1888: The How, The Why

Larry Oda was born in a Justice Department Internment Camp in Crystal City, Texas during World War II and lives in Monterey, California.  He was educated in Monterey City Schools and earned his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees from California State University, Fresno.Larry is Chair Emeritus of the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation and served two terms as the National President of the Japanese American Citizens League. He has served on the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) National Board, and President of the BCA Coast District Council, and is currently a Trustee of the Big Sur Land Trust. He is the author of The Seapride Canning Company and the Oda Family HistoryLarry retired as the Maintenance Superintendent and Administrative Hearing Officer after 27 years with the City of Salinas, California.  His interests include US-Japan Relations, Auto Restoration, and Golf.Tim Thomas is a fisheries historian and author who has researched the fisheries and cultural history of Monterey for over thirty years