Murder Hawaiian Style

JC tried to reassure the clerk. “Well, I can assure you that I am not here to make trouble. I just want to ask him a couple of questions.”

The clerk raised one eyebrow. “Good luck. I don't think he or any of his cohorts would be too good at answering questions. Try the pool.” With that the clerk turned his back firmly on JC.

JC spotted Hayashi at the far end of the pool deck lounging in a reclining deck chair. He was wearing what JC had come to recognize as his signature attire, a white jump suit and large dark glasses that completely obscured his eyes. He had a tall glass in his hand held rather high with his elbow propped on the arm of the plastic lounge. JC approached and stood at the foot of the chair. Hayashi made no sign that he was aware of JC's presence.

Finally JC spoke, “Mr. Hayashi might I have a word with you?”

Slowly the man turned his head in the direction of JC, apparently staring through his impenetrable glasses, and then slowly turned away, assuming the pose he had displayed on JC`s arrival. JC sensed that this interview would not be easy.

`Mr. Hayashi, could I ask you a couple of questions?”

The Japanese gentleman turned back to JC but did not reply.

“Mr. Hayashi, I don't speak your language. Perhaps I am not making myself clear.”

Hayashi blurted out, “I speak English. What do you want?”

“I was wondering if you could tell me a little about some of the Japanese farmers here in the Hilo area?”

“I have nothing to say to you,” Hayashi said abruptly.

“The Navy is doing an investigation. Information from you might be of assistance,” said JC.

Hayashi sat up and put his glass on the deck beside his chair and pushed his glasses up onto his forehead. JC could see that angry eyes peering out from slits in the puffy lids of this gangster's face were skewering him. “I have nothing to do with U.S. Navy. Please not bother me.” With that he lowered his glasses again and leaned back in his lounge chair.

JC was beginning to feel a bit angry himself at this point. “Look, Mr. Hayashi. I have a job to do for the U.S. Navy. You are not making it any easier. I won't take much of your time.”

This time, Hayashi put his feet on the deck and looked as if he was about to stand and confront JC. “He snatched off his glasses and, gimlet-eyed, jabbed a finger in the direction of JC's nose. “Navy uniform mean nothing. You leave now.” With that he leaned back again and fished his drink up off the deck and took a large swig before turning his head and looking across the pool away from JC.

JC Gave up and started back toward the hotel lobby. As he walked along beside the pool a white haired man, apparently of Japanese or oriental ancestry, fell into step beside him. He looked at the man in mild surprise.

The man spoke. “Pardon me, Lieutenant, I couldn't help but observe that little scene back there. Maybe we could have a cup of coffee in the hotel coffee shop. You look like someone that has not had the pleasure before of meeting up with that - uh - sort of person. It can be quite a shock.” He smiled broadly and gestured to the left where there was an entrance into the breakfast area.

“Thank you Mr.…”

“My name is George, George Yoshida. I live around here.”

They found a table and sat. JC opened the conversation, “You are right Mr. Yoshida. A first encounter with a member of yakuza organization is not easily forgotten I am sure.”

Yoshida said, “Lieutenant, please don't worry. These bozos are out of their element here. They don't belong here. They have money to spend and they come here out of a certain sense of nostalgia. They wish that they had won the war and that this would be their stomping ground. But it is not. They don't belong anywhere but sadly the Japanese authorities have seen fit to put up with them so I guess you could say they belong in Japan.” Mr. Yoshida took a swig of his coffee and continued, “But you seemed to have business with him. That is strange. Can I help you at all? I have been here for most of my life.”

JC wasn't sure just how to take this unexpected offer. He didn't have any idea who this person was nor why he would have an interest in a Navy Lieutenant's business with a member of the Japanese criminal class.

Again JC decided to play his hunch and trust this kindly little Japanese gentleman with some of the facts. “Mr. Yoshida, I need some information concerning Kanakanui Kapulo'u. Do you by any chance know him?”

Yoshida grinned, “Oh yes. Kanaka played with my children while they were growing up. This is a small community, Lieutenant. What do you need to know?” Then he raised one eyebrow, “And, what in the world does it have to do with that?” He turned and nodded his head in the direction of the pool and the now invisible Hayashi.