NISEI VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTER // SPRING NEWSLETTER 2020
OKAGE SAMA DE
BECAUSE OF YOU I AM...
TRY SOMETHING NEW THROUGH NVMC’S LIFESTYLE WORKSHOPS We’re kicking off 2020 with a new series of Lifestyle Workshops. Nearly everyone makes New Year’s resolutions, and often those resolutions include “trying something new.” But sometimes it’s difficult to make a long-term commitment or find the time. We want to help you keep your resolutions, and that’s why the NVMC is hosting a different workshop every third Saturday here at the Education Center. All you need is your imagination, an open mind, and a couple of hours on Saturday.
LIFESTYLE WORKSHOP CALENDAR (WORKSHOPS TEMPORARILY ON HOLD)
March 21 – Introduction to Shibori (Japanese indigo dyeing) with Kim Springer. Two workshops: 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration is $85/person (per workshop). RESCHEDULED April 18 – Introduction to Chinese Wellness with Dr. Jeff Tice of the Longevity Health Center. 1:30 p.m. Registration is $20/person.
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April 23 & 25 – Natto Workshops with Eien Hunter-Ishikawa. Thursday, April 23rd at 10:00a.m. & Saturday, April 25th at 11:00a.m. Registration is $15/person.
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April 24 – Japanese Knife Sharpening Workshop with Eien Hunter-Ishikawa. 10:00a.m. May 16 – Introduction to Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) with Reverend Shinkai Murakami. 1:30 p.m. Registration is $5/person.
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June 20 – One Stroke Art with Malorie Arisumi. 1:30 p.m. Registration is $25/person. July 18 – Introduction to Ikebana with Mrs. Kay Hanano. 1:30 p.m. Registration is $25/person.
Top: Eien Hunter-Ishikawa explains the health benefits of natto at our January Lifestyle Workshop. Below: Shibori (Japanese indigo dyeing) with Kim Springer.
Aug. 15 – TBA
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM NVMC
Sept. 19 – Flower Arrangement Workshop with Asa Ige. 1:30 p.m. Registration fee.*
Amid growing concerns of Covid-19, we have postponed our workshops and closed the Education Center to the public until further notice. During this time of social distancing, we will remain engaged with our NVMC Ohana via our website and social media. Please visit us at www.nvmc.org, on Facebook and Instagram. Feel free to call us at (808) 244-6862.
Nov. 21 – Create Your Own Japanese-Style Greeting Cards with Kim Springer. 1:30 p.m. Registration fee.* Dec. 5 – Make a New Year’s Kadomatsu with Natalie Nishimura of Kahului Florist. 1:30 p.m. Registration fee.* *Fee to be announced. Be sure to visit www.nvmc.org for our up-to-date schedule!
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Okage Sama De newsletter is a free publication issued by the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. Articles, questions and comments may be sent to Nisei Veterans Memorial Center P.O. Box 216 Kahului, HI 96733-6716 We encourage family and friends to submit information and photos to our “Lest We Forget” column.
THE NVMC MISSION The NVMC ignites human potential by inspiring people to find the hero in themselves through the legacy of the Nisei veterans.
THE NVMC VISION We envision a community where all people act selflessly for the greater good.
THE NVMC VALUES Being selfless for the greater good. Leading by example. Living in gratitude. Inspiring courage in adversity. Doing the right thing, always.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deidre Tegarden RESEARCH ARCHIVIST Melanie Agrabante DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Jill Tokuda BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian T. Moto, President Grant Nakama, Vice President Nelson Okumura, Treasurer Linden Joesting, Secretary DIRECTORS Peter Hanano Hideo Kawahara Kyoko Kimura Saedene Ota Scott Sakakihara Trevor Tokishi Rene Yamafuji NISEI VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTER 1 Go For Broke Place, Wailuku Hours: Noon to 4 P.M. Weekdays (808) 244-NVMC (6862) www.nvmc.org
Fluttering, Floating in the Breeze A Single Butterfly ~ Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902) Like the fluttering butterfly, the team at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) has been quite busy putting together a calendar for the year that definitely has something for everyone. Our exhibits in 2020 will delve deeper into the personal stories of Maui’s Nisei veterans and their families. We are expanding our research this year to include ALL family members who served in WWII, beyond just the familiar ones. Given the size of many families in the 1920s and 1930s, it’s no surprise there were countless occasions where more than one son became a soldier; for example, the Naganuma family from Lahaina and the Shimabuku family from Pa‘ia, who each had five brothers serving during WWII. By adding these new stories to our exhibits, we hope to connect even more people to their soldiers and inspire more families to share their stories, either with us or at least amongst themselves. We can’t let these stories disappear. Keep the New Year ‘new’ year-round Did you make a resolution to “try something new this year”? Well, from natto, to ikebana, to shibori (Japanese Indigo dyeing), one of our Lifestyle Workshops will be perfect for you. Everyone is so incredibly busy with family, work and extracurricular activities, it is sometimes difficult to take time for ourselves and try something we have been longing to do, but these workshops may be just the ticket. And even if they aren’t new, they will definitely be fun and friendship building. I hope the workshops we have selected, will pique your interest. More exciting news… With the guidance of Stephanie Ohigashi of the UH Maui College Office of International and Regional Partnerships, NVMC signed a memorandum of understanding at the beginning of this year with Meiji Gakuin University (MGU) in Tokyo. As a result, while MGU students are studying at UH Maui College, they will take a week to intern here at our Education Center and begin researching the Nisei soldier/family story. We are always honored to open our extensive archival collection to the visiting researchers — from our local high school students, to individuals from the U.S. Mainland and now students from Japan. We feel it is our responsibly to share the stories and sacrifices of our Nisei veterans and their families and are therefore thrilled to be extending our reach to new areas. Mahalo for your continued support. We would not be able to do what we do without it. As always, we thank you and hope to see you at the Center soon!
