Hawaii's Korean Volcanoes - The Minn Brothers

By Richard S. Sakamoto

In the Hawaiian Islands, the two tallest volcanoes are Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, located on the “Big Island.” To use an analogy, two individuals who stand tall in the Korean community are brothers, Herbert and Albert Minn. They reached the pinnacle of success in their chosen professions – Herbert in insurance and Albert in education. Not only have they succeeded in the professions, but have been more noted in their avocations – Herbert in boxing and Albert in swimming. Both have been community leaders for decades.

This writer is fortunate to have worked with both in their professions. Albert was my supervisor and mentor when I was a student teacher in physical education. We later became colleagues in school administration. After my retirement as a high school principal, I became an insurance agent. It was my good fortune that I became an agent with Herbert at Atlas Insurance Agency in Honolulu.

The three of us are graduates of President William McKinley High School – the most prestigious of public high schools. Former U.S.Senator Hiram Fong, U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, and former Governor George Ariyoshi are among the inductees to the school’s Hall of Honor. Herbert’s and Albert’s bust-size photographs are also among those hung in the hallway of McKinley’s Administration Building. Descriptions of their achievements would merit this story.

Herbert was a million dollar producer in life insurance and a top producer in property and casualty insurance. His interest in boxing started as an amateur boxer with The Catholic Youth Organization. He later became a coach/manager of amateur and professional boxers. The highlight of his boxing career was coaching the University of Hawaii Boxing Team for ten years where he produced two NCAA champions in Roy Kuboyama and Seiji Naya. Kuboyama later became a dentist and Naya a college professor. Naya was also a State Director of Economic Development. For his contributions in boxing at the University of Hawaii, Herbert was inducted into the Circle of Honor in 1999.

Like most in boxing, Herbert believed in sharing his experience and knowledge by conducting clinics in the United States, throughout the U.S. Army Pacific area, Japan, America Samoa, etc. He served as a referee or judge in 44 world title fights throughout his career. Noted for his expertise in the sport, Herbert was selected to be a member of the Hawaii Boxing Commission in 2004 and was chosen as its chairman in 2008. Today, at age 87, Herbert continues to be active in boxing activities and still serves as the boxing commissioner.

Herbert has been a very active member of the Korean community as Korean Chamber of Commerce president. He assisted the U.S. Army of the Pacific with their visitors from Korea. In 1963, he traveled to Korea as a representative of Hawaii’s Korean community and in 1966, the U.S. Army sent him on a Goodwill Mission to Seoul, Korea. In 1968, Herbert was honored by the Korean Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii as its first “Man of the Year.”

An inductee to the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame, Albert’s life into the swimming world came about by chance. Being a football player was first and foremost. He had a “full ride” at Willamette University to play football. However, during the summer of 1947, Albert attended the American Red Cross’s National Aquatics School in Lake of the Woods, Oregon. In 1950, Albert found himself as head coach of the Sellwood Park Swim Team in Portland, OR and won his first swimming championship. The legendary Soichi Sakamoto and his Hawaii Swimming Club dominated swimming meets for many years until Albert organized his Aulea Swim Club in August 1957 and started training young people for competitive swimming. By the 1970s, Aulea Swim Club became the dominant swim club in Hawaii.

Many champions were developed under his tutelage. He was such a success that the University of Hawaii recruited him as a coach. Albert was again successful as he guided his women’s team to its Pacific Coast Association title. He helped with the USA national swim team and was an assistant swimming coach.

More a prominent figure in the swimming world, not many knew that Albert was a school principal. He was able to fulfill his responsibilities in the school and able to maintain his role as a swimming coach. This writer learned from Albert the importance of time management. Albert does not waste a minute of his time. He served as principal of Jarrett Intermediate School, Roosevelt High School, and finally at Kailua High School, where Albert lived for many years raising a family. Albert was an excellent school administrator, changing “tough” schools into reputable ones.

After his retirement from the school system, Albert became the athletic director and swimming coach at Hawaii Loa College (presently Hawaii Pacific University). In 1993, Albert again retired. Today, at age 84, Albert continues to be a key figure in Hawaii sports.

Although in their twilight years, both Herbert and Albert continue to maintain a youthful appearance and healthy living. It has been a pleasure working with both brothers. Herbert and Albert Minn have contributed much not only to the Korean community, but to the entire State of Hawaii. They are indeed Hawaii’s “Korean Volcanoes.”