Key Portland figure Bill Naito explored in new book

A recently published book tells the story of an integral man who helped guide the future of Portland. Chances are you have even seen his name on a major thoroughfare on your commute through downtown.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A recently published book tells the story of an integral man who helped guide the future of Portland. Chances are you have even seen his name on a major thoroughfare on your downtown commute.

Erica Naito-Campbell, granddaughter of Bill Naito, wrote "Portland's Audacious Champion," the biography of the undaunted civil servant. She believes his story of overcoming adversity and naysayers as he helped mold downtown should be shared.

"He dedicated his life to making this area vibrant. To make it welcoming to suburban housewives to come to Import Plaza in the 60s to also a place where the downtrodden had homes," she said. "There was no book about that and I felt that the city needed to know and needed to remember."

Naito-Campbell added the book is important to read because it tells the history of Portland from a time period that isn't covered often - when Portland became a livability icon from the 1960s to 1980s.

Further, the biography explores how, even though the racism and xenophobia of World War II traumatized her grandfather, he confronted his trauma by becoming a successful businessman who aimed to make Portland better for future generations to experience.  

There is also currently an exhibit on Naito's life at the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.
The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.