EDWARD Nakamura and Robert H. Fukuda were contemporaries in pre-statehood Hawaii. Both attended UH in the early 1940s before going to war -- Nakamura with the 442nd Regiment, 522nd artillery battalion, and Fukuda in the Military Intelligence Service. Eulogizing the late,
great Ed NakamuraOn returning to the islands, both graduated from UH in 1948 and chose careers in law. They studied together for the bar and received their licenses on the same day in December 1951.
After that, their paths to distinction diverged. Nakamura became a labor lawyer, a UH regent and an associate justice on the Hawaii Supreme Court. Fukuda was a deputy attorney general in the territorial government, a representative in the first state Legislature and U.S. attorney from 1969 to 1973.
When Nakamura died last month, on Sept. 11 after heart surgery, Fukuda became reflective. "Our generation was so active in government, politics and the law, it is hard to accept that we may not be here much longer," said the 75-year-old Alewa Heights resident. "But we can truthfully say that we had a good day."
In tribute to his good friend, Eddie, Fukuda wrote a eulogy. It refers to the horror of World War II, soldiers coming home to start anew and going to battle again to establish the Democratic Party in a Republican-controlled town, and expresses his sadness that the "oldtimers" who did so much to build Hawaii are today passing away.
Fukuda's short but moving essay starts with the memory of his grandfather, as he lay on his death bed. It reads, in part:
"The old man's life was nearly done, as he called me to his side, to tell me why he came here, with many thousands more, and how they worked so hard and long so we could all belong.
"We went to war all young and eager, and came back home older and wiser, and now we saw it was our turn to labor hard and long, to change the world for all who will come later.
"And so we went to war again, this time with books and laws and pen, to help the weak and poor belong, the same as all the rich and strong, and as I sat in court one day, I thought I heard the justice say, 'Our people brought us to this land, and we must leave it better than we find it.'
"I sat with those who once were children, laughing, running, playing, learning, who came together one last time for our friend, who did so much so we could all belong. But as I listened to the speakers, recalling battles lost and won, I saw that some were missing and some may soon be gone.
"Farewell, dear friend, for all the people of this land. Your memory is so dear."
ED Nakamura was a great man. He was one of many great men and women who tried to make Hawaii the best it could be for those who followed. It all started, of course, with those intrepid immigrants many of us are proud to call our ancestors.
Bob Fukuda wrote about his friend's death because he wanted to express his sadness at the near-end of an era. As a sansei, I also feel overwhelming sadness -- but for a far different reason.
These men and women had it so hard compared to us Baby Boomers and Generation Xers. They fought in a war while their patriotism was questioned. They came home and changed a system that seemed unchangeable. And they shaped and molded Hawaii with the best of intentions.
What will be our legacy?