Early childhood
Mas Hatano was born in Sacramento in 1928 and grew up near Isleton, CA, to parents who immigrated from Japan. In 1942, his family was uprooted from their home, school, and livelihood and incarcerated at Tule Lake concentration camp. “We stayed at Tule for about three years and were released around June, 1945, when I was 17,” he remembers. “I recall my older sister came home from school at camp and told me she was taking a typing class. She showed me a piece of paper with the keyboard drawn on it and told me she was supposed to practice typing on it.”
As Mas recalls the various chapters of his life, he’s grateful for family, his career, his volunteer opportunities and his health. He actively recruits ACC Greenhaven Terrace residents to participate in the Wednesday morning walking club. “It’s just a short walk, but I enjoy the camaraderie and conversations,” he commented.
Active at ACC and elsewhere
Recently Mas joined ACC’s Legacy Corps and participated in training to become a Friendly Visitor to provide companionship to other elders while giving their caregivers a respite. His impact on people of all ages reaches far and wide in Sacramento. He has volunteered for 26 years at the California State Railroad Museum, and 18 years with the California Museum. Mas has also been a docent at the State Capitol and taught the safe driving course to seniors for AARP. During the school year, he teaches children about his experiences at Tule Lake. He has developed a PowerPoint presentation that he shares with Sacramento State and local college students throughout the year.
Accomplished athlete
When Mas retired from his job as a civil engineer with the State of California, he pursued biking and travel. “In my 70s, I biked over 7,000 miles a year for a number of years and I’ve biked in France, Japan, South Korea and even Mongolia. Mongolia was not very interesting, it was like biking in Nevada,” he reflected.
ACC Volunteer Coordinator Kim Fujiwara shared said, “Mas is a phenomenal human being. He represents kindness, wisdom, curiosity and forgiveness. He challenges others to keep moving towards their dreams.”
Encouraging others
Mas is among the many older adults that have benefited from the healthy activities at ACC Senior Services. He regularly encourages others to take up walking, and other fitness classes, and to volunteer in the Legacy Corps program.
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