Hawaii Hochi: A Century of Japanese American Journalism
For over a century, the Hawaii Hochi served as a vital voice for the Japanese immigrant community in Hawaiʻi. Founded on the principles of independence and advocacy, the publication evolved from a niche community newspaper into a historical record of the political and social struggles faced by Japanese Americans in the islands.
The Origins of the Hochi
The newspaper was established in 1912 by Frederick Kinzaburo Makino. Makino's motivation for starting the paper was rooted in his own experiences with labor activism; he had recently served a ten-month prison sentence for organizing a 1909 labor strike among sugarcane plantation workers. Frustrated by the lack of fair coverage regarding labor disputes in existing publications, Makino created the Hochi to provide a "non-party and independent" perspective on the challenges facing the community.
Despite early financial difficulties, the Hochi grew into a primary news source for political issues. It became a champion for the community, publicly supporting legislation to ease restrictions on Japanese language schools and advocating for the extension of citizenship rights for Asian Americans. The paper also supported a subsequent labor strike in 1920 and was one of the few publications to address racial inequality during the high-profile Massie Trial of 1932.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Evolution and Adaptation
As the community shifted, so did the newspaper. In 1925, the publication introduced an English section known as "the Bee"—named for its "sting"—to reach the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) who were not fluent in Japanese.
The onset of World War II brought significant challenges. Due to rising anti-Japanese sentiment, the paper was renamed the Hawaii Herald. While many other Japanese-language editors, such as Yasutaro Soga of the Nippu Jiji, were incarcerated during the war, Makino managed to avoid imprisonment. By 1952, the publication returned to its original name, the Hawaii Hochi.
Ownership and the Hawaii Herald
Following Makino's death in 1953, the paper was purchased in 1962 by Japanese newspaperman Konosuke Oishi. In 1969, Oishi launched a separate English-only sister publication called the Hawaii Herald. Although this English version was discontinued after four years, it was revived in 1980. The Hawaii Herald continued to operate alongside the Hochi for 43 years until its final print issue on December 1, 2023.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The End of an Era and a New Beginning
The decline in circulation mirrored broader demographic shifts. At its peak in the early 1990s, the Hawaii Hochi reached 9,000 readers. By 2009, that number had dropped to approximately 3,000, though the paper continued to reach its audience via mail. On December 7, 2023, the Hawaii Hochi published its final issue, ending its run as the last active Japanese-language semi-daily in the islands.
However, the legacy continues. In July 2024, the Hawaii Herald was relaunched as an online newspaper called The San Times. The new name is a tribute to the Sansei (third-generation Japanese Americans).
Key Facts
- Founded: 1912 by Frederick Kinzaburo Makino.
- Core Mission: To provide an independent, non-party perspective on Japanese American issues.
- Peak Circulation: 9,000 readers in the early 1990s.
- WWII Adaptation: Renamed the Hawaii Herald to combat anti-Japanese sentiment.
- Final Print Issues: Hawaii Herald (Dec 1, 2023) and Hawaii Hochi (Dec 7, 2023).
- Modern Successor: Relaunched in July 2024 as the online publication The San Times.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1912 | Hawaii Hochi is founded by Frederick Kinzaburo Makino. |
| 1925 | "The Bee" English section is introduced for Nisei readers. |
| WWII Era | Renamed Hawaii Herald due to anti-Japanese sentiment. |
| 1952 | Publication reverts to the name Hawaii Hochi. |
| 1962 | Konosuke Oishi purchases the newspaper. |
| 1969/1980 | Hawaii Herald launched as English sister paper (revived in 1980). |
| 2023 | Both the Hawaii Herald and Hawaii Hochi cease print publication. |
| 2024 | The San Times launches as an online successor. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Hawaii Hochi founded?
It was founded by Frederick Kinzaburo Makino in 1912 to provide an independent and non-party perspective on issues affecting Japanese immigrants in Hawaiʻi, particularly after Makino felt existing newspapers poorly covered labor disputes.
What was "the Bee"?
"The Bee" was an English-language section of the Hawaii Hochi introduced in 1925 to appeal to the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) who were not fluent in Japanese.
Why did the paper change its name during World War II?
The paper was renamed the Hawaii Herald to protect itself and its readers from the intense anti-Japanese sentiment prevalent during the war.
When did the print editions finally end?
The Hawaii Herald published its final issue on December 1, 2023, and the Hawaii Hochi published its final issue on December 7, 2023.
What is The San Times?
The San Times is the online relaunch of the Hawaii Herald, which debuted in July 2024. Its name is a reference to the Sansei (third-generation Japanese Americans).