LIHUE — Kauai Veterans Council Commander General (retired) Mary Jane Hertog has a desire to honor Akiyo Matsuyama during the upcoming Veterans Celebration on Nov. 2 at Vidinha Stadium.
Not so much that Akiyo Matsuyama celebrated her 100th birthday on Sept. 25, but more because of her devotion to her brother, Army Private First Class Takeshi Sasaki, and advocacy for veterans Missing In Action (MIA).
“If you ask her which act of service she values the most, she will undoubtedly speak to you about her mission to make sure that we never forget those who served in ‘The Forgotten War,’” said Jeni Miyahira, Akiyo’s granddaughter.
“Akiyo played a pivotal role in working with the local Veterans Administration to continuously honor the Korean War Veterans from Kauai who were MIA. Her eldest brother, Army PFC Takeshi Sasaki, was amongst the five Korean War MIA soldiers from Kauai, and she tirelessly and diligently advocated for these soldiers to ensure that we never forget who they are,” Miyahira said.
“She spent many years communicating with Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and the Department of Defense to install memorial plaques and ensure that our community remembers those who served. Akiyo is a loud voice for the Korean War Veterans — especially the five Korean MIA on Kauai. Her message to all of us on her 100th birthday is to always remember these ‘Forgotten War’ Veterans.”
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami proclaimed Sept. 25 as Akiyo Matsyama Day.
Akiyo was born on Sept. 25, 1924, at Huleia Plantation, or known as Kipu, Kauai — a small plantation camp that has since vanished, and attended Huleia Elementary School and Kauai High School.
“She grew up at Halfway Bridge, and lived in Hanamaulu with her husband,” said Pam Arroyo, the director at the Regency at Puakea where Akiyo currently resides. “They both lived on Oahu while he was in the service, then moved back home to Kauai.”
She married Toshio Matsuyama, and the couple had five children — Susan (Gary) Nakagawa, Marsha (George) Nishimura, Warren (Melanie) Matsuyama, Gail (Colin) Sakai and Neal (Robbin) Matsuyama. Akiyo has nine grandchildren, including Coach Dalton (Reiko) Matsuyama, and 17 great grandchildren.
“Like so many others in their generation, Akiyo and Toshi worked long arduous hours and eventually opened and operated their own service station and repair shop business called T &H Service Ltd in Lihue,” Miyahira said. “They later expanded their business to care rentals and campers.”
Arroyo said Akiyo told her, “I tried learning to drive once. It wasn’t good. I never learned, and I walked, everywhere.”
On retirement, Akiyo became an active member of the Lihue Hongwanji and the Lihue Senior Center. She participated in many community service activities.
She also pursued her artistic interests and refined her quilting and sewing skills. She shared many of her Hawaiian quilts, American quilts and various creative projects with family and friends. She also donated her quilts and crafts to help community projects and fundraisers.
“Aki is a remarkable woman,” Arroyo said. “She is full of life and energy. She walks every morning, weather permitting … more like speed walking, and always participates in the scheduled activities.”
