treasurer.
We successfully became a community church before the war and doubled its membership in a few months. We were very active in spiritual guidance and
morale work during the war. Our Pastor was called to work with the Oahu Filipino community and members of the armed forces of Filipino descent. I
became its interim pastor for about a year before a replacement arrived.
Your mother served as Den Mother for Cub Scouts for many years, meeting on our front porch and yard. I think this got you started on your way to
become an Eagle Scout.
Both you and Eddie were born in Pahala. I believe the above are your roots in Pahala.
- Isao Sato, in a letter to James Sato, Sept. 18, 2001
"...The Holualoa Japanese cemetery, now the resting place of my father’s brother, Mitsugi, a casualty of the second World War, in the
war and afterwards, has a safer walkway. But reaching his site requires careful steps upon loosely cemented lava rock. The monument is a
standard-issued military grey granite. It notes his name, birth and death dates, and that he was a Private. I really don’t know if anyone
visits the site anymore... About a year ago, my granddaughter wrote a touching essay “American Honor” about Mitsugi-- a gentle hero, who
was moved to volunteer; wounded in combat, he returned after the war. There are heroes in our narratives and his part of the continuing legacy--
of the modest Kona boy, a war hero, who now lives in memory only except perhaps, in the sight of God."
- James Sato (Jordyn's grandpa), December 2014
"American Honor"
"Your uncle was a very strong man and people naturally liked him", was one of the important things that my grandpa and Uncle Edwin said
about my Uncle Edward Mitsugi Sato. He was one of the 14,000 men who served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. My family has
remembered him as a man who was strong, brave, quiet, and kind. He lived on the Big Island in Hawaii for the longest time until World War 2 when everything changed.
Edward Mitsugi Sato lived on a plantation with his family in Kona, Hawaii where they farmed coffee beans for a living. Edward's dad was a
teacher at a sugar plantation and he believed in the U.S. Constitution and democracy. Edward's dad came to America because he was the third
son to be born in his family. It is Japanese tradition that the first male child should get all the inheritance from the parents once they have
passed on. Since Edward's dad was a teacher, he taught his children. He taught Edward, his siblings, and others about the United States Constitution
and democracy and how important it is to us. When World War 2 arrived, it was an order that all people of Japanese descent were to leave their homes
and report to internment camps. Edward and his family lived in Hawaii, so the terms were different. Instead of all people of Japanese descent, all
the people who could influence a rebellion were to go to these internment camps, such as teachers. When the government interviewed people about
Edward's dad, they said he was as loyal as an American could be because he believed in the U.S. Constitution and democracy. Then, the U.S.
government asked for army volunteers.
On March 18, 1943, Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was automatically put in the 100th Battalion, Company C which would eventually merge
with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He was now one of 14,000 Japanese-American men who would fight for the United States during
World War 2. Little did Edward know that what was in store for him could be deadly. Edward fought at Monte Cassino. He was one of the
many who would block ways for Company A to go in and take on the Germans. He helped make a pathway for the other soldiers, and, through
that war, earned the Combat Infantryman Badge. This would be one of his first of many medals. Edward was then put into another battle.
He was traveling through the woods with his company when they started to take enemy fire. The woods had trees without leaves, so they were
just branches with sharp points. Some of those branches that were blown off were aimed to kill. He was hit in the back and then his side. He
couldn't take anymore pain and misfortune, so he stayed in a foxhole, waiting for the army to come back and take him to safety. Three days
passed and Edward finally got out of the foxhole with maggots in his wounds. Some say that, "Without those maggots, you might be dead".
He recovered later and received the Purple Heart. In the end he ended up with 2 more awards for fighting hard and earned the Distinguished
Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster.
When Edward came home, he had great stories to tell. He also had many medals and badges to show off, like his Distinguished Unit Badge, Purple
Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge. Each one had a story, and each one was earned through tears, hard-work, and bravery. Not only had he brought home
a bunch of new shiny medals, but he had finally proven that being a Japanese-American, he could and would fight for what he thought was right.
Although I never met my Great Uncle Edward, he has influenced me greatly. He showed me how important a family name is, so we should not bring shame
to it, no matter what other people will think about it. Even though Edward and his family didn't get put into the internment camps, they still fought for what
they thought was right. People had always thought he was quiet, strong, and most importantly, hard-working, but I think that my Great Uncle Edward is a
role-model to not just me, but to others as well because he was loyal, he believed in democracy, and the Constitution.
- Jordyn Sato (8th Grade), March 2013
Edward Mitsugi Sato - 442nd Regiment, 100th Battalion, Company C
Purple Heart, Distinguished Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Combat Infantry Badge
On Sunday, June 30, 2013, Auntie Christine organized our second annual family picnic. We all thought it was going to be unbearably hot,
but instead we found ourselves enjoying the weather (warm as it was with a slight breeze). We had a great turn out with Uncle Ford, Auntie
Pat, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Deanna, Uncle Jeff, Karen (Leong), Gary, Keith, Karen (Lee), Daddy, Mommy, Uncle Joel, Auntie
Christine, me, Tyler, Connor, Melissa, Craig, Collin, and Curtis. Uncle Joel grilled burgers and hot dogs. Auntie Christine, in turn, took
the hot dogs and made her world famous slaw dogs for everyone to enjoy. Everyone else brought salads and desserts. It was great fun
seeing everybody and getting to sit down and catch up.
