Executive Dow Constantine said during Friday’s dedication that “Mukai Way” should be a reminder of the contributions Japanese Americans made to the island in the years before World War II.
In August, the King County Council unanimously approved designating a half-mile section of 107th Avenue SW to honor the Mukai Family and the Japanese American immigrant community’s contributions to the island in the 20th century.
Joined by Councilmember Joe McDermott, Teresa Grover (B.D. Mukai’s great-granddaughter) and others on Friday, Constantine said “Mukai Way” should also serve as a reminder of the bigotry and discrimination Japanese Americans faced in the months and years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, specifically when many were forced into internment camps.
“Today’s ceremony to recognize the honorary road designation of Mukai Way is significant in so many ways,” Constantine said. “The Mukai family represents the ideals and values of the American dream. Given little resources, B.D. Mukai and his family worked hard, were innovators, and found success where few thought they could.
“Unfortunately, the story of the Mukai family and other Japanese Americans in the World War II era reminds us of the bigotry and discrimination people of color have faced throughout our country’s history,” he added. “We should never forget how stereotypes and fear rooted in our differences can result in the erosion of basic human rights. In King County, we welcome people of different cultures and traditions, as they are important components of the beautiful fabric that we call home. This was true during World War II, and it certainly remains important today.”
History of the Mukai Family
In 1910, B.D. (Denichiro) Mukai and his wife, Sato, moved to Vashon Island and began farming strawberries. From 1910 to 1926, the family leased land on the island to farm berries and established the Mukai Cold Process Fruit Barreling Plant. In 1926, they bought 40 acres of land at the center of the island in the name of their 15-year-old son, Masa Mukai. Japanese immigrants couldn’t own property in our state due to the Alien Land Law adopted by the Washington State Legislature in 1921, but as an American-born citizen, Masa could.
With the purchase of the farmland and the success of the cold process fruit barreling, the Mukai family built a large fruit barreling plant in 1927 to support their growing business. In 1928, the Mukais built a new home, which Kuni Mukai (B.D.’s second wife after Sato died in 1921) surrounded with a formal Japanese stroll garden.
The farm continued to prosper throughout the Great Depression, employing more than 400 workers each year to pack and ship 200 tons of strawberries. The farm featured a bunkhouse that housed 250 of the workers.
When B.D. retired in 1934 and returned to Japan, Masa Mukai took over the family business. In 1939, with anti-Japanese sentiment increasing throughout the U.S. and Washington, he changed the name of the business to Vashon Island Packing Company.
In 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which ordered the internment of Japanese immigrants and their descendants, regardless of American citizenship status or length of residence. The Mukai family fled Vashon Island for Dead Ox Flat in Oregon. While exiled there, Masa introduced row crops into what was then primarily cattle country. He raised seed for lettuce and other vegetables on 100 acres he purchased and invented his own harvester to catch flyaway seeds, making a successful living throughout the war.
During the war, Maurice Dunsford leased the entire Vashon farm and packing plant from the Mukai family. He operated the plant successfully throughout this period. Phillipe Baccaro, a labor contractor from Canada, sub-leased the house from Dunsford and farmed the land. Together, the two of them kept the Mukai enterprises fully operational and profitable throughout the war.
After World War II ended, the Mukai family returned to Vashon and Masa opened two more processing plants. One was in Ferndale, Wash., and the other in Forest Grove, Ore. In 1969, Masa sold the packing business.
The farm had several owners from the 1970s to the 1990s. In 1993, the house, garden and barreling plant, along with five acres remaining of the original 60, were designated a King County Landmark. In 1994, the site was included on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2000, Island Landmarks, a non-profit organization, purchased the Mukai House and Garden for historic preservation purposes, with the support of $500,000 of public funds from King County, the National Park Service, and the State of Washington.
In 2016, board members of Island Landmarks, known today as “Friends of Mukai,” were granted legal control to own and operate the Mukai House and Garden. Since then, Friends of Mukai has been restoring and preserving the House and Garden and has also opened them to the public.
In 2017, King County purchased the adjacent fruit barreling plant, designating the Friends of Mukai as a long-term lessee. Friends of Mukai report that steps are underway to restore this facility so that all components – the house, Japanese garden, and fruit barreling plant – can be managed for the benefit of the public.
