Thomas Matsumoto, center, is next to shake Emperor Akihito's hand as Margaret Masunaga bows and greets the emperor. Photography by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.com

Story by Bobby Command/Special to Hawaii247.com

For a man with 91 years of life experiences, you’d think Tom Matsumoto would be hard to impress.

But the Kona Acres resident received the thrill of his life when he was one of a select few to be able to shake the hand of the Emperor of Japan.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Matsumoto, a former airlines inspector.

“Lucky,” said his wife, Kay.

Matsumoto was selected with about 20 others to greet the emperor in the morning when he landed at Kona International Airport. Following a greeting by Mayor Billy Kenoi and his his wife, Takako, the emperor stopped to watch a chant by children from all over the Big Island before moving to the group of Japanese Americans.

“He came right to us and shook our hands,” said Matsumoto. “I have been to Japan many times, but I have never seen the emperor there. Then he comes here, right where I live,” said Matsumoto as he pointed up the hill to Kona Acres. “I have tears in my eyes right now.”

Thomas Matsumoto stands amongst a crowd of residents who met Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at Kona International Airport.