Harry Minoru Urata

2001 Silversword Award for Cultural Excellence Recipient

Harry Minoru Urata was born in Honolulu on August 2, 1918. Urata, a Nisei, remembered the music listened to by his parent's generation, who worked in the plantations in Hawaii. As these families moved off the plantation into the larger, assimilated Hawaiian community, it was the Nisei, the children of the original immigrants, who worked to set up a community support system with independent businesses, Japanese language schools, newspapers and religious temples and who kept their former homeland's music alive not only for themselves, but their parents as well. Urata and his friends took it upon themselves to organize small orchestras to play at Japanese-Hawai`i gatherings, at temple and teahouse parties, theatrical concerts, weddings, yakudoshi (40th birthday) and other birthday parties. In 1937, Urata organized the Shinko Orchestra and in 1938, was the Grand Prize winner in an island-wide song contest.

When WWII started in 1941, Urata was interned in Honouliuli before he was shipped off to a Mainland internment camp. After the war, he reformed his orchestra, now to entertain the troops coming back home, especially the Nisei soldiers of the 442nd Combat Regiment and the 100th Battalion, who fought in Europe.

Urata went to Japan in September 1949 to study with composer Masao Koga; later, he became an interpreter for the occupation forces there. When he returned to the islands, he did various things, such as serve as a translator at Hawaii Hochi, ad solicitor at the Honolulu Advertiser and program manager at a local Japanese radio station.

During his music career he also studied under, Masao Yoneyama and Raymond Hattori. He received piano lessons from Nobuo Ebesu, Frederick Hayashi, Clem Low and Benny Saks, and for guitar he studied under George Alameida and Larry Fukunaga. Urata received voice lessons under Kiyoji Tatsumi.

On June 12, 1985, received a letter of commendation from Japanese Foreign Minister, Shintaro Abe for contributions made to promote goodwill between Japan and Hawaii. During the centennial Banquet in 1985, was honored and privileged to sing the renowned Hole Hole Bushi in the presence of his Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi and Princess Hanako. In 1986, was commended by Japanese junior chamber of commerce and Kuakini Medical Center for his musical contributions to the community. On October 23, 1990, received a letter of commendation from the Hawaii Kimono Culture Foundation for contributions made to promote Japanese culture in Hawaii. On May 17, 1992, received a letter of commendation from the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii, for promoting the essence of the Japanese art of music. In 1993, Urata was asked to be the Historical Japanese Music Advisor and also appeared in the movie picture Bride ・ In March of 1994 and 1995, was appointed as a head judge for the Cherry Blossom Red and White song contest. In February 1997, the recording of Hole Hole Bushi was completed with outstanding singers and musicians.

On October 6, 1999, the Hole Hole Bushi was added to the Asian collection at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. With the help of Dr. Franklin Odo, counselor Provost at the Smithsonian, the Hole Hole Bushi is now being preserved. On May 27, 2000, Allison Arawkawa, prot of Harry Urata won the Championship of the NHK Song Contest singing Hole Hole Bushi. This song is known not only in Hawaii, but also in the Mainland USA and Japan. During the 48 years of teaching as vocal instructor at the Urata Music Studio, many local talents have been developed and perfected through his idance and untiring efforts. Most recently, Urata's Hole Hole Bushi was sung by Allison Arawkawa on NHK's 2002 drama series Sakura.