MSG was popular in Hawaii when I was a kid for obvious reasons. Lots of Asians there. The brand we used was Ajinomoto. I still use it today as I have never had a problem with MSG (The whole Chinese food syndrome thing was a bunch of BS) and I agree it adds a wonderful umami flavor to foods.
It also brings to mind the following stupid little joke we learned as kids growing up there:
Q: What did the Japanese farmer say after he dropped the ax on his foot?
A: A gee!… No mo toe…
