Japan will honor two Hawai'i men
By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Japanese government will honor Kenneth Takao Saiki, former president of the United Japanese Society of Hawai'i; and Katsugo Miho, a retired judge and former Hawai'i state legislator, for their contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States.
Saiki will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Saiki served in the U.S. Navy and in the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired at the rank of captain. He also served as vice president for communications at HONFED Bank in Honolulu and has been a leader with many Japan-related organizations, such as the United Japanese Society of Hawai'i, Honolulu Hiroshima Kenjinkai, Hawai'i Ehime Maru Association and Hawai'i Meiji Kai.
Saiki was president of the United Japanese Society of Hawai'i when the Navy's USS Greeneville attack submarine crashed into the Ehime Maru, a Japanese fishing training vessel, in 2001.
Saiki traveled to Ehime Prefecture with other representatives from Hawai'i to offer condolences to family members of fatalities and to deliver funds to officials in Uwajima.
Since the Ehime Maru Memorial was erected at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park in 2002, Saiki has coordinated the weekly cleaning and maintenance of the memorial by various community groups, schools and individuals.
Miho will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.
He was a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. In 1959, he was elected to the first of five terms in the state House of Representatives. He was then appointed as a District Family Court Judge.
From 1962 to 1987, Miho served as chairman of nine Japan Goodwill Sumo Tournaments in Hawai'i sponsored by the 442nd Veterans Club.
Miho also served as co-chairman of the Japan Hawai'i High School Goodwill and Friendship baseball series from 1957 to 1995.
Miho is a past president of the 442nd Veterans Club of Honolulu, and serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation.
Reach Dan Nakaso at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.
