#2-Segregation....In, Hawaii? WW2?

Unfortunately, to my disappointment the previous book I had chosen, The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963 had been too easy of a read. Although the central idea of the book was intriguing, the story was just not enough of a challenge to go through and enjoy. Therefore I have chosen the book, Eyes of The Emperor to journey though instead. Written by Graham Salisbury, the book takes place in WWII era in Hawaii. Once can guess that of course Pearl Harbor will play a role in the story line, but enough of the general information, let’s delve into what I perceived through the first section.

                The setting of the book was clearly established early throughout the story. It was in the early 1900’s, 1920’s to be exact, in Hawaii. Right off the bat, the reader is introduced with the situation Japan had, and was facing. Japan was basically invading territory that was not theirs to step on, from Manchuria to Cambodia and Thailand. U.S. was getting irked by these actions and it was clear that the smallest push would spark a huge conflict.

                We see that the narrator, who is also known as Eddy Okubo, is the older brother of the family. He is the proud, solemn, strong type with a soft side with a little brother named Herbie. Herbie is an amazing baseball player and both he and the narrator are Japanese Americans that reside in Hawaii with Ma and Pop. Pop, also known as Koji Okubo, is a driving force in the story so far. He is the proud immigrant of Japan and very hardcore in the way he honors his home, culture, every aspect of where his roots reside. A traditional man, he is all about honor, glory, and the likes. Under Pop’s wings is a 2 year Japanese immigrant named Bunichi, who is learning through apprenticeship. What apprenticeship you ask? The Okubo family are boat makers, and Pop has been carrying the business ever since he immigrated. The Okubo family business was known as the best boat makers in all of Hawaii and Pop prided himself in that. Of course I can’t forget to mention man’s best friends, Sharky and Opah. The dogs are sincere companions, with Opah the house mutt and Sharky as the raggedy canine who will not leave the narrator alone after having been fed scraps. The narrator has two older friends, who he respects and is fond of, Chik (Nick Matsumaru) and Cobra (Takeo Uehara). The two are enrolled in the Army and are part of Schofield Barracks.

               

                The story plot starts to heat up at the end of the first section, but in a brief overview: The Okubo family had made a boat, Hibiscus, which took 10 months of hard work. There are rising tensions towards the Japanese, it didn’t matter if they were residents of the U.S. Because this tension is a constant factor in the book, it’s easy to assume that when the Hibiscus burns in a “mysterious” explosion at night, the ones to blame are Haoles (white men). This event is ignored and life moves on. The narrator struggles to receive affection from his father, and is revving to prove his loyalties to America, and to show that he is just as much of a U.S. citizen as the next white man. Due to these, the narrator enrolls in the Army. Not approved by Pops, the narrator heads on to the Schofield Barracks where Chik and Cobra train. On a home leave pass after 7 weeks, the narrator experiences the bombing of Pearl Harbor and is caught amidst the chaos of the situation. With Chik and Cobra, the narrator heads back to camp to receive orders on what course of action needed to be taken.

               

                With this simple, yet intricate cast of characters, it was evident to me that there were four main conflicts. The obvious one would be that Japan has attacked Pearl Harbor and in turn will result in war. This war will inflict everyone on Hawaii and not just physically. Delving a bit deeper, underneath this attack, the problem of distrust and segregation is apparent. With the burning of the Hibiscus being the second Japanese boat to be destroyed, and others who just do not look at the narrator/Chik/Cobra as ordinary Americans. Like Jack who refused to give them all a ride to boot camp at first, and Lieutenant Sweet who ordered them to dig trenches and denied real action to be taken regarding the start of the war. Another main conflict would be the identity of the narrator, and how he struggles to pinpoint it. On one side he has his father who is an all out Japanese cultured, traditional influence. While on the other, is who the narrator feels he really is, a regular and true American. Going hand in hand with this dilemma, is the narrator’s constant desire for his father’s approval. He wants to defy him and show he is independent, yet has trouble doing so, and struggles with pleasing his father. His father is the type that is cold, unloving, distant, and callous.

                To my surprise, I actually really enjoy this book. It’s the first time in years that I read a IRB that appealed to me but this one suits me well. I was really irritated at how the boot camps were divided according to race. Even in Hawaii, regarding Asians, there was racism and segregation. The fact that the narrator’s father is the way he is disappointed me and every time I read a page where he would be brutally harsh, I wanted to yell at him. The group of characters seen in this first section seems “balanced” to me, and I approve of the feel they all give. Cobra and Chik for instance, contribute to a humorous aspect, while the narrator gives the serene, persevering, and strong essence. The way Salisbury portrayed the bombing of Pearl Harbor was neat, and detailed as well, I felt as if I was there myself and applaud his ability to fabricate such an atmosphere in his writing.

                As for what will happen next, I feel as if the incessant yells and disrespect given to the narrator, Cobra, and Chik by Lieutenant Sweet due to the fact that they are all Japanese will lead to an escalated argument and maybe even fight. The crew has to venture up into the dense mountain of trees to hunt down and kill invading Japanese troops who have parachuted down. When the crew go up to hunt, i think they will encounter the enemy Japanese and see how similar yet different they are from the native Japs. After this, the narrator’s sense of patriotism is going to overtake him and drive him to the front lines of the war, where he may succeed in bringing honor to his family and show his loyalty to America, or die.

                Stay tuned for the next section !

Reading Schedule:

1^st:  1-60 (1-11)

2^nd: 62-110 (12-22)

3^rd: 111-161 (23-33)

4^th: 162-222 (24-44)