The Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center dedicated its new library to Dr. John Kashiwabara during its annual New Year’s party on Feb. 8. Kashiwabara, who passed away in 2010, was a civic leader who supported many organizations in Long Beach. He was the first Japanese American to serve on the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners and also served on the California State University Board of Trustees. Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were (from left) Victor Fukuhara, Marty Isozaki, Victoria Chung (representing Long Beach 1st District Councilmember Lena Gonzales), Larry Inoshita, Diane Ishimoto, Wayde Farrell, Michelle Farrell, Connor Farrell, Annette Isozaki, Logan Farrell, Marty Isozaki, and Amy Tsubokawa, LBJCC president.
A 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team helmet is among the artifacts on display. The library is devoted to works on Japanese and Japanese Americans.
Children folded cranes and wrote messages for a display titled “Kodomo no Tame ni” (For the Sake of the Children).
Photos by Richard Fukuhara