The program "Platinum Family: A Glimpse into the Lives of Extraordinary Families" (TV Asahi, Tuesdays at 7 PM, excluding some regions) introduces the lifestyles of "glamorous families." On March 31st, the program will focus on an unconventional family living in Hawaii with strong ties to Japan.
Damon, who once owned a vast 6,000-acre plot of land stretching from the mountains to the ocean in Honolulu, Hawaii, is the owner of Moanalua Gardens, home to the famous Hitachi tree featured in the Hitachi commercial "What Kind of Tree Is This?".
Damon's great-grandfather inherited the land from the Kamehameha family, and the sheer scale of it left MC Chisako Takashima speechless, saying, "I don't understand... How do they pay the taxes?" Many Japanese tourists visit the site, and apparently Prince Akishino and his wife also visited three years ago.
Furthermore, it was discovered that Damon's great-great-grandfather, who worked as a missionary in Hawaii, was a benefactor of John Manjiro, who was active from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. Manjiro, who served as an interpreter for the shogunate when Commodore Perry arrived in Japan and became a bridge between Japan and the United States, was rescued by an American ship captain when he was adrift at sea at the age of 14.
He later went to Hawaii, where Damon's great-great-grandfather took great care of him. This anecdote has led Damon to say that he "feels a connection to Japan and cherishes the Japanese people who visit."
The grandson of mystery writer Edogawa Ranpo will also appear on the program, and will be given special access to the storehouse at Ranpo's former residence.
