The heart of Honokaa Town on the island of Hawaiʻi (aka the Big Island) features various historic buildings and establishments like the historic Honokaʻa People’s Theatre that connect to the origin of the town in the law 19th century. The Katsu Goto Memorial highlights this connection in a powerful way, creating a natural link with the surrounding community that spans the entire region and beyond.
One of the First Union Activists
Katsu Goto arrived on the Big Island in 1885 and would eventually organize his own business in Honokaa. Sugar production needs dominated the early town, bringing in people are all over, especially Japan. That influx why his establishment of a Japanese store proved to be so popular with the Japanese immigrants in the area. His English language skills and knowledge of Western business and labor practices made him a leader in dealing with plantation management.
This understanding wasn’t appreciated by those managers, leading to his kidnapping and being murdered on his way back from a meeting with laborer’s in 1889. His body was found hanging from a telephone phone near the spot where the Katsu Goto Memorial now resides.
Considered to be one of the first union activists, the small memorial to honor him is defined by a marker that contains a summary of Goto’s life. A small stone wall is both a barrier and place for visitors to rest and take in the surroundings.
One of the main stops on the Historic Honokaa Town Map, the Katsu Goto Memorial is a popular destination during Katsu Goto Legacy Week, highlighting how landmarks of any size can make an impact on the community while also enabling connection in a much larger way.
A Part of the Local Neighborhood and Wider Community
Residing amidst various homes and across the street from a high school, the Katsu Goto Memorial is a literal part of the community that doesn’t overwhelm the space or surroundings. Do so has inspired audiences, authors and even filmmakers to celebrate Goto’s legacy, highlighting how a simple landmark can become an essential part of a community while also impacting a much wider audience.