LEST WE FORGET
O U R D E PA R T E D C O M R A D E S
Dr. Seiya Ohata June 7, 1917 – November 2, 2019 Dr. Seiya Ohata of Kula, Maui, passed away on Nov. 2, 2019. He was 102. Seiya Ohata was born in Lahaina, Maui, on June 7, 1917, to Dr. Seiichi and Hisa Ohata. He attended Pa‘ia Elementary School, Maui High School, the University of Hawai‘i, the University of Dayton, Ohio, and the St. Louis University School of Medicine. While a senior at medical school, he volunteered to serve in the Army four times but was rejected the first three times. Upon finally being accepted, he was inducted on March 23, 1944. He spent six weeks of officer training in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was then sent overseas as a first lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps, Patton’s 3rd Army, 97th Infantry Division, 286th Regiment, Company B., Collecting Company. While serving in the Army Medical Corps, 1st Lt. Ohata was the only Japanese American known to have served in Operation Overlord — the D-Day invasion and Battle at Normandy. Immediately after the initial invasion, the Medical Corps helped to set up field hospitals to take care of the injured from the Normandy
Landing. He remained there to care of the injured from the Battle of the Bulge and later received his Honorable Discharge in Aug. 26, 1946, with a rank of captain. After the war, Seiya Ohata went to Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois, to further his medical training. He took his residency in Sherman Hospital then practiced in Elgin, Illinois, until 1948, after which he returned home to Pa‘ia, Maui, and took and passed the Hawai‘i Medical Board Exam. Dr. Seiya Ohata operated a solo practice until 1959, when he became one of the founders of Maui Medical Group where he continued his practice until his retirement in 1984. Dr. Ohata was predeceased by his wife, Kiyoka. He is survived by his three daughters, Barbara (Roy) Huntley, Myra (Michael) Reed, and Marilyn (Douglas) Sameshima; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brothers Robert Ohata, Harold Ohata, and Dr. Roy Ohata; and sisters Kay Fukuda and Tomoko Ohata.
KANSHA PRESCHOOL EARNS ACCREDITATION MARKING A COMMITMENT TO QUALITY Kansha Preschool started the New Year with a big announcement: the program in January 2020 had achieved its five-year term of accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As the largest nonprofit association in the United States representing early childhood education, the association established the accreditation system to set professional standards for highquality programs for young children. Kansha staff worked hard to prepare for an onsite visit and create portfolios showcasing the preschool’s unique program, and they remain dedicated to maintaining this mark of quality. Kansha Preschool actually began its new school year back in August 2019 with 16 excited children, including both returning and new friends. It’s now mid-year for Kansha, and the preschool has been keeping very busy with day-to-day preschool life.
Staff continue to nurture the program’s very special relationship with its neighbors at the Maui Adult Day Care Center, the preschool’s “grandma” and “grandpa” friends. This year the preschool has enhanced this area of the program by engaging in more meaningful interactions through hands-on activities. Favorite activities enjoyed include painting, working with playdough, and singing songs.
MAUI ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS - OUR VILLAGE! The purpose of Maui Adult Day Care Centers (MADCC) is to make a positive difference in your life, the life of our aging kupuna and, specifically, adults who are 18 and over, who are fortunate to live on our beautiful island of aloha. We would never be able to fulfill the needs of our clients and community without the assistance of many of our senior service providers. It truly does take a village. MADCC is thankful for having five locations throughout the island of Maui. We are grateful to Hale Mahaolu Senior Housing, the NVMC and County of Maui for providing such wonderful sites for our daily programs. Our clients are able to attend and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities with old and new friends at a minimal cost. Many of our enrolled clients may even receive scholarship assistance while their family members and/or caregivers go to work or tend to other responsibilities. We also couldn’t provide these services without our continued support and partnerships with the Maui County Office on Aging, County of Maui Council Members, Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO Transportation), Kaunoa Senior Services and Nutrition Program, Hale Mahaolu’s Talented Culinary Team and Kansha Pre-School, who we team with for our Inter-generational program. Recently, caregivers expressed (in our most recent MADCC survey) that they experienced less stress
From left to right: Margie de la Cruz, Maui Adult Day Care Center Executive Assistant; Reuben Ignacio, Executive Director of Hale Mahaolu Personal Care; Bradley Pittman, Homeownership/Housing Counseling Program; Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino; Marlynn Tanji, Program Director Homerownership/ Housing Counseling Program; and Suzanne Antounian, Maui Adult Day Care Center. knowing that their loved one is in a safe environment, supervised by a professional, compassionate and experienced team. In addition, once our clients get acquainted with their daily day care routine, caregivers have shared that they don’t feel “guilty” when their loved one attends day care. Isolation at home is not an option on Maui! Clients who attend day care regularly, show overall improvement of their physical, mental and emotional behaviors. MADCC actually becomes a routine part of their families’ daytime schedule. Clients look forward to spending the day with their new (and old) friends, enjoying scheduled excursions and daily activities.
