Posted on: Wednesday, July 7, 2004
442nd vet James Miyake, education administrator, dead at 82
By Anna Weaver
Advertiser Staff Writer
James Sueto Miyake, a 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran and a retired federal and state education administrator, died July 1 in his hometown of Koloa, Kaua'i. He was 82.
Miyake served in Thailand for eight years, beginning in 1959, as the U.S. State Department's executive director of the Educational Commission, overseeing Fulbright Scholarship selection.
Because of his work there, the king of Thailand awarded him the Order of the White Elephant for "distinguished service to the community." One of Miyake's last requests was granted two years ago when he and his family traveled to Thailand for three weeks.
"He was a gentle, intelligent man with a fierce spirit," said his son, Garrett Miyake. "I think he'll also be remembered for being truly compassionate and understanding. A lot of people confided in him."
Miyake, who was born on Sept. 18, 1922, served with other young Japanese Americans as a Varsity Victory Volunteer before the Army formed the 442nd, the highly decorated unit that fought in Europe. After World War II, Miyake earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in counseling from Springfield College in Massachusetts through the GI Bill.
In 1950, he began working at the University of Hawai'i's counseling center, eventually becoming the foreign students adviser.
He was the sole U.S. delegate to a UNESCO conference in Burma in 1952. He also established a summer orientation program for graduate students from Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea before sending them to Mainland universities on Fulbrights. For his work with foreign students, the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council of Hawai'i awarded him the Pacific House Citation.
After returning from Thailand in 1967, Miyake was appointed by Gov. John A. Burns to establish what was later called the Hawai'i International and Service Agency. He also served as the cultural affairs officer for the State Department and as administrator in the Hawai'i Department of Education's Office of Library Services before retiring in 1983.
Among other things, Miyake spent his retirement years serving on the 442 Board of Directors, where he was also an adviser to the Sons and Daughters Chapter, and playing in the 442 Tuesday Ukulele Club.
In addition to his son, Garrett, Miyake is survived by his wife of 58 years, Martha; daughter, Christine Jones; brothers Paul and Raymond; a granddaughter; and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation begins at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.
Reach Anna Weaver at aweaver@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2455.
