Episode: Unique & Valuable the East West Center
East West Center
The East West Center was created 65 years ago by President Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican. We notice most information about the East West Center downplay Eisenhower's role and highlight Democrat Lyndon Johnson's early backing. The version coming from Our Changes will include President Eisenhower's part in founding the East West Center.
President Eisenhower
Dwight Eisenhower visited Hawaii twice as a military officer. Photo: General Eisenhower visited Kilauea Military Camp on Hawaii Island in 1946.
On May 14, 1960, President Eisenhower signed the Mutual Security Act of 1960 which authorized the creation of a Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West (East–West Center) at the University of Hawaii. This was nine months after he signed the proclamation admitting Hawaii into the Union.
Eisenhower signed the security act before departing for his Paris summit conference with Soviet Premier Nika Khrushev. These were dangerous times. The USSR had just shot down an American U-2 spy plane. The East West Center was created during the tensions of the Cold War.
The following month, after a nine day trip to Asia, President Eisenhower stopped in Hawaii on June 20, 1960 where he was greeted at the airport by six school children. The 9-year-old daughter of a 442 veteran, Annette Tokujo, gave a message to the President.
“Mr. President, Welcome to Hawaii. There are 141,000 public school children in our State and the six of us here today are speaking for them. When we read that you were coming to visit us, we wanted to let you know how proud we are of you and our country. So all 141,000 of us gave a penny each to help the East-West Center, because we believe that all children and grownup people, too, want to live in peace. We would like for you to have this little bag with a few of the 141,000 Pennies for Peace. And when the Center is ready, we hope you will come back and see it.”
Support from Hawai'i's Children
Front page Honolulu Advertiser, June 21, 1960
Six school children give President Eisenhower a bag of “Pennies for Peace” to help the East-West Center.
Dwight Eisenhower visited Hawaii as a civilian following his secret trip to Korea in December 1952. This was after his election but before he took office in January 1953. He wanted to see with his own eyes the battle conditions in Korea. As a presidential candidate, Eisenhower promised to end the Korean War, which he did on July 27, 1953, about six months after he was sworn in a president.
Motorcade Photo: With red carnation lei draped to his waist and his familiar hat in one hand, President Eisenhower waved to massive crowds lining Kalakaua Avenue in December 1952.
Photo: Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Courtesy: Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.
East West Center Alumni
Heads of State and Entrepreneurs
Graduate students from over 40 countries and from across the United States study and live together forming life-long bonds. They return to their regions and some become heads of state while others are founders of new enterprises. The East West Center's success lies in the achievements of students and conference participants who decades later have shown results in improving the conditions in their home country.
Unique in the World
There is no other program like the East West Center in the United States or in Asia Pacific. The center is unique and has thrived by being hosted at the University of Hawaii for 65 years.
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Our Mission
At Our Changes, we are telling untold stories from Hawai'i that can help change minds in Washington DC. We are producing videos and a series of podcasts. We need the resources for this important work. Using the example from 65 years ago, when children raised pennies to help the East West Center, we're asking EWC alumni and supporters to contribute to our efforts.
Our Changes is a new podcast series from We Talk Story, Inc. an educational non-profit 501 (c ) 3. Contributions are tax exempt.
contact: gloria@wetalkstory.org 808-436-8379 text