Oral history interview with Kaku Makino and Masako "Julie" Ishitsuka conducted by Kristel Peralta, Vanessa Concepcion, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Stefani Evans on March 22, 2021 for the Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Makino discusses his early life in Tokyo, Japan and becoming a chef. He recalls arriving to the United States in 1989, establishing the Todai (now Makino Sushi & Seafood Buffet) restaurant chain, and opening nineteen locations in California, Florida, and in Hawaii. Kano talks about her upbringing in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan and describes Japan during the Meiji era. She remembers arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2000 and the cultural change she experienced. Lastly, Makino and Kano discuss the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Text
Archival Component
Image
Image
Various photographs of Billy Mason and others, presumably his family, at Billy Mason's bar mitzvah. 120mm negatives.
Image
On March 15, 1981, Robert A. Kamp interviewed Donald (Don) L. Eckert (born 1953 in Las Vegas, Nevada) about his experiences while living in Nevada. Eckert first explains the geographical boundaries of Las Vegas when he was first born and the types of recreation in which both youth and adults would take part. Eckert then discusses the Helldorado events and how they have changed over the years before describing how the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has changed as well. The interview then shifts to the topic of Eckert’s college major, hotel management, and then to a brief discussion about the MGM fire. Eckert also talks about horse racing in Las Vegas, changes in gaming, the Basic Magnesium plant, and the development of Mount Charleston. The interview concludes with Eckert’s thoughts on the legalization of gambling in other states and how that trend relates to the future of Las Vegas.
Text
