Okubo. who is 83. was the lone American to be honored by Emperor Akihito among those selected for recognition with the Order of the Rising Sun. He was accorded this honor for his many years of advancing cultural and scientific exchange between Japan and Hawaii. including a Joint United StatesJapan study to develop a tsunami (tidal wave) barrier for Hilo Bay and contributions from each of Japans 17 prefectures for Hilos Queen Liliuokalani Park. He is said to be nearly as conversant in Hawaiian as he is in English and he still broadcasts weekly on Sunday morning radio. publishes a twicemonthly newspaper. and operates a cultural museum on Japanese immigration to Hawaii. For all his activity. however. Okubo is best known as a "dreamer." one who envisions an era of "The Pacific Man." the evolutionary product of transPacific cultural exchange.
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