Earl Shimabukuro and Betsy Tamanaha

Earl Shimbakuro and Betsy Tamanaha (née  Shimabukuro) tell stories of growing up on the Shimabukuro Camp. Their resilient single mom did a variety of jobs to make ends meet, including making lauhala hats and washing laundry for the plantation workers. Betsy and Earl remember the activities and games they played to pass the time. They also recount their journeys from Kohala, to college and back to Hawaii, and the plantation values that propelled them to excel in life.

Betsy Tamanaha baby

Introduction


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha
Tamanaha Mom 1953

Memories of Mom


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha
Earl Shimabukuro baby kimono

Early's Story


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha

Earl's Wife Goes to College


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha

How Earl Met His Young Bride


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha
Betsy Tamanaha child

Betsy's Story, Part I


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha
Betsy Tamanaha 1958

Betsy's Story, Part 2


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha

He Was My Role Model


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha

Visiting Kohala


Photo courtesy of North Kohala Public Library
Betsy Shimabukuro award

If You Have a Desire, You Can Do Anything


Photo courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha

Additional photos

Photos courtesy of Betsy Tamanaha

Mom Yoshiko Shimabukuro

Baby Earl

Earl

Earl (far right) with fishing buddies

Earl (bottom row, far left) on the Kohala basketball team

Earl's yearbook photo, 1958

Earl (far left) is awarded the Hui Hanalike award

Baby Betsy

Betsy

Betsy

Betsy

Betsy and friends

Betsy and Grandma 

Betsy and mom

Betsy's yearbook photo, 1958

Like brother, Betsy (left) is awarded the Hui Hanalike award.

Mom Yoshiko Shimabukuro

Additional resources

Coming soon

Transcript

Coming soon

Credits and video information

Recording date: 7/2/22
Location: Kohala Reunion, Kamahemeha Park, Kapa'au, Kohala

Videographer: Lucas Manuel-Scheibe
Video editor: Mark Mazin