PORTLAND, Ore. — Bill Naito was a successful businessman and a civic leader in Portland during the 1970s, 80s and early 90s.
"He was absolutely a visionary," said Erica Naito-Campbell, his granddaughter. "He made it feel like everything was possible, and so then, you felt motivated in a way you didn’t before."
Naito-Campbell, a Japanese American woman, is committed to recording and honoring her grandfather's legacy. After a decade of researching and writing, she published a biography in March detailing Naito's life. The book is titled "Portland's Audacious Champion: How Bill Naito Overcame Anti-Japanese Hate and Became an Intrepid Civic Leader."
Naito invested in so many of the landmarks that Portland in known for, including the Galleria, Pioneer Square, the iconic white stag sign, the Japanese American Historical Plaza and Montgomery Park.
Naito-Campbell noted that Pioneer Square is adorned with a Christmas tree each winter, thanks to her grandfather.
"'We're going to have a Christmas tree; we're going to have a big Christmas tree,'" she said, recalling Naito's words. "It's going to be a place where everyone will come together every Christmas and be a community."
She described Naito as a man who wanted to create a place everyone could thrive, adding that he "laughed constantly." But behind his smile, there was also incredible pain from his past.
In December1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor during World War II. At the time, Naito was a teenager. Just a few months after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of at least 120,000 Japanese Americans in the U.S.
Naito and his family were forced out of Portland, along with any other Japanese Americans on the West Coast. The Naitos were able to move in with family in Utah.
"It devastated him for the rest of his life," Naito-Campbell said.
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After high school, Naito enlisted in the army and served for two years. Naito-Campbell said he felt the need to show his commitment to the U.S. The pivotal moment in history propelled Naito into a life marked by determination.
"He wanted to prove that he was an American, he was a great Portlander and he deserved to be there," she said.
For decades, he more than proved himself, salvaging failing buildings, bringing housing to the waterfront and transforming downtown Portland into a place people wanted to live and work.
"Bill’s catchphrase was 'This is a great day and a great city, and we have a great future,'" she said. "I think this city needs to remember what it’s like to have hope and dreams and belief."
"Because of Bill," an exhibit that shares an in-depth look at Naito's life, is on display at the Japanese American Museum of Oregon from May 4-Sept. 1. The exhibit is inspired by Naito-Campbell's book.
"What a fitting exhibition to host during AANHPI Heritage Month. Bill Naito not only fought for the livability of Portland for its citizens; he also saw the value and importance of preserving crucial historic buildings," said Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong, the executive director of the Japanese American Museum of Oregon. "The Japanese American Historical Plaza would not be here today if it weren’t for his advocacy with the city. We look forward to celebrating all Bill Naito did for Portland."
KGW's Breaking Barriers series features Oregonians making a difference in the world of sports, arts, government, business and more. You'll see stories throughout May featuring stories for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. You can watch them all here.