We also provide monthly caregiver support groups and quarterly workshops throughout the year. We are so happy to have earned the reputation on Maui of being a respected resource caregivers turn to when they are in need of assistance, counseling, referrals or other vital support services. Our Kahului Office Staff alone has more than 85 years of combined experience providing assistance to Maui’s families. Recent national surveys showed that our aging seniors prefer to remain in their own homes “where they are happiest” when possible. Our aging seniors choose to remain with their own family members in familiar surroundings versus living in a multiunit care setting. Due to the services MADCC provides, clients are able to “age in place.” Attending adult day care prevents our kupuna who are experiencing a decline in their health from being admitted (or readmitted) prematurely to a hospital setting, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. The best “gift” our Maui families can give an aging family member is the “gift of day care” in a loving, funfilled environment, where clients enjoy stimulation, friendship and purpose. We are truly grateful for all of our community partners who work cohesively to make Maui the “best and happiest place to live and retire in the nation!”
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBER, TREVOR TOKISHI The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center welcomes our newest board member, Trevor Tokishi, president/ CEO of Valley Isle Community Federal Credit Union. Trevor has deep roots in the Nisei veteran community. His grandfather is Military Intelligence Service (MIS) veteran Harold Okumura. “I grew up with the importance of ‘service to the community’ being clearly articulated by my family,” Tokishi said. “In fact, my dad (Walter Tokishi) instilled in us that service to others is the purpose of life. Growing up, he always said, ‘leave the world better than you found it.’ In 2015, Tokishi and his extended family accompanied his grandfather to Okinawa to attend a special ceremony
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hosted by the Okinawan government to thank the MIS Nisei soldiers who saved so many lives in Okinawa during WWII. The trip to Okinawa had a deep impact on him. “Having the opportunity to sit and talk story with my grandfather on the trip was amazing,” he explained. “At that time, grandpa expressed his desire for us to be engaged with the Nisei community and perpetuate their story.” Indeed, the idea of service is not lost on him. When he isn’t attending board-related functions for the NVMC or his other board, Hale Mahaolu, he can be found enjoying sporting events and other outdoor activities with his wife, Judith, and three children, Dawson, Ethan “Yasu” and Peyten. When asked about what people should know about the Center, Tokishi said, “It’s important for people to know that the Center is not just the valued keeper of cherished archives of our history, it is also a values-driven organization. The values that are being perpetuated transcend ethnicity.”
KIKYO GAKUEN CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY In September 2019, Kikyo Gakuen celebrated their 40th Anniversary. NVMC Board member Linden Joesting, Tokie Ogawa of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and Deidre Tegarden had the extreme honor of visiting Hakodate to celebrate this auspicious occasion. The Kawamuras and the Kikyo Ohana made sure that the group was well taken care of, showing the three Mauians all that Hakodate has to offer. From sightseeing and eating delicious Hokkaido food to meeting the Vice Mayor and making new friends, the bond between Kikyo and the NVMC has most certainly grown stronger.
A MESSAGE FROM KIKYO GAKUEN, HAKODATE, HOKKAIDO JAPAN Konnichiwa Maui! We are Kikyo Gakuen, a school in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. Kikyo Gakuen has 280 full time students from infant age to kindergarten age, as well as an active after-school program for 70 elementary school students. I became President of Kikyo Gakuen and Principal of the Kikyo Pre-School in 2014 and came up with the idea to establish a program with native English lesson and foreign cultural experience for the future of children. After researching locations where our students can experience a culture that is different than Hakodate and is English speaking, we thought of Maui. My husband and I had vacationed in Maui in 1996 and 1997 and thought this would be a perfect location for our students to learn and experience the beautiful nature of the ocean and mountains, as well as the warm hospitality of people of Maui. Our first call was to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Japan office in Tokyo and soon after that received a telephone call from Ms. Tokie Ogawa from the County of
Maui Office of Economic Development under Mayor Alan Arakawa. We have discussed our plan and Ms. Ogawa came back with the good news that Kansha Preschool at Nisei Veterans Memorial Center would be delighted to accept our students during summer to spend some time with their students. In July 2017 we had the opportunity to come to Maui and meet the Ohana at Kansha preschool and the staff and board of Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. Four students from Kikyo in 2018 and three in 2019 were able to participate in the summer school at Kansha. Through our visit in 2017 and subsequent visits with children, we were able to see and feel the warm smiles, kindness and generosity of the people of Maui, as well as the achievements of Nikkei people and their respect of the traditions of culture and the ongoing efforts to preserve the history and values. It is difficult to experience these things on a leisurely visit to Maui, which is why it is important for us to have our students
immersed for the week-long program each year. We are certain that having a hands-on experience will contribute tremendously to the children’s growth and become a lifelong asset for them. We would like to extend our warmest Kansha to the people of Maui who have provided this wonderful opportunity to our school and children and wish for an everlasting friendship and partnership. Maui no Minasama, hope to see you every summer.
Mizue Kawamura President, Kikyo Gakuen Principal, Kikyo Yochien, Accredited Preschool
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QUIET DIGNITY, EVERLASTING HONOR.
NISEI VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTER DINNER Quiet Dignity, Everlasting Honor was the theme of the 2019 Annual Dinner. It was a splendid evening honoring our past and current heroes… those who embody the motto of “continuing service.” The Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans presented oral history transcripts, transcribed by Roy Tanaka, to the families of Willard “Lanky” Matsumoto, Howard Murakami and Wally Ueki. We thank the Chrysanthemum Court for spending the evening assisting with various aspects of the event. Each of the Court members shared a little bit about themselves and their connection to the Nisei story. For her keynote address, civil rights advocate Karen Korematsu, founder and director of the Fred. T. Korematsu Institute, shared the story of her father and his life’s work in perpetuating racial equality, social justice and human rights for all. The evening culminated with the Hero Awards. These awards recognize those current day heroes who “Continue to Serve” their community.