- Executive Dow Constantine: “Today’s ceremony to recognize the honorary road designation of Mukai Way is significant in so many ways. The Mukai family represents the ideals and values of the American dream. Given little resources, B.D. Mukai and his family worked hard, were innovators, and found success where few thought they could. Unfortunately, the story of the Mukai family and other Japanese Americans in the World War II era reminds us of the bigotry and discrimination people of color have faced throughout our country’s history. We should never forget how stereotypes and fear rooted in our differences can result in the erosion of basic human rights. In King County, we welcome people of different cultures and traditions, as they are important components of the beautiful fabric that we call home. This was true during World War II, and it certainly remains important today.”
- Councilmember Joe McDermott: “The name ‘Mukai Way’ is a visible step in celebrating the contributions of the Mukai family to Vashon Island. We must honor their history and recognize the irreparable harm inflicted on their family and other Japanese Americans. I look forward to continuing to celebrate their legacy and supporting this historic space that continues to teach us valuable lessons.”
- Local Services Director John Taylor: “I want to thank the King County Council and Executive Constantine for helping Mukai Way become a reality, as well as the volunteers such as the Friends of Mukai group. More importantly, I want to thank the Mukai family for their tremendous contributions to Vashon Island and our region. This road designation will help us remember and appreciate the family’s legacy.”
- Friends of Mukai President Rita Brogan: “We are delighted that King County has chosen to give a name—Mukai Way—to the street that serves the only standing pre-WWII Japanese farmstead left in America. We welcome everyone in King County and beyond to come learn more about the significant role played by the Japanese community in the Vashon community and economy before they were exiled.”
Mtendaji Dow Constantine alisema wakati wa kujitolea Ijumaa kwamba "Mukai Way" inapaswa kuwa ukumbusho wa michango ya Wamarekani wa Kijapani waliofanya kisiwa hicho katika miaka kabla ya Vita Kuu ya Pili. Mwezi Agosti, Baraza la Kaunti ya King lilikubaliana kwa kauli moja kuteua sehemu ya nusu maili ya 107th Avenue SW kuheshimu familia ya Mukai na michango ya jamii ya wahamiaji wa Kijapani wa Amerika kwenye kisiwa hicho katika karne ya 20. Alijiunga na Mshiriki wa Halmashauri Joe McDermott, Teresa Grover (B.D. "Mwaka wa kwanza wa vita vya pili vya dunia, Marekani ilitangaza ""Mukai Way"" kama ishara ya kukumbusha kuhusu ubaguzi na ukosefu wa haki za binadamu ambao Wamarekani wa asili ya Japani walikabiliwa nao katika miezi na miaka iliyofuata baada ya shambulio la Pearl Harbor." "Tamasha la leo la kutambua uteuzi wa barabara ya heshima ya Njia ya Mukai ni muhimu kwa njia nyingi", alisema Constantine. <unk> Familia ya Mukai inawakilisha maadili na maadili ya ndoto ya Marekani. Kwa sababu ya utajiri mdogo wa B. Mukai na familia yake walifanya kazi kwa bidii, walikuwa wabunifu, na walipata mafanikio ambapo wachache walidhani wangeweza. "Kwa bahati mbaya, hadithi ya familia ya Mukai na Wamarekani wengine wa Kijapani katika enzi ya Vita vya