Picnic table with the salads (and potato chips).
Daddy, Auntie Christine, Uncle Keith, and Auntie Karen.
A week before our annual family picnic, Cousins Lance, Vicki, Kristen, and Kimberlynn visited from Utah. Even better, Cousin Leanna's daughter
Megan and her boyfriend Jon joined us. Whenever Lance comes out we always try to get together for at least a family dinner. In the end, we always
find ourselves at Kirin in San Francisco (great food). Usually, we have a table of family members who can make it out. This time there was over 30
in attendance! It's the most we've ever had together without there being a holiday involved. Afterward, we all headed over to Auntie Pat's and Uncle
Ford's for dessert. We all caught up and even looked at some old photographs preserved on Uncle Ford's computer (some over 70 years old).
These get-togethers are few and far between it seems, but we really relish the opportunity to see one another even if it's just for a little while.
Who's this?
It's my buddy, Connor!
Catching up.
Saying, "Hello!" to Megan and Jon.
Everybody seated ready to dig in.
First table.
Second table.
Third table.
Family Reunion Picnic 2016
Sunday, June 26, 2016 turned out to be a pretty nice day. We all feared it was going to be blazing hot, but got lucky when a nice summer breeze
helped keep the temperature down (a little). Joel, Christine, and Mason really pulled out all the stops with bbq sauce chicken and beef cooked to
perfection on the grill. Auntie Deanna brought corn on the cob, Auntie Pat and Uncle Ford brought fruit, and everyone else chipped in with sides,
snacks, salads, and sodas. This is the 5th year for this mid-year reunion. It's great to see everyone in one place and catch up. Hopefully, we can
continue this annual event every year!
This year's family reunion picnic fell on Sunday, June 25, 2017. There were a number of really hot days prior to our picnic so we were really afraid it was
going to be blazing. Fortunately, the weather, while warm, didn't really get too bad. This year's picnic was kind of disjointed. At the last minute Uncle
Jeff and Karen had to bow out, and Uncle Ford and Auntie Pat had to leave early. Then, if things couldn't be more out-of-whack, Ran, Jordyn, and Tyler
didn't show up until 1:30. Despite all the chaos, Joel, Christine, and Mason pulled out all the stops. They grilled chicken, tri-tip, and brats. Deb brought
mac salad and everyone else filled in with salads, fruits, and desserts. Despite not everyone being there at the same time, it was still nice to spend a little time together.
Due to a multitude of conflicts, the annual Bow Family Reunion Picnic was moved from the last Sunday in June to the last Saturday instead. This was great since
this meant just about everyone was able to attend. As always, there was a lot of food - Tri-tip, hot dogs, chicken (both grilled and fried), mac salad, fruits, dim
sum, and the list goes on. As has been the case in all our reunions, the weather was beautiful. Maybe a little warm, but much preferable to being cold. In the end,
everyone was able to catch up since our last get-together at Christmas.
On Saturday, June 29th everyone got together for the annual June Bow Picnic. As always, Joel and Christine pulled out all the stops with steak, chicken, brats, and hot dogs. Everyone else filled in
with salads, desserts, drinks, and, of course, clam dip. Unfortunately, Jordyn couldn't be there due to her summer internship at Northrop Grumman
in Redondo Beach, and Tyler was participating in something called the DANA (Dharma and Nembutsu Always) Retreat hosted by the College YBA at
the Mountain View Buddhist Temple where he was learning life and leadership skills. We still had a good turn out though, and everyone enjoyed catching up and eating food.
Usually, near the end of June, Joel and Christine coordinate the annual Bow Picnic. They always have chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs. The rest of the family brings salads, desserts, drinks, and
other assorted goodies. Well, due to the COVID-19 situation we couldn't have our reunion last year, and frankly it doesn't look too good for this year either. Despite it all, the elder Bows found a way
to get together for lunch now that things have eased up a little. Of course, they went to Kirin on Geary St. in San Francisco. I'm sure everyone wanted to make sure they supported one of their favorite
restaurants.
Grandpa, Uncle Ford, Grandma, Uncle Jeff, Auntie Deanna, and Auntie Pat (4/7/21).
9/18/21
The family hadn't gotten together in years. Probably the last big event was back in the summer of 2019 when Joel and Christine hosted the annual summer picnic in San Mateo. However, now that
everyone has been vaccinated and many of the public lock downs and restrictions have been lifted we were starting to feel the need to see one another. Cousins Keith and Karen came up with a great idea
to rent out a theater just for family so we could all see Shang-Chi. This was the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie with an Asian lead actor and cast. It follows other successful American made
movies with, primarily, all Asian casts that include Crazy Rich Asians, Mulan, and The Farewell. Ironically, Keith and Karen both came down with colds just prior to the screening. Despite feeling well
they still suffered from loss of voice (Karen) and an occasional cough. Out of an excess of caution both decided not to attend the movie. While we all certainly missed them we were still very happy to
see everyone else and really enjoyed spending time together again.
Everyone in the theater waiting for Shang-Chi to begin (9/19/21)!
