Norm was not yet three years old when he, his mother, father, uncle, baby brother, and grandparents first arrived at the temporary detention center, Tanforan and then Topaz. Once in Utah, his father and uncle got work in Chicago, leaving Norm’s mother in Topaz to raise her two young sons. Norm remembers being a quiet, shy kid seemingly always surrounded by women, likely his mother’s friends, supporting her by doting on her young son. Norm also has some vivid memories of his time at the preschool that include graham crackers, milk, and naps!

The Hayashi family left behind a successful, long-running ornamental plant business in Oakland when they were forcibly removed from their homes in 1942. Learn more about the Hayashi Nursery here: http://www.janurseries.com/interview/norman-hayashi/