The Terasaki Center is proud to publically release the Herb Kawahara Oral History, honoring the life and legacy of Nikkei Bruin Herb Kawahara.
In the first installment of the UCLA Terasaki Center’s Oral History Project, Kawahara discusses his family history, growing up in Los Angeles, the Japanese-American internment camps during World War II, his work, and his relationship with UCLA. His story gives insight into the changing culture and perception of Japanese-Americans in Los Angeles over the past century, as well as his passion for his career and the important role his Japanese heritage played in his success.
You can watch the video here:
Heb Kawahara Oral History Project (https: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMuE8Hlrslk)
Oral History Project
Initiated in May 2014, the Oral History Project is sponsored by the Shapiro Family Charitable Foundation. Its mission is to preserve the personal histories of the original Nikkei Bruin Committee, a group of Japanese-American alumni of UCLA created in 1991.
Nikkei Bruins
The Nikkei Bruin Endowment was established in 1992 to strengthen events sponsored by the Terasaki Center Japanese Studies by providing funding to bring students, scholars, journalists and public figures to UCLA to discuss issues facing the United States and Japan. Since the inception of this fund the Center has annually sponsored a conference on a pertinent topic relating to Japan and/or Japanese Americans, including the Center’s “19th Annual Graduate Symposium on Japanese Studies: Power, Ideology, and the Everyday.” //www.international.ucla.edu/japan/event/10787
The Nikkei Bruin Committee was formed in 1991 by a group of Japanese-American alumni of UCLA championing the mission of "attracting greater university support and participation from Japanese-American alumni and friends." They have played a key role in the Center's fund-raising efforts since its inception.
Herb Kawahara
Herb Kawahara is a philanthropist, retired president of the Pacific Stock Exchange, chair emeritus of the UCLA Foundation, and one of the original Nikkei Bruins. He is also a longtime champion and supporter of Japanese Studies at UCLA. In 1997, his gift to the Terasaki Center established The Herbert and Helen Kawahara Fellowship to support UCLA graduate students wishing to develop expertise in Japanese culture while pursuing professional training in any academic discipline.
The Herbert and Helen Kawahara Fellowship was established in 1997 to provide fellowship support for graduate students who wish to develop Japan expertise as they pursue professional training in any given academic discipline. In 2006, this endowment was strengthened by further funding from the Shapiro Family in honor of the Kawahara Family - a marvelous testament to Herb’s magnificent leadership.
To date, Kawahara Fellowships have provided over $125,000 for 20 graduate students, many of whom have gone on to earn PhDs and become experts in their fields.
To make additional financial contributions to support these projects and other Terasaki Center initiatives, please click the DONATE button on the top page of our website: //www.international.ucla.edu/japan/
Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2015
