On Saturday, February 24, 2024, a “Celebration of Life Tribute to Mas Hashimoto” was held at the Watsonville Civic Plaza in Watsonville, California, the home-town of Mas Hashimoto. This Celebration of Life Tribute to Mas was hosted by the Watsonville Public Library, Friends of the Watsonville Public Library and the Watsonville-Santa Cruz Japanese American Citizens League.
Mas taught U.S. History at his alma mater, Watsonville High School (WHS), for 36 years (1960-1996) and was an advisor to the Alley Catz Bowling Club, Sno’ Catz Ski Club and Class of ’79 and ’88. His years at WHS as a student and teacher were wonderful, and he was proud of the accomplishments of his students. During his 25 years of retirement, Mas spoke to 3,000 students annually about the unjust incarceration of 120,000 Japanese, Japanese Americans during WWII. Mas, at the age of six, and his family were among those incarcerated.
Mas will be remembered for his civil and human rights activism and dedicated civil service.
In gratitude to all who contributed to and attended this “Celebration of Life Tribute to Mas Hashimoto”
We also wish to thank Digital Nest for the filming of this video and for uploading this tribute to Mas on our website.
Watsonville-Santa Cruz JACL 