Primary sources

This article details the testimonies of Japanese Americans from Hawaii during the Commission for Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC) hearings. The testimonies highlight that Japanese Americans in Hawaii were not incarcerated to the same extent as on the continent, despite their large numbers and closer proximity to Japan. They remained free to keep working in agriculture, illustrating that the real reason for the wider  incarceration was racism, not security. Those opposing redress also testified.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 43, Folder 7, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library. 

Seven months after the CWRIC issued its report recommending monetary redress, this political cartoon uses the visual metaphor of a stain on the American flag to represent the incarceration of Japanese Americans during the war and questions if money will erase the stain.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 54 Folder 2, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In this speech, Senator Matsunaga draws attention to the ongoing discrimination against Asian Americans used as scapegoats during tense trade relations with Japan. He asks that the LA Times article by David Smollar detailing the physical and verbal violence against Asian Americans be included in the congressional record. Smollar’s article highlights the beating death of Chinese American Vincent Chin, mistaken for Japanese, by two Detroit autoworkers. The killers received no jail time. 

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 45, Folder 2, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

The American Jewish Committee’s press release indicates its endorsement of the CWRIC recommendation for financial compensation. The organization formally passed a resolution urging Congress to enact appropriate legislation to address what is “a national disgrace.” The press release explains the group’s reasoning and cites its commitment to combat bigotry and protect civil and religious rights to improve human relations. The American Jewish Committee was one of many ethnic and cultural groups that supported redress.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 45, Folder 3, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

Also called the Civil Liberties Act of 1984, H.R. 4110 was introduced in the House of  Representatives by House Majority Leader Jim Wright (D-TX). It called for the implementation of the CWRIC recommendations. The JACL gathered individual signatures to show support for the legislation and encouraged people to also write their representatives. Though hearings were held on September 12, 1984 in the Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations, the bill did not move forward.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files,  Box 42, Folder 4, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library. 

The County of Hawaii passed Resolution No. 378-87 formally supporting S. 1009 which sought to accept the CWRIC findings and implement its recommendations. The resolution “recognizes that the relocation and internment of Japanese Americans is a grave injustice and urges a unanimous consent agreement by the United States Senate on S. 1009.” Copies of the resolution were sent to President Ronald Reagan and congressional leaders. 

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 44, Folder 7, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

Gene H. Doi, deputy clerk for DeKalb County, GA became very active in lobbying for redress. Notably, she persuaded influential Republican House member Pat Swindall to support H.R. 442. Her letter to Senator Matsunaga expresses her appreciation for his work on S. 1009 and shares her own efforts. 

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 54, Folder 3, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

The American Psychological Association was one of many professional organizations to support redress. The association wrote Senators who were not cosponsors of S. 1009, urging them to support the legislation. In the letter, the organization’s division on ethnic minority issues highlights the ongoing psychological trauma suffered by those incarcerated, arguing that words and regret alone are not adequate, but that redress was also needed to “remediate the damage that was done and renew our national commitment to the ideals of liberty, justice, and basic human rights.” 

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 54, Folder 2, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

In this Washington Post opinion piece, long-time opponent to redress, Ken Masugi, whose parents were incarcerated, argues against redress legislation. Disagreeing with the CWRIC report, he states that the government’s actions against Japanese Americans during the war were warranted, whereas the proposed apology and monetary payments are not.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 52, Folder 2, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

Republican Representative Helen Delich Bentley argues in this opinion piece that redress to Japanese Americans is unwarranted unless those who suffered imprisonment and worse from the Japanese government during the war also receive redress. She posits fundamental differences between a Christian West and non-Christian Asia.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 52, Folder 2, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library. 

A woman who was incarcerated with her family, writes to congratulate Senator Matsunaga on the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. She expresses her deep gratitude for his persistent efforts, noting that although her grandmother and mother are deceased, she and her sister “will accept this appropriate and long overdue apology on their behalf, knowing that this can never happen again.”

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 44, Folder 7, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library. 

A son of incarcerated citizens writes Senator Matsunaga to thank him for his efforts in achieving redress. He notes that for the older generation of Japanese Americans, the apology is more important than the monetary payment and that correcting a mistake can prevent future similar abuses toward other ethnic groups.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 55, Folder 1, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

California high school student, who has been an active supporter of redress, thanks Senator Matsunaga for his advocacy for redress. Writing on the “eve of our very triumphant victory,” she anticipates the day her 96-year-old great grandmother will receive her apology and payment.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 55, Folder 1, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.

A large (8.75 x 90 inches) handwritten sign congratulating Senator Matsunaga on the passage of S.1009 that called for redress. The "69-27" refers to the senate vote with 69 in favor and 27 opposed. The bold and underlining of "69" illustrates the strong support and success of the legislation. H.R. 442 was the accompanying House legislation that was signed into law by Ronald Reagan to create the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.

Senator Spark M. Matsunaga Papers. Senate, Subject files, Box 49, Hawaiʻi Congressional Papers Collection, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library.