STAR-BULLETIN / 1998 Kiyoshi Okubo, who founded the Hawaii Shima Japanese Immigration Museum on the Big Island, died Monday at 96.

‘Living Treasure’ held
many talents

KIYOSHI OKUBO / 1905-2001

SEE ALSO: OBITUARIES

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By Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.com

Big Island reporter, publisher, radio commentator, teacher and museum curator Kiyoshi Okubo died Monday. He was 96.

"He was deeply concerned for the good of the community, and he sacrificed a lot of his time to help the community in various ways," said friend Richard Taniguchi. "He did it from his heart.

"I think we lost a great man, because he thought about the community so much."

Okubo got his start as a newspaper reporter for the Hawaii Shimpo, Kona Echo and Denpo Japanese-language newspapers.

He then went on to serve as Hilo branch manager of the Hawaii Hochi from 1936 to 1951 before he became editor and publisher of his own Hilo Times, from 1955 to 1991.

Despite his advanced years, Okubo continued to be active as a community leader. He had a popular Japanese-language Sunday morning radio commentary on station KIPA, where he voiced his views until a few weeks ago.

Radio announcer Lillian O'Connor said Okubo was a "very sharp man at his age."

"He tells it as it is," said Herb Segawa, a former state senator, who recalled Okubo as a reporter. "He was very outspoken and he was very opinionated, too," he said, adding that he had a distinctive, commanding voice on the radio.

The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii (Big Island) had selected Okubo to receive its first "Living Treasure" award, which was to be bestowed upon him Jan. 13.

Okubo had amassed a personal collection of Japanese immigration memorabilia, historical artifacts, newspaper clippings, photographs and writings from 1936 to 1975. They are now held in the Hawaii Shima Immigrant Japanese Museum, which he founded.

Born in Niigata, Japan, Okubo came to Hawaii in 1924 at age 19. He attended Iolani School for two years, where he learned to speak English. He had graduated from Seijo First Senior High School in Tokyo.

Okubo taught at Japanese-language schools and headed the Japanese department of radio station KHBC in 1936.

Emperor Akihito awarded Okubo the Order of Rising Sun Gold Rays with Rosette, 4th class, award in 1989 for his contributions to the local Japanese community.

Okubo is survived by daughter Karen of California. His wife, Chiyeno, died three years ago, and son Gerald died in 1964.

Services are private.