After learning the movie "Emperor" was about Gen. Douglas MacArthur‘s important role in Japan following the Japanese surrender in World War II, I put it on my must-see list, as it brought back many memories about the great warrior and Medal of Honor recipient.
These recollections started when I was a boy with the general’s withdrawal from the Philippines as Japanese forces invaded and his vow to return, which he fulfilled; his prominent role in the Pacific war theater; his triumphant arrival in Japan as supreme commander of occupying forces right after the surrender in 1945; the unprecedented visit EmperorHirohito made to the conqueror at his demand; and his work rebuilding the devastated country into one of the world’s economic powers. "Emperor" winds up with Hirohito’s visit.
I also remember MacArthur wanting to extend the Korean War, which led President Harry S. Truman to relieve him of his command of U.S. forces in Korea in April 1951. This upset many Americans. On his way back to the U.S. and a hero’s welcome after being fired, the general stopped in Hawaii and gave a speech before 3,000 people at the University of Hawaii when I was a student there. University President Gregg Sinclair presented him with an honorary doctorate.
Aside from all these reasons, I wanted to see "Emperor" because it stars Tommy Lee Jones as MacArthur and former "Lost" star Matthew Fox as Brig. Gen. Bonner Fellers, who had knowledge of Japan and its people and had visited the country before the war. When he was in college Fellers met an exchange student, played in the film by lovely Eriko Hatsune. Hollywood blows this up into a big love story shown in flashbacks. MacArthur assigns Fellers to find out if Hirohito was a war criminal who ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor. Most Americans wanted him executed, but MacArthur did not. He felt the Japanese people would revolt over the killing of their living god and make rebuilding the country more difficult.
Fox has more time on camera than Jones. Both are excellent. Overall, I liked the picture and found it extremely interesting …
BLIND MUSICAL PRODIGY Kuhao Case, 16, of Hawaii island, will speak at TEDxTeen 2013, hosted by Chelsea Clinton, Saturday in New York City. TEDxTeen focuses on the conversation of teens and their power to change the world. The conference will be streamed live on TEDxTeen.com, where Andrew Jenks, creator of MTV’s "World of Jenks," will join in to host TEDxTeen 2013’s online global audience.
Kuhao taught himself how to play piano and organ four years ago. With limited access to a piano, he was able to practice only a few hours each week. Fans helped him acquire a piano last year and to release an album, "Dare to Dream." Kuhao was born two months premature and underwent surgery that saved his life but left him blind …
MURPHY’S BAR & GRILL at Nuuanu and Merchant is the place to be Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Traffic will be blocked off for the St. Patrick’s Day party. Plenty of food and drink will be available along with lively music by Doolin’ Rakes and the Piranha Brothers …
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Ben Wood, who sold newspapers on Honolulu streets in World War II, writes of people, places and things. Email him at bwood@staradvertiser.com.
