Public Lecture by Dr. Samuel Yamashita: Welcoming Remarks

Aloha and welcome to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Hamilton Library for today’s Lecture “The ‘Japanese Turn’ in Fine  Dining in the United States 1980-2017,” by Henry E. Sheffield Professor of History at Pomona College, Samuel “Sam” Yamashita,

I had the pleasure of meeting Prof. Yamashita earlier today when he recognized me from his many research visits to the Asia Collection (where I spent most of my career as an Area Studies Librarian) and the Hawaiian and Pacific Collections – two renowned collections at our Library where he used our many resources for his forthcoming book, Hawai’i Regional Cuisine: The Food Movement That Changed the Way Hawaii Eats – advance copies are available for purchase from his publisher and the library’s partner on many projects – UH Press. We have some other connections through the University of Michigan and UHM faculty, but a more thorough introduction to Prof. Yamashita will follow.

Besides our distinguished speaker, Prof. Yamashita, I would also like to recognize and extend a warm welcome to Chief Researcher, Satomi Shoji, who is representing the Office of the Counsel General of Japan; faculty/administrators from Prof. Yamashita’s school Mid-Pacific Institute (our campus neighbor), and his former students at Pomona who now live in Hawaii, including History professor Mark McNally.

The lecture today is a collaborative effort and supported by Kapi‘olani Community College and 5 Departments/Programs/Center/Services at UHM – 1) Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity or SEED program, 2) Department of American Studies, 3) Department of Women’s Studies, 4) Center for Japanese Studies and 5) Library Services – the last both by providing space and the involvement of our outstanding Japan Studies Librarian, Tokiko Bazzell who has collaborated with faculty across colleges and departments to organize this lecture.

This program is being live streamed for virtual participation – Thanks to Ed Yagi – Library Network Specialist. If you didn’t catch it on the way in, please do check out the Elevator Exhibit on the first floor of the library featuring Japanese foods & flavors.

Like you, I am eager to hear what Prof. Yamashita has to say and will turn it over to Professor Lonny Carlile, Director of the Center for Japanese Studies, for his remarks.