Pili vya Ulimwengu inatukumbusha ubaguzi na ubaguzi ambao watu wa rangi wamekabili katika historia ya nchi yetu, "aliongeza. <unk>Hatupaswi kamwe kusahau jinsi mitazamo ya kawaida na hofu inayotokana na tofauti zetu inaweza kusababisha uharibifu wa haki za msingi za binadamu. Katika King County, tunakaribisha watu wa tamaduni na mila tofauti, kwani ni sehemu muhimu ya kitambaa kizuri tunachokiita nyumbani. "Hiyo ilikuwa kweli wakati wa Vita Kuu ya Pili ya Ulimwengu, na kwa hakika bado ni muhimu leo. ""Historia ya Familia ya Mukai"" Katika 1910, B.D. (Denichiro) Mukai na mke wake, Sato, walihamia Kisiwa cha Vashon na kuanza kulima jordgubbar. Tangu mwaka 1910 hadi 1926, familia hiyo ilikodi ardhi kwenye kisiwa hicho ili kulima matunda na kuanzisha Kiwanda cha Kukata Matunda cha Mukai Cold Process. Mwaka 1926 waliinunua ardhi ya ekari 40 katikati ya kisiwa hicho kwa jina la mwana wao mwenye umri wa miaka 15 Masa Mukai. Wahamiaji wa Kijapani hawakuweza kumiliki mali katika jimbo letu kwa sababu ya Sheria ya Ardhi ya Mgeni iliyopitishwa na Bunge la Jimbo la Washington mnamo 1921, lakini kama raia aliyezaliwa Amerika, Masa angeweza. Baada ya kununua mashamba hayo na kufanikiwa kwa mchakato wa barrel ya matunda baridi, familia ya Mukai ilijenga kiwanda kikubwa cha barrel ya matunda mwaka 1927 ili kuunga mkono biashara yao inayoongezeka. Mwaka 1928, familia ya Mukai ilijenga nyumba mpya, ambayo Kuni Mukai (mke wa pili wa B.D. baada ya Sato kufa mwaka wa 1921) aliizunguka na bustani rasmi ya Kijapani. Shamba hilo liliendelea kusitawi wakati wa ule Mshuko Mkubwa wa Kiuchumi, likiwa na wafanyakazi zaidi ya 400 kila mwaka waliofanya kazi ya kufunga na kusafirisha tani 200 za jordgubbar. Shamba hilo lilikuwa na nyumba ya kulala iliyokuwa na wafanyakazi 250. Wakati B.D. Baada ya kustaafu mwaka 1934, Masao Mukai alirudi Japani na kuchukua biashara ya familia. Mwaka 1939 wakati hisia za kupinga Japani zilipozidi kuongezeka kote Marekani na Washington, alibadilisha jina la biashara kuwa Kampuni ya Ufungaji wa Kisiwa cha Vashon. Rais Franklin Delano Roosevelt alitia saini Amri ya Utekelezaji ya 906 ya mwaka 1942 ambayo iliamuru kuwekwa kizuizini kwa wahamiaji wa Kijapani na wazao wao, bila kujali hali ya uraia wa Marekani au urefu wa makazi. Familia ya Mukai ilikimbia Kisiwa cha Vashon kwenda Dead Ox Flat huko Oregon. Alipokuwa uhamishoni huko, Masa alianzisha kilimo cha safu katika eneo ambalo wakati huo lilikuwa hasa nchi ya mifugo. Alipanda mbegu za saladi na mboga nyingine kwenye ekari 100 alizozipata na akaunda mashine yake mwenyewe ya kuvuna mbegu za ndege, na hivyo akafanikiwa kuishi wakati wote wa vita. Wakati wa vita, Maurice Dunsford alikodi shamba lote la Vashon na kiwanda cha kufunga kutoka kwa familia ya Mukai. Aliendesha kiwanda hicho kwa mafanikio katika kipindi hicho chote. Phillipe Baccaro, mkandarasi wa kazi kutoka Kanada, alikodisha nyumba hiyo kutoka kwa Dunsford na kulima ardhi hiyo. Pamoja, hao wawili walifanya biashara za Mukai ziendelee kufanya kazi kikamili na kuwa na faida wakati wote wa vita. Baada ya Vita vya Pili vya Ulimwengu kumalizika, familia ya Mukai ilirudi Vashon na Masa akafungua viwanda vingine viwili vya usindikaji. Moja ilikuwa katika Ferndale, Wash., na nyingine katika Forest Grove, Ore. Mwaka 1969 kampuni ya Masa iliuza biashara ya kufunga. Shamba hilo