Thanks to the tireless efforts of the generations after World War II, Japanese Americans eventually received a presidential apology and $20,000 to each living former detainee after the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.
However, returning to life post-incarceration meant overcoming new difficulties for many, including re-building their businesses and communities.
Following WWII, Frank and Miye (Shiogi) Yoshitake moved to the Beacon Hill area in Seattle, and in the summer of 1955 they moved to Redmond, in search of "good soil" and a place to call home.
They purchased land on Avondale Road, with enough space for a house, a home for Frank’s parents, and two businesses: Sunset Gardens Nursery and the Lil’ Augusta Golf Course.
The Minidoka Irrigator: April 1, 1944
www.loc.gov/item/sn84024049/1944-04-01/ed-1/.
Frank said Redmond was a welcoming and friendly locale, a "hub with spokes on a wheel" leading to Kirkland, Bellevue, and other Eastside areas.
Lil’ Augusta Golf Course boasted a par 3, 18-hole course, beautifully landscaped with specimen and fruit trees throughout. It wasn't unusual for golfers to pick an apple, Asian pears, or berries while golfing.
As a self-educated landscape designer, Frank had accumulated much of his experience at Minidoka Relocation Camp outside of Jerome, Idaho.
Over the course of his career, Frank’s name was attached as architect, builder, or landscape designer to a number of other local golf courses, including the Carnation Golf Course (now The Blue Heron Golf Club).
Frank and Miye passed away in 2013 and 2011, and are buried at the Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue. They left a lasting legacy in every community; their list of accomplishments, memories and devotion to those communities are remembered fondly to this day.
The North American Post: May 5, 1967
Translated by Yurino Oguro:
Last October, Frank Yoshitake, a local Seattle Nissei* (Second generation Japanese American), bought a huge tract of land (in partnership with Bob Tachell and Fred Ewing*) located between Carnation and Fall City in order to spend a vast portion of his fortune making a new golf course. The golf course was recently completed and dubbed Carnation Golf Course. Opening Day festivities were held on May 6 and May 7. All Nikkei golfers will be welcomed by Mr. Yoshitake, who promised to offer as many benefits as possible to bring players to the new golf course.
*Additions made for clarity.
In addition to archives held by the Redmond Historical Society, this summary was put together with the help of public records, as well as published obituaries.
Daughter Linda Hussey purchased an “In Memoriam” Lifetime Membership in March 2021, continuing to recognize a lifetime of service from her parents. Thank you to Redmond Historical Society Membership Chair Paige Norman for her article on the family's history and accomplishments: https://www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org/post/frank-miye-yoshitake-a-lifetime-of-service
Please view the article linked above for more articles and documentation.