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BIOGRAPHICAL SUMMARY: Masayoshi Wakai Masayoshi Wakai was born in Bingo, Hiroshima-ken, Japan, in 1916. He is the oldest of seven children born to Henry Gengo and Ryu Wakai. He, his sister Mary, and parents arrived in Hawai‘i in 1921. His father taught at Japanese-language schools on Kaua‘i and established the Japanese Congregational Church in Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i. Masayoshi Wakai, a student at Kapa‘a Grammar School and Kaua‘i High School, graduated in 1935. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Hawai‘i in 1939. He enrolled at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. While still a student there, he received news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. From April to September 1942, he was held at Tanforan, a race track converted to a camp for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. There, he received his diploma. In September 1942, he was incarcerated at Topaz War Relocation Center. At this camp, he was ordained a minister. About a year later, with the sponsorship of Dr. Albert W. Palmer, president of Chicago Theological Seminary and former minister at Central Union Church in Honolulu, Masayoshi Wakai gained his release. He went to Chicago where he was at seminary, taught Japanese language, worked for the YMCA, and counseled youths. He married Helen Miyoshi in 1945. Returning to Hawai‘i in 1946, he has been a minister, counselor, educational specialist, and missionary/teacher (in Japan). He and his wife, Helen, raised two sons. 229 230 Tape Nos. 55-39-1-10 and 55-40-1-10 ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW with Masayoshi Wakai (MW) December 13, 2010