From left to right: Kirk Kurokawa (Legacy Award), Paul Mizoguchi (Philantropy Award), and Craig Okita (Leadership Award). Paul Mizoguchi of HouseMart received the Philanthropy Award for his generosity of spirit, treasury and wisdom. Craig Okita received the Leadership Award for his coaching numerous young men to not only be good athletes, but young men of character, who are indeed, the next generation of heroes.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie presented the Legacy Award to Maui Artist Kirk Kurokawa. Kirk spent the last several months creating the beautiful mural on the Nisei Veterans Memorial Wall, honoring our WWII heroes. The evening was made possible due to the generosity of the following sponsors: Inspiration Level Sponsors Alexander & Baldwin Arisumi Family Arisumi Brothers, Inc. HouseMart Munekiyo Hiraga Maui News NAPA – United Auto Parts Paul Mizoguchi Peter Galpin, MD Sae Design Remembrance Level Sponsors: Abbey Carpet of Maui Alaska Airlines Hawaiian Airlines James & Takane Hashi Goodfellow Bros. Inc. Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans Maui Oil Nagamine Photo Studio
NVMC Board Members. Front row from left to right: Deidre Tegarden, Kyoko Kimura, Dr. Peter Galpin, Linden Joesting, and Saedene Ota. Back row from left to right: Melanie Agrabante, Rene Yamafuji, Brian Moto, Nelson Okumura, Hideo Kawahara, Peter Hanano, and Grant Nakama.
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Hero Award Sponsors Mahi Pono Pacific Pipe Miyake Concrete
S P O N S O R S P OT L I G H T
ALASKA AIRLINES - MAKING FLYING MATTER For over 85 years, Alaska Airlines and the people who make us who we are, have been guided by integrity, caring, ingenuity, professionalism, and a unique spirit—a spirit that has grown out of our geographical roots. Who we are today is a direct result of our history and the amazing people involved in it; a long list of aviation milestones, paired with countless stories of people being remarkable to help others. All these milestones, good deeds, and community involvement have helped us grow from a small regional airline to an international carrier. With more than 44 million guests a year, our route system spans over 115 destinations and 4 countries—including over a decade of service in the Hawaiian Islands. Known for our genuine, caring service, Alaska Airlines offers the most nonstop flights from Hawai‘i to the most destinations on the West Coast, and is focused every day on creating an airline people love. Nisei Veterans Memorial Center is thankful to have the support of Alaska Airlines each year for our annual dinner.
Top Left: President Brian Moto and Karen Korematsu. Top Right: Melanie Agrabante, Jill Tokuda, and Deidre Tegarden. Bottom Left: Linden Joesting, Karen Korematsu, and Jill Tokuda. Bottom Right: Hideo Kawahara, Isaiah Gomes, and Cassidy Hanano.
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WALKING IN MY FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS IN ITALY H I S T O R I C A L S E R I E S B Y D AV I D F U K U D A
The 100th’s approach to Monte Folgorito was through Hills Florida, Georgia, Ohio 1,2, 3, and Monte Cerreta. Five years ago, a group of sons and daughters of the 100th Infantry Battalion visited Italy to attend the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino. Last year, we returned to trace the footsteps of our fathers during World War II from Alife in the south to Aulla in the north. My main motivation for taking this trip was to see where the battle of Belvedere had taken place, a battle I had studied and written about previously (Okage Sama de, fall 2018). Belvedere is a small village with less than a dozen buildings, well off the normal tourist path. This trip was also special because my younger brother, Richard, and his wife, Paula, decided to join the tour and share the experience of visiting the site where the 100th earned its first Distinguished Unit Citation and our father earned his Silver Star. On the previous Italian trip in 2014, I had visited two of the places where dad had been during the war. The first was Monte Cassino, and second was Aulla. In both cases, I was able to find accounts written about him. At Cassino (Okage Sama de, fall 2014) on
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Jan. 25, 1944, he had led Company A to a wall at the foot of Monte Cassino. The following night, he was guiding Major Jack Johnson crossing the flats when Johnson was killed by a mine. At Aulla (Okage Sama de, fall 2015), he led Task Force Fukuda (the only U.S. Army Task Force named after a Nisei). On the evening of April 24, 1945, the task force was on the river bank across the town waiting to enter Aulla the next morning.
Castle Hill. CASSINO During this visit to Monte Cassino, we explored the town of Cassino at the base of the mountain. There we located the abandoned Italian
Barracks, the former billet for the Italian Army during WWI. It was from this landmark on Feb. 8, 1944, the 100th moved up the mountain toward Castle Hill. The men made it up to the castle wall but were pinned down by German tanks and fixed positions. By the time Company A pulled out a few days later, dad’s company was down to 16 men from the 100 men with whom he started the battle. We drove up the mountain to visit the castle where reenactors dressed in Middle Age garments gave presentations to visitors. Dad, in an interview with Presidio Museum curator, Eric Saul in the early 1980s, had described reaching the castle walls, so we recognized we were right in the vicinity where dad was 75 years before. BELVEDERE Neither the maps nor the Google satellite photos I had studied prepared me for what we saw first-hand on our bus ride from Suvereto to Belvedere north of Rome. The main objective of the 34th Division was to take Mt. Calvi di Campilia with fortifications on its
Belvedere. towering 3,000-foot peak. To the east, the 442nd RCT was to move from Suvereto to Sassetta. On June 26, 1944, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions moved out of Suvereto and quickly found themselves in trouble. The 100th, filling in as the 1st Battalion of 442nd, had been held in reserve and was suddenly called in to assist. The 100th chose a path out of sight to Monte Calvi and took a German Panzer Battalion by surprise at Belvedere, culminating in a complete rout.
