MEMORIAL TO THE JAPANESE FISHING VILLAGE ON TERMINAL ISLAND

The Terminal Island Japanese Fishermen Village Memorial is to honor the Isseis (immigrants from Japan) for their vital contributions to the U.S. fishing industry; and to preserve the memory of their once thriving Japanese Fishing Village, which no longer exists today.

These Issei fishermen and their wives from Japan, started settling on Terminal Island from around the turn of the century. They rented the canneries-owned barrack-type housing, near the canneries located around the Fish Harbor at Terminal Island. The Fishing Village grew to approximately 3,000 persons, the men involved in the fishing industry and supporting businesses; and most of the women working in the canneries (filleting and preparing fishes for canning). These people started their families and with their children, participated in school, community, sports and cultural activities and attended Christian or Buddhist churches. This community was the same as any other in the United States, with its supporting businesses and organizations, except almost all of the residents were of Japanese ancestry. Today, it would be called a “Ghetto”, but it was home to them. With neighbors and friends looking out for each other, not one person was on Welfare. Even without a police station, no real crime was ever committed, so no one locked his or her doors. It was an extremely safe place to live.

Prior to World War II, the Japanese were the largest group of ethnic fishermen in the Los Angeles Harbor, comprising a third of the total, and were vital to the growth of this industry on the West Coast. They brought Japanese fishing techniques to the U.S. and taught others. Catching sardines, tuna, mackerel, albacore and other fishes, these fishermen brought substantial wealth to this area. Their children went to East San Pedro Elementary School (renamed Mildred Obarr Walizer Elementary School for their beloved first principal) in Terminal Island, then upon graduation crossed the channel by ferryboat to San Pedro and walked to Richard Henry Dana Jr. High School and subsequently to San Pedro High School. After graduation, a significant number matriculated to colleges, some sons followed in their father’s footsteps as fishermen and others went into other professions.

It was a happy time for them as the economy of the United States was rising from the Depression and the fishing industry was booming. Then, the sudden bombing of Pearl Harbor turned the world of the Japanese Americans upside down and, in particular, the Terminal Islanders. The immigrant fishermen were immediately barred from going to sea and subsequently arrested and jailed without due process of law. It was a tragic situation for many families as they had lost their primary wage earner, still the U.S. Government would not help those that they made indigent. Once their savings were gone, only through the help of their relatives, their friends, the Buddhist and Christian churches and the Quakers were they able to subsist.

Then, they were dealt another blow with the issuance of Presidential Executive Order 9066. On February 26, 1942, the military ordered the immediate removal of all persons of Japanese ancestry (including U.S. citizens) from Terminal Island within 48 hours. We were the first Japanese Americans to be removed in masse. It was a tremendously panicky situation, with everyone trying to get any roof over their heads through friends or religious organizations. Inexperienced wives headed most households, as their husbands were imprisoned. Those without automobiles had to get help from friends, who themselves were struggling to evacuate, or from churches, farmers and produce firms who provided trucks and help. The tragedy of human suffering is always compounded by human “vultures” that take advantage of other’s misfortune. When the news of the removal was heard, people appeared from everywhere to scavenge everything from these poor victims. Prices offered were outrageous at best and tragic at least. Some were so upset, they destroyed what they could not take with them rather than let these people have it. Some of the scavengers stole goods when the families were busy packing and not looking. It was an unbelievable and sad episode and to this day, many hold bitter memories of that time.

Subsequently, Lt. General John L. DeWitt, commander of the Sixth Army, ordered all persons of Japanese ancestry on the Pacific Coast into Concentration Camps. Most of the Terminal Islanders, now scattered throughout the Los Angeles area, requested to be sent to the Manzanar Concentration Camp, so once again they were with their Terminal Island friends. While incarcerated, the Military took over Terminal Island and destroyed all of their homes. At the War’s end, when they were finally allowed to come back, the Terminal Islanders could not return to their home. Their community, as they had known it, had disappeared.

Almost all of the Isseis are no longer with us, but their children have formed an organization named “Terminal Islanders” with about 500 members and they continue to meet annually for a New Year’s party and for a summer picnic. Their common experience and tragedy have created a special bond among these Terminal Islanders. This Memorial will tell everyone about the existence of the once flourishing Japanese Fishing Village on Terminal Is land and its contribution to the U.S. fishing industry.