Okage Sama De Spring 2023

OKAGE SAMA DE THE 10 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NVMC EDUCATION CENTER

BECAUSE OF YOU I AM...

The NVMC Education Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary this April.

If it feels like the center has been around for longer than a decade, that’s because it has. Much longer, in fact. Although it opened in April 2013, the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation more than 20 years earlier, in 1991. Its roots extend even further, to 1981, when Leonard Oka founded Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans to preserve and perpetuate the legacy of the veterans.

Together with Maui Nisei veterans groups and individuals, the Sons and Daughters pursued the seemingly impossible dream of establishing a repository and education center: a living memorial to the World War II heroes. As Leonard told The Hawaii Herald in 2014,

“It’s been a long journey. It’s something I feel good about – not to brag about. I always think to myself that the veterans, that generation, proved themselves. What did our generation do?... So if I can say my contribution is that I helped the veterans’ story to continue, then that’s it.”

Indeed, from the day its doors opened 10 years ago, the Education Center has shared that story and ensured its perpetuity. Every program, exhibit, and event presented at the center is

in keeping with the NVMC mission of igniting human potential by inspiring people to find the hero in themselves through the legacy of the Nisei Veterans. This year’s upcoming offerings are no exception.

In commemoration of the auspicious anniversary, archivist Melanie Agrabante and volunteers Kyle Watanabe, Charlene Doi, and Irene Bodden are curating an exhibit which will highlight the center’s many achievements and activities. Over the past decade, the NVMC has hosted a dozen or so exhibitions and countless presentations, both on campus and out in the community. The 10th anniversary display will open in early April, for two months.

On Saturday, April 15, artist Kirk Kurokawa will be the featured speaker of

the month. “This will finally allow us to properly acknowledge the work he did on our mural,” says NVMC executive director Deidre Tegarden. “When he finished it, we were supposed to have an event, but COVID hit the weekend prior, so we had to cancel everything.”

The third weekend of each month will feature either a guest speaker, a workshop, or a “Yakamashii!” talk story session. Attendees (both in-person and virtual) can look forward to ikebana and rock wrapping workshops, several Afternoons with the Author, and guest speakers including Dr. Duncan Ryuken Williams (see “Ireicho” article on page 10) and “Yakamashii!” guests Uluwehi Guerrero and Eric Gilliom.

Maui Veterans of the 442nd, 100th, 1399 and MIS gather to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Education Center on April 13, 2013.

Letter from the Executive Director

Since February 19, 2022, we have held twelve workshops from shibori fabric dying, painting to ikebana; eight book signings; eighteen movies…from a Studio Ghibli animation festival to Lane Nishikawa’s “Only the Brave”; twelve in-person talks from Kathy Collins’ Yakamashii to ones about Enka and Anime; one Frank Sinatra evening; one modern dance recital, a preschool graduation and five intergenerational gatherings for Kansha and Maui Adult Day Care Center with Uncle Wayne and his guitar. Not to mention our twenty-five zoom programs!

We hosted politicians, school groups, community groups, and university students from Japan and England. Over 1,700 people came to see our exhibits. NVMC additionally held our very first Golf Tournament, participated in the Okinawan Festival on Oahu, and walked several miles for Charity Walk. We ended 2022 with our Annual Dinner celebrating the Heroes in our community – Zenshin Daiko, Janna Hoehn, and Valerie Matsunaga with an amazing keynote speech by the talented and gracious Hollywood actress Tamlyn Tomita, followed by a special book signing and exhibit by Los Angeles Photographer Shane Sato.

With all of these activities under our belts, we are ready for an exciting 2023, which we commenced with a very special Hatsudate Tea Ceremony thanks to Tankokai Maui.

The SIRC has allowed us to expand our reach by bringing new people to the Center while allowing the downstairs Education Center to go back to being a full-time space for exhibits.

As our former External Director, now Congresswoman Jill Tokuda shared in her remarks at the opening “the NVMC was built on a foundation of gratitude and humility in honor of those who came before us. Each brick laid was thanks to the sacrifice and selflessness of many who embraced the values of our Nisei veterans. They had the vision to carry on the legacy of our Nisei and to inspire people to find the hero within themselves.” Truly a community effort for a community space.

NVMC will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Education Center this April and we have a myriad of exciting events planned. Of all the things that we do - workshops, programs, talks - the most exciting aspect is sharing the personal stories, incredible bravery, and world-changing legacy of our Nisei veterans and their families. Nothing is as rewarding as helping family members learn about their grandfathers’ time in WWII or sharing the history to someone new to the Nisei story. The perpetuation of the story has always been our foundation, our reason for existing, and that will never change…no matter how many movies or workshops we add to the calendar.