Nora de Bieve describing the 100th’s actions in Belvedere. What looked on paper to be a straight-forward maneuver was anything but. The one mile trek, while appearing flat on the maps and diagrams I had seen, was actually a 300-foot climb uphill from Suvereto to Belvedere. The town that Capt. Sakae Takahashi’s B Company took by surprise looked exactly as I had envisioned it, and we were able to see the route into town where dad had led A Company and then successfully chased the Germans down the hill into the orchards. This marked the third location in the Italian campaign where I was able to see exactly where dad had been at a specific date and time during his years of combat.
MONTE FOLGORITO When dad rejoined the 100th in France during the “Champagne Campaign,” he was initially assigned to his old Company A. In January 1945, he was promoted to the position of battalion executive officer, a position he held when the 442nd was recalled to Italy. I had no information on his whereabouts during this period in Italy from January until Task Force Fukuda in April. Davide Del Giudice was our guide on the day we were to go up to the summit of Monte Folgorito. Davide is a school teacher who spends virtually all his spare time combing the hills of the Gothic Line, the final defensive line Germans had set up in Italy. He took us up the 2,800-foot mountain, which was a key defensive position in the western sector of the Gothic Line. Along the way, my wife, Judy, mentioned to him that Richard and I were the sons of Mits Fukuda. Davide responded, “I am very familiar with Major Fukuda.” When we reached our rendezvous point with four WWII reenactors and their jeeps, he explained our 100th Battalion connection to them, where upon my brother and I were asked to sign our names onto one of the vehicles. After an hour-long hike followed by a steep 100-foot climb up a rocky trail, we came to a small landing overlooking the surrounding area. Near the top of
Monte Folgorito, Davide asked that Richard and I pose for photos, first just the two of us and then with him. At that point, he toggled through his phone and showed us photos of dad and Major Jack Conley, Battalion commander of the 100th, taken 75 years before on April 5, 1945, in the very spot we were standing. After two
Major Fukuda. days of combat the men of the 100th, still wearing their fight camouflage makeup, had just reached this area. This marked the fourth location I had discovered where dad had been at a particular time and place during the war. But it marked the first instance that I had found myself in the exact spot he had been. As Richard said to me later, “It was a real chicken skin moment.”
David and Richard Fukuda taking a picture where their father stood 75 years before them.
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75TH ANNIVERSARY LIBERATION OF BRUYERES, FRANCE B Y LY M A N A N D M A R I LY N M O R I K AWA “When you go to Bruyeres, look for the four hills.” “You will walk in a parade through the town.” October 18, 1944, will always be remembered in Bruyeres, France, as the day the Americans liberated the town after four years of brutal German occupation. The Americans were the Japanese-Americans of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The French people, who lived in the Vosges Mountains near the German border, had never met Americans before nor seen Americans with Japanese faces. But in their elation at being set free from German occupation, they came to realize these Americans had made supreme sacrifices in their determination to defeat the enemy. Lyman Morikawa (son of Sam Morikawa, 522nd Field Artillery Battalion attached to 442nd) and wife Marilyn of Pukalani, Maui, did see the four hills surrounding Bruyeres. They did march in the parade through Bruyeres. This was the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Bruyeres and, remarkably, such a special event is held EVERY YEAR in October. The people of Bruyeres and this northeastern region of France continue to remember and appreciate the sacrifices made by the 100th/442nd men and now pass on the history to their children and grandchildren. The American groups who had come to join the celebration were sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and other relatives/friends of the courageous, young soldiers, some of whom had
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French and American dignitaries presented short speeches and floral bouquets. The children from the Town of Bruyeres also present a bouquet from the town to honor those that liberated the town. lost their lives on French soil. With reigned-in emotions and reflective retrospection, they walked in the footsteps of the soldiers, as nearly as they could, with all the changes and the passage of time.
