Posted on: Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Ambassador visits Ehime Maru Memorial
By Anna Weaver
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Japanese ambassador to the United States said he was happy to be able to pay his respects at the Ehime Maru Memorial yesterday, three and a half years after the maritime accident that took nine Japanese lives.
Andrew Shimabuku • The Honolulu Advertiser Kato had just arrived on his first visit to Hawai'i since becoming ambassador in 2001.
"I just decided to come from the airport and pay my respects to the site and to express my regards," he said. "It's a very soothing atmosphere and very (well) taken care of."
The Ehime Maru, a boat belonging to the Uwajima Fisheries High School, sank nine miles south of Diamond Head on Feb. 9, 2001, after the Navy submarine USS Greeneville surfaced beneath it. Nine people aboard the Ehime Maru died, including four high school students.
The $65,000 Ehime Maru Memorial was dedicated a year later. It is made of nine sloping granite blocks and one of the ship's anchors. The blocks are engraved with the names of the victims, a map of the accident site and the ship's outline. The anchor's nine chain links represent the nine victims.
Earl Okawa, president of the Ehime Maru Association, said Kato would be the keynote speaker at the Japan-America Society of Hawaii's annual dinner today at the Sheraton Waikiki.
He is also scheduled to meet with Gov. Linda Lingle today and speak at the Japanese American Citizens League national convention tomorrow.
Reach Anna Weaver at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.
Speaking before a handful of people, Ambassador Ryozo Kato and his wife, Hanayo, laid a wreath of yellow and white flowers and bowed at the memorial on a grassy hill at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, overlooking the ocean.
Japanese Consul General Masatoshi Muto, left, Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato and Japan-America Society of Hawaii President Earl Okawa laid a floral arrangement at the Ehime Maru Memorial yesterday at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park.
