Observing the History of Emigration
The history of Okinawan emigration began in 1899. Many Higashi Village residents crossed the oceans to Hawaii, Canada, South America and elsewhere to find a better life in the new world. Perhaps they always had the frontier spirit to begin with, since they had traveled to Miyagi Island and Yonabaru by ship long before overseas emigration became an option. One ancestor built a luxurious red-roofed house near Kesaji Bay. Having amassed his wealth in Hawaii, he returned to Okinawa and built the gorgeous house, the quality lumber of which was imported from Amami Island.
