Eugene Takeo Ichinose

Eugene Takeo Ichinose was the fourth son of Yoshigoro and Tome and was the twin brother of Samuel Masuo. He married Harriet Chieko Toi and they had four children; Eugene Takeo Jr., Lester Yoshio, Susan Mieko and David Kanji.

Eugene was born on November 12th 1907 in Moiliili Hawaii . He graduated from Moiliili Middle School in 1922 and went on to McKinley High School where he graduated in 1928. He then attended the University of Hawaii where he graduated in 1932 but not before marrying Harriet Chieko Toi on May 13th 1932.

Eugene through out his education (and everything else) was very involved with organizations and events. He was not one to stay in the back or do the minimum effort. Several of his endeavors included:

Sports editor of the McKinley H.S Newspaper the Pinion.
Came up with the idea and was the first President of having a McKinley branch of the interracial PanPacific Cosmopolitan Club.
University of Hawaii Campus football league all star team.
Chairman of multiple dance and event committees for the University of Hawaii.
Managing editor for “Ka Leo o Hawaii” UOH weekly newspaper,
Commission in the ROTC UOH.
Vice President of the “Press Club” of the UOH.
UOH Student Council
Senior Class President UOH.
Pistol sharpshooter Award Schofield Barracks training.
First Japanese Fraternity in UOH “Hukaba Kai” granted Charter and Eugene is First President.
As a UOH Rifle team received “Warrior of the Pacific” medal.

Eugene was a very intelligent guy and probably could have done anything he put his mind to. He was born to a very poor family on a farm and his father could barely feed them. Eugene's mother Tome passed when he was only 12 from TB and bearing 10 children and soon after his mothers death he moved out to live with friends, most of them Hawaiian. Working and getting through high school he eventually caught a tramp steamer to another island to work and earn enough money to go to the University of Hawaii where he distinguished himself with many of the listed accomplishments above.

These were just a few of his accomplishments during this time period but after falling in love with Harriet and Graduating from the University of Hawaii Eugene's path took several turns...

Near the end of Eugene’s path through the educational system Eugene and Harriet filed for a Marriage License on February 8th 1932.

1932 was actually a pivotol year of decision and choosing paths. As he exited UOH, Eugene received a certificate for eligibility for appointment for Officers reserve corps, U.S. Army. There may have been a flirtation with a career in the military but fairly quickly Eugene’s future took another turn.

He married Harriet on May 13th 1932 and on November 27th 1932 their first child Eugene Jr. was born. It was the middle of the great depression and times were very hard and Eugene worked on building stone walls at Ala Moana Park under the WPA program. A second child was born in 1934 and the family was growing.

Over the next few years Eugene seemed to engage in more family matters and social interactions. He also was still attached to the UOH Japanese fraternity activities. He was involved with the Palola golf club and was part of the advertising staff for the Hawaiian Hochi newspaper. He was the first vice president of the Royal PTA school system. He was the recording secretary for the Japanese American Athletic Association (JAAA).

A seed for a large part of his future was planted by his wife Harriet and his brother Daniel when they opened “Uptown Jewelers” in 1939 at 1337 Nuuanu ave.

Eugene was a co-chairman of the publicity for the Hawaiian-Japanese Civic Association and Eugene became involved with several softball leagues and affiliations and during 1940 was involved with his twin brother Sam’s civic and political career.

Harriet Chieko Toi Eugene's wife

Chieko Toi was born on August 8th, 1910 to Toguichi and Ura Toi. Her father Toguichi, who was a merchant from Japan, passed away in 1913 when she was only 3. She was raised by her mother Ura, who was a seamstress in Kalihi. She dropped out of McKinley High School to go to work in order to help support the family.

She married Eugene Ichinose in 1932 and became Chieko Toi Ichinose. In 1943 Chieko petitioned the courts for a name change and on October 8th 1943 she became Harriet Chieko Ichinose.

In 1939 She assisted Dan Ichinose (Eugene’s brother) in opening Uptown Jewelers which became a running concern for many years.

During the late 30's and the 40's Harriet was involved with coaching girl softball and with the sponsorship of Uptown Jewelers for the teams she managed.

In 1959 She and Eugene founded the Hawaii Ballroom Dance Association (HBDA) which became a cornerstone for their endeavors.

The Jewelry Store and the Dance Association were both successful in their own ways with others taking center stage as the symbol of accomplishment but as the years progressed and later when many looked back at the history of these enterprises, while much credit goes to Eugene and Dan among others, it was the steady, calm, graceful, committed and spiritual strength of Harriet that was the true hidden power behind these achievements. She was the supporter, the balancer and the soul. She created synergy with all her associates, partners and her husband that made all the difference. Many of the Ichinose men had much success but I remember over the years a lot of speechmaking and accolades that went along with that... Harriet was modest, graceful and the secret weapon of success.

More Lester

Lester and his mother Harriet

Lester and daughter Mary

Lester and his mother Harriet

Lester and son Peter

Lester Ichinose with son Edmund (left), son Frederick (right) and son Danny (holding him)

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The Ichinose Family of Hawaii

Eugene Takeo Ichinose

Capturing Moments: A Few Clippings of Eugene

Harriet Chieko Toi Eugene's wife

Harriet

Eugene and Harriet - It was meant to be

Uptown Jewelers

Children of Eugene and Harriet Ichinose

Eugene Takeo Ichinose Jr.

Lester Yoshio Ichinose

Susan Mieko Ichinose

David Kanji Ichinose