On Oct. 18, 2019, we entered the Vosges Mountain region of France in a comfortable bus surrounded by lovely autumn weather, a little chilly for us Hawaiians but nice with a jacket, scarf and umbrella, barely needed. Seventy-five years ago, this was the first autumn with colored leaves the boys from Hawaii would see. And, they were to experience some of the fiercest battles in Army history. Oct. 20, 2019, began with Mass at Notre-Dame Du Pays De L’Avison Catholic Church, where we sat side by side with both the French who live in the Vosges area and other Americans from across the United States and
Hawaii who had come to join the yearly celebration. Color Guards from Hawaii carried the military flags, and hula dancer Allison danced to “Hawai‘i Pono‘i.” Though we didn’t understand all the rituals and speeches in French, we definitely felt the pomp of this important event. Then we walked in the Parade through town to the War Memorial Stanislas Square. Spectators waved French and American flags, and of course we Hawaii folks passed out macadamia nut candy. Echoes of “Merci! Merci! Thank you!” rang out. Store windows showed displays of wartime memorabilia and banners waved above the main street and from second story windows of buildings. From some balconies, people waved. Seeing one frail, older lady carefully step out onto the balcony, we wondered if she was remembering when the Nisei soldiers came into town. She looked happy. The buildings looked vaguely familiar like the pictures in books, showing buildings with similar looking balconies. We could almost feel the sighs of happiness, traveling through the realms of time, from 75 years ago. We thought about the soldiers, weary but jubilant from surviving the battle, who suddenly had a jaunt in their step as they found surviving townspeople
There is a Sergeant Tomosu Hirahara Town Square, honoring the 21-yearold Hawaii Nisei who was the first soldier to fall in the battle to liberate Bruyeres. He is buried in the nearby Epinal American Cemetery, and the City of Bruyeres has adopted his grave in his honor. There is a Rue de 442nd Street sign leading up to the 442nd Monument from 1947, the Shinkichi Tajiri Friendship Knot sculpture, and the new 100th/442nd Monument on Hill 555. The official ceremony was held at the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team Monument. First dedicated on Oct. 30, 1947, it is a bronze plaque sealed in granite, telling the story of the Liberation of Bruyeres. At the request of the Nisei men, the monument was erected in the Helledraye Forest, a place of peace and contemplation to match the philosophy of the U.S. Samurai. The Friendship Knot was sculpted by 100th/442nd veteran Shinkichi Tajiri as a tribute to the strong bond between the people of Bruyeres and the Nisei soldiers. It was dedicated on Oct. 16, 1994, during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Liberation. The new monument on Hill 555 shows the design of the 442nd patch, honoring the men who fought on this hill. It was draped with colorful, folded paper cranes, the universal symbol of peace among all people. Of course, there were French and American dignitaries who presented short speeches and floral bouquets. One of the highlights was when six French children of varied ages gathered together to present the bouquet from the Town of Bruyeres. They walked up, put the flowers on the stand, and stood in a moment of respect before they turned to rejoin the crowd. U.S. Rep., Ed Case and Honolulu Mayor, Kirk Caldwell were there. Mayor Yves Bonjean of Bruyeres and Mayor Caldwell further cemented their Sister Cities relationship, begun in 1961, by planting a Japanese maple tree beside the 75th anniversary plaque.
Top: The Friendship Knot dedicated during the 50th anniversary. Bottom: New monument on Hill 555 to commemorate the 75th anniversary, honoring the men who fought. The high school band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “La Marseillaise.” The children of Bruyeres’ voices rang out singing “Hawai‘i Pono‘i” and “Aloha ‘Oe” in perfect Hawaiian. During this weekend, we sang our national anthem and Hawaiian anthem more times than we’ve done in a long, long while.
As we walked back to the bus, a woman came up and asked, “Hawaii?” We answered, “Yes, Maui.” She held up a picture, “My mother was 14 years old. She told me how the soldiers gave her chocolates,” she said in English. The townspeople and visitors were invited to a reception at the town hall and viewing of historical photos depicting the Liberation of Bruyeres. There were some familiar pictures shown in books, like the march into Bruyeres and walking through the town, but there were also some pictures unique to the town’s history. This was followed by a luncheon held at the school auditorium. In addition to the more traditional style of potatoes and beef, there was also haupia made from the powdered coconut mix brought all the way from Honolulu. Truly there is a connection between Bruyeres and their JapaneseAmerican liberators. Spanning 75 years, the connection remains strong, and may it continue as long as there are people who remember the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. May we always ensure that future generations of Americans remember and honor the bravery and sacrifices of the Japanese-American soldiers of World War II. Let us never forget! Lyman and Marilyn Morikawa October 2019
Lyman and Marilyn Morikawa with friends in front of 100th monument drapped with paper cranes.
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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NVMC FOR THE PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 2020 ARMY ($2,500 and over)
