Hideo Oshita

Pastor, Educator, Teacher, Historian

Treasure #6


Hideo was born in Yashima, Japan on February 23, 1912.  His father was the manager of the import store in town and his mother a housewife.  Hideo had an older brother and three sisters.  His mother died when Hideo was 10 years old and his older brother left for Hawaii.  He remained in Yashima with his father and sisters.

The school accepted Hideo to the 4^th grade, a level generally for 9 year olds.  Hideo was 12 years old.  By the time he entered high school Hideo was proficient in English.  This was a difficult period for Hideo.  Besides learning English and all other subjects that were required, he also had to work to provide for his food and housing as well as to pay for his tuition.  Hideo worked hard at his studies.  He worked as a “houseboy” for clients referred to him by the school.

In 1934, Hideo Oshita graduated as president of his class.  He found time to also serve as the business manager for the KaLamku in 1933 & 1934.  In addition, Hideo worked as a colporteur during the summer months.  In 1935, he left Hawaii to study at Pacific Union College in Angwin, California.  It was there where he met Winifred Nakamoto.  I am told that they were “only friends” and their children told me privately that “they did not have a serious relationship”.

In 1939, he graduated from PUC and decided to go into the ministry.  He was called by the Hawaiian Mission to take his intern at Wahiawa Church.  He was later called to the island of Kauai to pastor the Kekaha, Kalaheo, and Kapaa Churches.  It was here that he got reacquainted with Winifred Nakamoto who was the church school teacher.  Their friendship blossomed…this time it was serious.  They were married on Kauai and made their home in Kekaha.  All three children Gordon, Joanne, and Roy were born at Waimea Hospital.

An interesting incident took place when Pearl Harbor was bombed.  Officials gave Hideo a citizen’s ID by mistake.  He informed them of the error and they merely wrote “non” in front of the word “Citizen”.   Another interesting fact happened and that is all Japanese living in Hawaii from Japan were given “Alien” cards.  Hideo was never sent to an intern camp and in fact he was trusted by the government to guard an important military warehouse on the island.  During this period of time, he remained the only active SDA minister on the Island of Kauai for several years.

In addition to the churches mentioned above, Hideo Oshita was instrumental in the organizations of the Aiea SDA Church and the Japanese SDA Church (Manoa Adventist Church).  He is also responsible for historical research of Adventist Churches in Hawaii and the chronological historical data of Hawaiian Mission Academy from 1940-1961.  He is remembered by many students as the individual responsible in planting many of the trees that are presently on the HMA campus today.  Hideo Oshita was a pastor, teacher, and historian for Hawaii Conference for more than 25 years.

In 1964, he was called by the Southern California Conference to pastor the Central Japanese Church in Los Angeles, California.  He remained in that position until he retired.  In retirement he continued to help with various church duties including preaching God's word.  He also conducted prayer meetings, bible studies, weddings, funerals, and baptisms.

His hobbies included gardening and macro-photography of flowers.  He had a small piece of property enough land where he grew various citrus fruit trees, as well persimmons, peach and apricot trees.  He enjoyed a multitude of orchid plants, hibiscus bushes, and plumeria trees.  His fruits and flowers were always shared with his neighbors and church family. 

His love of books remained foremost, reading and studying a wide range of topics.  He studied places to travel, and then travel to all parts of Europe, Far East, and Australia.  He and Mrs. O remained active members in the SDA Retiree’s Club of Southern California and were always in touch with many church and school co-workers and friends.  Hawaii and its people had a very special place in his heart.  Many of his students were very fond of him and kept close contact with him even in retirement.

In all of the “HMA Treasures” that I have found to date, they all have been unique and irreplaceable.  I’ve found them to be exceptional and awesome individuals.  I have also learned that they were always willing to share and to give.  They are also highly intellectual and yet have the ability to deal with regular people like you and me.    

Treasure #6 is no different.   He comes from a far away country yet he was able to find a   little school in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to have a special relationship with.  He learns the basic foundation of God’s love and for more than 60 years he is able to show it and tell it to thousands of people.  One thing for sure, he “loved HMA, his classmates, and his students”.   We will always remember Hideo Oshita, Class of 1934, Pastor, Educator, Historian, Teacher and Friend.