Pictured above: Mr. Itsuki Kodama and his wife Namiko Kimura Kodama.
Wayne Tadaki is the Coordinator at Theodore Ogoshi Archives at Makiki Christian Church. He writes a series of historical articles about Makiki Christian Church for the churchʻs newsletter.
Makiki Christian Church at one time had an item in the income section of the annual budget called, “The Kodama Fund”. Ever wonder who Kodama was? A few of you (now probably in your 70’s or 80’s) might have known Mr. Kodama personally. If you don’t know who he was, you might guess that he was a prominent church member and well-connected man in our community. If that was your guess, you would be wrong.
Philip Muramoto remembers Mr. Itsuki Kodama from the 1950’s and 60’s, as the quiet, elderly man, stooped over and working diligently in our church yard, sometimes with Philip’s father, sometimes by himself. He was not well-known to many, and seemed an average, modest Makiki Church member like most of us.
The following are Mr. Kodama’s words spoken about his life taken around 1979 from an oral history project transcription:
“I came from Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima, in 1917 on the Korea Maru. I was 17 years old and was called to Hawaii by my father who worked on a plantation in Kukuihaele, Hawaii. However, I got a job as “bunsen” (picking out Japanese characters) for the newspaper Hawaii Shimpo. I spent three years on that job.
I then went to work as a schoolboy for John K. Clarke, a director for the Honolulu Plantation. I came to Makiki Church at night to learn English from a Yamamoto Hiroemon. I stayed with Mr. Clarke for three years.
One summer I got a job at City Mill as a sales clerk with the advice and assistance of Rev. Okumura. I then worked there on a full-time basis for 20 years and learned a lot about lumber and carpentry. So later I became a carpenter and did various other types of work.
I married Namiko Kimura in 1935; we had no children. We lived in Nuuanu. My wife worked as a maid. She died in 1953.
I volunteered my services and have been helping with Makiki Church’s yardwork for about 15 years, or ever since my retirement. At first I used to help Mr. Muramoto because he used to say he was so tired. Then when he passed away, I stayed on a full-time basis. I work here six days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon. I trim the hedge, do yardwork, and try to make the place look nice for our Sunday worshippers.
I remember we used to come to church in a suit, necktie and hat. Today people wear all kinds of clothes to come to church. I think, however, we should show respect to God and to the church by wearing something decent, not shorts and ragged T-shirts.
I turned to Christianity when I attended River Church, while I was still at the newspaper office. I went there for about three years. Then one day I attended Harris Memorial and I heard about the love God has for His children and the love we should have for our fellowmen. At that time I was having family (brother) problems and the sermon about “love” impressed me.
When Makiki Church was being built in the early 30s, Mr. Ai from City Mill was going broke. But Rev. Okumura bought $70,000 worth of material from City Mill, and the bank that was ready to foreclose held off. So Rev. Okumura saved City Mill from bankruptcy and Mr. Ai was always very grateful to Rev. Okumura.
I want to serve this church while I can, to help repay for all the good that I received from Rev. Okumura and others. I would be happy if young people would read this, and that they too in time would serve the church in some way that they can. I know now the young people think, “Oh, he’s just the yardman” because they don’t talk to me, although a few say “Hello” when they pass. They think yardwork is not a high-class job. Of course I wouldn’t work if Makiki Church paid me for my services. I do it only on a volunteer basis.
I live in a rooming house in Palama and I get up early to make my coffee. Then I get in my car and come here (to MCC). I have to have a car because I carry my own lawnmower and tools. This is my third lawnmower that I bought since coming to Makiki. I bring my own extension electric cord and tools, and I take them home in my car because when I left them here people would borrow and not return them. I intend to leave whatever is left after my funeral expenses to the church anyway, and I can give the money now or later.
Working in the yard might look easy, but it’s not that easy. I have to consider the whole grounds in a total plan, then work accordingly. Sometimes it rains, and then I have to work extra hard to catch up. I start at one end and if I’m too slow, by the time I came back to the area I started from, the place looks messy. I belong to a senior citizen club but I’m so busy I don’t have time to go to the club.
I’m 79 now, going to be 80 next time around. I may not pass the driver’s license renewal which we have to take every two years.
Am I going to the Diamond Jubilee Banquet on April 8? No, it’ll be too noisy. I like peace and quiet. That’s why I like working with nature in the yard. It’s peaceful.”
Mr. Itsuki Kodama passed away on March 5, 1980, not too long after the interview. In his memorial service program was this scripture passage.
In everything I showed that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.“
Mr. Kodama appears to have been a simple man, a stalwart Christian, blessed because he gave more than he received. Upon Mr. Kodama receiving his final reward in Heaven, he did “leave whatever is left after my funeral expenses to the church.” In the August 31, 1984 MCC Treasurer’s Report, Summary of Cash, the Kodama Fund had a Principal and Interest total of $93,754.57. That amount in 1984 would be worth about $219,000 today.
Thank you Mr. Kodama! Arigatoo gozaimashita Kodama-san! You have taught us and inspired us to live as Jesus wants us to live.