Alaska Airlines Alexander & Baldwin Arisumi Brothers, Inc. Lloyd & Pauline Arisumi In Memory of Hiroshi Arisumi Peter Galpin Hawaiian Airlines Island Insurance Foundation Munekiyo Hiraga Howard & Pam Ikeda Wayne Kikuta In Memory of Kunio & Tsugiko Kikuta Colbert & Gail Matsumoto In Memory of Sgt. Yukio “Shoemaker” Matsumoto Maui Toyota Paul & Jessie Mizoguchi Michael & Lori Munekiyo The Roy & Lorraine Okumura Foundation June Yamamoto
DIVISION ($1,000 - $2,499)
Clifford & Geraldine Beppu David & Judith Fukuda Goodfellow Brothers, Inc. Hawaii Alpha Delta Kappa Harold Hirokane Kenneth Ichikawa In Memory of Sandra Ichikawa Island Insurance Foundation Hideo & Joyce Kawahara In Memory of Irvin Yamada & Seiya Ohata Korean War Veterans Association Maui Chemical & Paper Products Maui Oil Company Mid Pacific Pest Control Richard & Judith Michaels Howard Nakamura Sae Design Leslie-Ann Yokouchi
REGIMENT ($500 - $999)
Myrtle Agrabante Ameritone Jo Davidson Foodland Supermarkets Charles & Tamara Fujinaka Jeffrey & Carol Fujioka In Memory of Hiroshi Arisumi Hamai Appliance James & Takane Hashi Nathan Higashida Earl Ichimura Gerald Kibe Carl Kobayashi In Memory of Harry Kobayashi, 442nd RCT/MIS Island Security Fence Itsuyo Kusuda Maui’s Sons & Daughters of the Nisei Veterans Albert & Julia Morita Nagamine Photo Studio Floyd & Sharon Nagoshi In Memory of Noboru Nagoshi Yukio & Jane Okuda
Warren & Helen Orikasa Jade Panting Scott Sakakihara & Linda Monden Sohnny Strong Sandra Takishita Hilton & Maria Unemori In Honor of Paul Mizoguchi Clarence Uehara Kyle & Colette Watanabe Catherine Yee Tokuji Yoshihashi In Memory of Mitsugu Jio & Haruo Ikeuchi
BATTALION ($250 - $499)
George & Joyce Akamine In Memory of Tsutomu “Tom” Nagata Roberta Arita In Memory of Takeo “Ike” Ikeda Ken & Chieko Bleau Irene Bodden GDHG Dave Graham Grace Hamasaki In Memory of Kazuichi Hamasaki Howard & Alma Hanzawa Joyce Horikawa In Memory of James Horikawa Alfred Itamura Ann Kabasawa Roy & Betty Katsuda Ronald Kawahara Maui Disposal Brian Moto Irene Nakagawa In Memory of Osamu Nakagawa Mark & Frances Oka Harold & Masue Okumura Donna Petro Aline Rolaff In Memory of Tamotsu & Howard Hamaguchi Jonathan & Jill Ross Miki Rotman In Memory of Saburo Maehara Chad Saki George & Evelyn Sano Service Rentals Daniel & Grace Shigeta Sign Source Maui Diane & Leroy Sueno Clyde Sugimoto Mike & Myriam Takamatsu In Memory of Veterans, Tad, Richard, Paul, and Toby Takamatsu Howard & Susan Takamori Bruce & Dawn Ueki Miki Yokouchi
COMPANY ($100 - $249)
Richard & Annette Arine In Memory of Raymond Iwamoto Sandra Akina In Memory of Stanley Izumigawa & Wille Goo Arthur & Ina Altman Alan & Carol Arai Amy Arakaki Thomas & Gwen Arisumi
Merle & Lorna Beghtel In Memory of Hisashi Yoshihara Michael Bissell Robert & Geraldine Carroll B. Chong Linda Cornwell Carroll Correa Masao Adeline Daida Jeffrey Eckhard Satsuki Fukunaga Myrna Fung Wessen & Lydia Furomoto Lynn Hashizaki Ronald Hayashida Christine Hondo Ralph Ichikawa Koji & Sumie Ikeda Melvin & Noreen Inamasu Linden Joesting Donna Masuda-Kam In Memory of Don Masuda, 442nd RCT Lyle & Audrey Kajihara Harold Kametani Kameya Family Nobuo Kanemoto Hideo & Jeanne Karatsu Donald & Mae Karimoto Karlynn Kawahara Fukuda Tom Kawamoto Ted & Naomi Kesaji LTC Kitagawa In Memory of George Kitagawa, 442nd RCT Gary Kondo Harvey & Charlene Makii Ha‘aheo Mansfield Michael Matsumoto George & Reiko Matsunaga Yuriko Misawa In Memory of Naoki Misawa Ramon Mitra Mark & Eolisa Mizuno Melvin Mori Lyle Morien Robert Motooka Gary & Susan Nakama Suzanne Nakata In Memory of Hiroshi Arisumi & Takeo “Ike” Ikeda Shigeru Nakamura Katherine Nakamoto Hilda Nakayama Martin Oiye In Memory of Osamu Nakagawa Leonard & Laurel Oka Sharon Okada Kim Mukai-Otani Richard Ouchi James Robinson Miki Rotman Rodney Ryugo Jed & Lynda Sasaki George Shimada Helene Shiigi In Memory of Shinso Kato Allen & Janice Shishido Joan Soma Michael Spalding
Toshiko Sugiki Clyde Sugimoto Steve Tada Brian & Helen Takaki In Memory of Susumu Takaki Ann Takakura Nobuyo & Susan Takamatsu Lance & Jin Takamiya Peggy Takashima Gary Takemoto Mark Takushi Melanie Takushi Walter & Ione Tokishi Lynne & Charles Toma Jill Tokuda Tamiko Tucker In Memory of Joseph Obayashi Lynne Uchima Ralph Ukishima Conrad Ventura Louis & Jean Wada Connie Watanabe Brian Watanabe Sueko Watanabe Randall & Susan Wilson Daryl Yamada Rene Yamafuji Ethel Yamaguchi Shoji & Shizuyo Yamaguchi Eric & Iris Yamashige Lester Yano Dale Yatsushiro Larry & Joan Yokoyama James Yoshioka
PLATOON ($25 - $99)
Francene Aarona Jeanne Abe Melanie Agrabante Wayne & Irene Akemoto Rudolph & Anne Andrade Tony & I. Arakaki Alan & Ann Arakawa Dorsa Asing Paul & Faith Bagley Marylou Barra Francis Ching In Honor of Koichi Yoshihara Dennis & Charlene Doi Patti Endo Katso Enoki
Edwin Fujinaka Phyllis & Earl Fukami Emiko Goshi Karen Griffon In Memory of Kingo & Satsue Kanechika Jeffrey Grundhauser Tetsuo & Margaret Hamada Howard & Sheryl Hamai Dayle Hanta James Hestand Brandon & Joan Higashida Calvin & Sharon Higuchi Roy & Gwen Hiraga Charles Hirata Megumi Hironaka Ramona Ho Jimmy Huybrecht Janet Inamasu Dawn Kahalehau Jan Kakiuchi S. Kawamata E.S. Kanemoto M. Kanemoto Gary & Laura Kawahara Joan Kawahara Helene Kaya Paul & Sue Kiang Lane & Arlette Kiriyama Wendy Kobashigawa Jeffrey Komoda Dennis Koyonagi Tom & Krystene Lam Patrick Matsui James Mayer Francis & Jean Miyazono Dan & Susan Michibata Jacce Mikulanec Amanda Mori Liane Muramoto Cathleen Murayama In Memory of Takeo “Ike” Ikeda” Glori Nalani Kenneth & Doris Nakakura Jenna Nakama Mason Nakamura Diane Orikasa Wallette Pellegrino In Memory of Irvin Yamada