lilikuwa na wamiliki kadhaa kutoka miaka ya 1970 hadi miaka ya 1990. Mwaka 1993, nyumba, bustani na kiwanda cha kutengeneza mapipa, pamoja na ekari tano zilizobaki za 60 za awali, zilipewa jina la King County Landmark. Mwaka 1994 eneo hilo liliorodheshwa katika orodha ya vituo vya kihistoria nchini Marekani. Island Landmarks, shirika lisilo la faida, linanunua nyumba ya Mukai kwa madhumuni ya kuhifadhi historia, kwa msaada wa dola 500,000 kutoka kwa King County, Huduma ya Hifadhi ya Kitaifa, na Jimbo la Washington. Mnamo mwaka 2016, wanachama wa bodi ya Island Landmarks, inayojulikana leo kama <unk>Friends of Mukai<unk>, walipewa udhibiti wa kisheria wa kumiliki na kuendesha Nyumba na Bustani ya Mukai. Tangu wakati huo, Marafiki wa Mukai wamekuwa wakirudisha na kuhifadhi Nyumba na Bustani na pia wameifungua kwa umma. King County ilinunua kiwanda cha kuzalisha matunda katika pipa mwaka 2017, na kuamua Friends of Mukai kuwa mpangaji wa muda mrefu. Marafiki wa Mukai wanaripoti kuwa hatua zinaendelea kurudisha kituo hiki ili vipengele vyote - nyumba, bustani ya Kijapani, na kiwanda cha kutayarisha matunda - viweze kusimamiwa kwa faida ya umma. - Mtendaji Dow Constantine: <unk>Today<unk> sherehe ya kutambua heshima ya barabara ya Mukai Way ni muhimu kwa njia nyingi. Familia ya Mukai inawakilisha maadili na maadili ya ndoto ya Marekani. Kwa sababu ya utajiri mdogo wa B. Mukai na familia yake walifanya kazi kwa bidii, walikuwa wabunifu, na walipata mafanikio ambapo wachache walidhani wangeweza. "Hata hivyo, hadithi ya familia ya Mukai na Wamarekani wengine wa Japani katika enzi ya Vita Kuu ya Pili ya Dunia inatukumbusha ""upendeleo na ubaguzi ambao watu wa rangi wamekabili katika historia ya nchi yetu.""" """Hatupaswi kamwe kusahau jinsi mitazamo ya kawaida na hofu inayotokana na tofauti zetu inaweza kusababisha uharibifu wa haki za msingi za binadamu." Katika King County, tunakaribisha watu wa tamaduni na mila tofauti, kwani ni sehemu muhimu ya kitambaa kizuri tunachokiita nyumbani. Hii ilikuwa kweli wakati wa Vita Kuu ya Pili, na ni hakika bado muhimu leo. <unk> - Mjumbe wa Halmashauri Joe McDermott: <unk>Jina <unk>Mukai Way<unk> ni hatua inayoonekana katika kusherehekea michango ya familia ya Mukai kwa Kisiwa cha Vashon. "Tunapaswa kuheshimu historia yao na kutambua madhara yasiyoweza kurekebishwa yaliyoletwa kwa familia zao na Wamarekani wengine wa Japani. """ "Ninatarajia kuendelea kusherehekea urithi wao na kuunga mkono nafasi hii ya kihistoria ambayo inaendelea kutufundisha masomo muhimu. "" - Mkurugenzi wa Huduma za Mitaa John Taylor: ""Nataka kuwashukuru Baraza la Kaunti ya King na Mtendaji Constantine kwa kusaidia Njia ya Mukai kuwa ukweli, pamoja na wajitoleaji kama kikundi cha Marafiki wa Mukai." "Aidha, amesema, ""Nataka kuwashukuru familia ya Mukai kwa michango yao kubwa kwa kisiwa cha Vashon na mkoa wetu." "Mwaka huu, ""Mwaka wa Mkutano wa Kijapani wa Kijapani"" ulianza na Rais wa Mkutano wa Kijapani wa Kijapani wa Jipani, Rita Brogan, ambaye aliandika kitabu chake cha kwanza cha ""Mwaka wa Mkutano wa Kijapani wa Kijapani wa Kijapani"" na ""Mwaka wa Mkutano wa Kijapani wa Kijapani wa Jipani.""" Tunakaribisha kila mtu katika Kaunti ya King na zaidi kuja kujifunza zaidi juu ya jukumu muhimu lililochezwa na jamii ya Kijapani katika jamii ya Vashon na uchumi kabla ya kufukuzwa.