Katsu Goto

Katsu Goto was Japanese who in 1884 moved to Honokaa, Hawaii. After three years as a contract laborer on a sugar plantation, he became the first Japanese store owner in Honokaa and a respected member of the community. He was lynched after being accused of causing unrest among the laborers that led to the burning of a sugarcane field.

Katsu, the oldest son of Izaemon Kobayakawa, was born in Kanagawa prefecture about 1862. The Kobayakawas had three other sons and two daughters. Even as an elementary school student Katsu had the reputation of being very smart. Prior to leaving Japan, Katsu was employed at the Oiso county office. It is believed that he learned English at the port of Yokohama.

He changed his family registration to the Goto family because at that time eldest sons could not go abroad, since they traditionally succeeded to headship of the family. Katsu Goto was among the 944 immigrants-676 men, 158 women, and 110 children-who came to Hawaii on the first of 26 shiploads of government contract Japanese immigrants between 1885 and 1894. Goto's ship, City of Tokio, arrived on February 8, 1885. His contract, like those of most of his male shipmates, was for a period of three years at $9 per month. A $6 monthly food allowance, free lodging, medical care, and cooking fuel were also provided. Goto's contract was reassigned by the Hawaiian Board of Immigration to Soper, Wright and Co. at Ookala on the Big Island. This sugar plantation had been organized and managed by John Harris Soper prior to his appointment as marshal of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1884.

Goto's three years as a common laborer must have been long, difficult, and probably even humiliating in view of his background as a bureaucrat rather than as a farmer. However, his period of indentured service was not completely negative. He was able to send for his brother, Sekijiro, at the end of 1887 and to send him to high school in San Francisco. Apparently, even at his low monthly wage Goto was able to save money. Goto, who would prove to be a good businessman, might also have found ways to make additional money on the side.

The hardships of a plantation laborer's life were probably made more bearable by his ambition and plans to open a store upon completion of his contract. Hawaiian Kingdom Interior Department records show that he obtained a retail license to operate a store in Honokaa in 1888. He was the first of the "first ship" immigrants to open a store after the expiration of their contracts.
Goto opened for business in a four-room house in which he also resided. The store was a few yards away from one operated by Joseph R. Mills. Goto's business was doing well by the end of the first year and he hired another Japanese as a clerk. Moreover, two months before his untimely death Goto opened a new store of “quite good dimensions” in a building right next to his former store.

Goto's general store carried a considerable stock of foodstuff, clothing, household goods, hardware, and so on, most of which were obtained from Honolulu. The heaviest merchandise was brought from Honokaa landing to his store for a fee by William Blabon on the Mills store wagon. Goto's customers were mainly Japanese, though Hawaiians and Caucasians also bought from him. Goto was a very industrious businessman who actively went out to solicit orders.

Goto also became a liaison between the Japanese laborers and plantation management because of his leadership skills, knowledge of English, and his strong character. He facilitated mediation, served as an interpreter, and advocated for improved working conditions.

Because of his business success and advices he gave to Japanese plantation workers concerning their rights in regards to plantation owners he was attacked and killed by four white men on October 28, 1889. He was found the next day hanging from a telephone pole.

All four men were judged and sentenced, but two of them escaped from prison, one was pardoned, and only one served out his full sentence.

When Goto was killed, his assets already exceeded debts incurred in starting the store, even after such a short time in business. The bright future that lay ahead was to be tragically denied him.