Lynn Pilarski Grace Saito Ken Saito In Memory of Sueno & Takaaki Saito Roy & Eunice Saito Karen & Pat Saka Sharon Sakamoto Mark & Lois Sato Nancy Shimoda Stephanie Stucky Paul & Judy Suyama Earl Takabayashi Steven & Ileene Tanabe A. Tanaka Raph & Thelma Takata Gerald Takumi Joan Tamori Charmaine Tavares Harriet Tavares Deidre Tegarden Judith Tokishi Tokiaki & Patricia Toyama Nelly Uehara Stanley & Hillary Vidinhar Sharon Umeno Alan & Linda Unemori Karen Wasano Andrew & Merle Watanabe Gordon & Lynette Watanabe In Memory Sandra Ichikawa A. Waterhouse Galen Wiger Masao Yamada Ross Yamamoto Robert Yoshimori Charlene Yashiro
SQUAD ($24 and below) Ellen Brown Lilian Hiyama Kenneth Kiyotoki R.T. & Leiko Murakami Iris Nitta Gwen Omor Lolo Saldana Henry Watanabe Harvey Yatogo Yoshida Family
DONATE TO THE NVMC ENVELOPE ENCLOSED WITH NEWSLETTER Please show your support for the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center Your tax-deductible contribution will help the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center maintain the NVMC “Living Memorial” campus and fulfill its mission of promoting understanding about the history, values and culture of the Nisei veterans among our community’s children, families and visitors. For credit card contributions, please fill out and enclose bottom portion into donation envelope. For other donation options, please visit our website, www.nvmc.org or call (808) 244-6862 with any questions you may have.
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2019 CHRYSANTHEMUM BALL QUEEN CROWNED
Left: The 2019 Chrysanthemum Festival Court and their escorts from left to right: Princess Alexis Camara and Shayden Aoyagi, Princess Kokoro Yamazaki and Cael Yasutake, Queen Emma Mika Endo and Matthew Kaimiola, Princess Cassidy Hanano and Isaiah Gomes, and Princess Lauren Mitra and Kenneth Fiori. Right: Queen Emma Mika Endo. Photos courtesy of Nagamine Photo Studio. The coronation of the queen of the 67th Chrysanthemum Festival was held last year on December 7 at the Kihei Community Center. The queen is Emma Mika Endo, 16, of Wailuku, a junior at Henry Perrine Baldwin High School and the daughter of Randall and Patti Endo. The queen is the contestant who raises the most money, through ticket sales and donations, for festival
sponsor, Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans (MSDNV). Contestants represent the MSDNV and the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) at various events throughout the year. The festival was created as the Chrysanthemum Ball, a ballroomdance affair, by the Maui AJA Veterans Inc. as a way to fund its community service in areas such as youth sports,
scholarships and MSDNV’s historical preservation projects, which are done with NVMC. The veterans club was formed as soldiers returned from Europe and the Asia-Pacific areas after World War II. In 2007, the event name was changed to Chrysanthemum Festival, to focus on Japanese culture. Maui AJA Veterans turned over the event to the MSDNV before disbanding in 2016.
MAHALO DR. PETE GALPIN In this newsletter, we would like to recognize and thank a great man, Dr. Pete Galpin, a Vietnam veteran, outstanding physician, community leader, and former member of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center board of directors. Dr. Galpin is the only surgeon in the world to begin and complete his medical and surgical training from a wheelchair. He devoted many years to performing plastic and reconstructive surgery here on Maui and acquired fame for his work with helping shark
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attack victims where he also picked up the moniker, the “shark doctor.” As many of you may already know, Dr. Galpin has retired from medical practice, closed his Kahului office, and moved to British Columbia to spend time and be with family. We will miss him dearly. Pete has long been a kind, generous, and faithful supporter of the Center and its Mission, and of veterans and their legacy. We wish him, his wife Nina, and his family, all the best, and we say to him, not goodbye, but “until we meet again.”
NVMC HAPPENINGS
Earl Herbias of Jade Painting Maui applies a protective clear coating to Kirk Kurokawa’s finished mural. Rev. Kerry Kiyohara at NVMC.
Haleakala Waldorf Sophomore Class Visits the NVMC.
Eien Hunter-Ishikawa was featured in the January Lifestyle Workshop to explain the health benefits of natto.
Lions Club and students from Maui High HOSA Club stopped by and helped clean the Peace Park and watched “Our Nobler Selves.”
Ms. Jan Matsushita and her students from King Kekaulike High School AVID Club helping with NVMC campus cleanup.
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NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID KAHULUI, HI Permit No.319 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED P.O. BOX 216 KAHULUI, HI 96733-6716
SPRING NEWSLETTER 2019
OKAGE SAMA DE Maui Adult Day Care Centers Our Village! The purpose of Maui Adult Day Care Centers is to make a positive difference in your life, the life of our aging kupuna and, specifically, adults who
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are fortunate to live on our beautiful island of aloha.
Quiet Dignity, Everlasting Honor. NVMC Dinner It was a splendid evening honoring our past and current heroes… those who embody the motto of “continuing service.”
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Walking in My Father’s Footsteps in Italy We return to Italy to trace the footsteps of our fathers during World War II from Alife in the south to Aulla in the north.
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75th Anniversary Liberation of Bruyeres, France October 18, 1944, will always be remembered in Bruyeres, France, as the day the Americans liberated the town after four years of brutal German occupation.
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