We love the new SIRC space and look forward to seeing you (in person or virtually) at upcoming events. Remember, we always have a cup of tea or coffee waiting for you.

Sincerely,

This time last year I was writing about the opening of the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center (SIRC). It is hard to believe that a year has gone by, and what a year it was.

LR: Chrysanthemum Queen Kaitlin Kitagawa, Princess Emi Sado, DT and Princess Ava Takahama

THE OKAGE SAMA DE newsletter is a free publication issued by the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center.

We encourage family and friends to submit articles, information, photos, questions, and comments to Nisei Veterans Memorial Center

P.O. Box 216

Kahului, HI 96733-6716

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kyoko Kimura, President

Grant Nakama, Vice President

Trevor Tokishi, Treasurer

Linden Joesting, Secretary DIRECTORS

Peter Hanano

Rachelle Ouye

Cummins ‘Bo’ Mahoe

Michael Munekiyo

Colbert Matsumoto

Catherine Shimizu

Jan Yokouchi

Dana Young

NISEI VETERANS

MEMORIAL CENTER

1 Go For Broke Place, Wailuku

Hours: Noon to 4 P.M. Weekdays

By Appointment Only

(808) 244-NVMC (6862) www.nvmc.org

Continued from Page 1

The popular Monthly Movie Matinee, presented by Maui Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans, will be held on the second Saturday of every month, featuring a variety of informative and entertaining films.

Special events in this anniversary year will include a benefit golf tournament, an Akira Kurosawa film festival, and the 20th annual NVMC dinner.

Specific dates and details of each program will be advertised in the NVMC

Weekly Wednesday Update and on the NVMC website (nvmc.org). To ensure you don’t miss any of the upcoming events, subscribe to the e-mail list (sign up on the website) and follow the center on Facebook (facebook.com/MauiNVMC).

Visits to the center’s exhibits, including the 10th anniversary retrospective, will continue to be by appointment only, during the hours of noon to 4pm, Monday through Friday.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FUTURE EVENTS OR TO REGISTER: CALL (808)244-6862 | VISIT NVMC.ORG

OPENING IN APRIL 2023

10th Anniversary Exhibit

Opening in early April.

APRIL 08, 2023 | 1PM DOORS OPEN

Monthly Movie Matinee

Free! Reservations required. Hosted at the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center.

APRIL 15, 2023 | 3PM

Afternoon with Kirk Kurokawa

Hybrid Event on Zoom & In-Person.

APRIL 29, 2023 | 10:30AM

Ikebana Workshop

Cost: $45.00 per person

MAY 13, 2023 | 1PM DOORS OPEN

Monthly Movie Matinee

Free! Reservations required. Hosted at the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center.

JUNE 10, 2023 | 1PM DOORS OPEN

Monthly Movie Matinee

Free! Reservations required. Hosted at the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center.

JUNE 17, 2023 | 1:30PM

“Yakamashii!” with Kathy Collins & Uluwehi Guerrero

Hybrid Event on Zoom & In-Person.

JULY 08, 2023 | 1PM DOORS OPEN

Monthly Movie Matinee

Free! Reservations required. Hosted at the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center.

JULY 15, 2023 | 9:30AM & 12:30PM

Zen Rock Workshop

Cost: $45.00 per person

AUGUST 12, 2023 | 1PM DOORS OPEN

Monthly Movie Matinee

Free! Reservations required. Hosted at the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center.

AUGUST 19, 2023 | 1:30PM

“Yakamashii!” with Kathy Collins & Eric Gilliom

Hybrid Event on Zoom & In-Person.

Monthly Movie Matinees

By: Leonard Oka

ON EVERY SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH,

the Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans (MSDNV) sponsor a free movie in their Monthly Movie Matinee series. Doors open at the Stanley Izumigawa Resource Center at 1 p.m, and the movie begins at 1:30 p.m.

For years the MSDNV and the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) have been collecting a library full of books, movies, and oral histories that tell the story of the Nisei Veteran’s World War II experience. Also found in the collection are other historical, educational and cultural information. It has been stored away for years in a safe and environmentally controlled archival room found within the downstairs “Educational Center” at the NVMC campus. Most visitors to the center were not aware of this treasure of resource material available for viewing. The MSDNV decided it was necessary to share this information with the general community. It was determined that a free public showing of one movie per month would be a great way to share this collection with the community, and the “Monthly Movie Matinee” was born!

At one of its general membership meetings on Jan. 19, 2019, the club introduced its first movie, “Under the Blood Red Sun.” A small handful of members enjoyed a free movie, snacks and refreshment. It was followed, several months later by a continuous monthly showing of movies of various topics. (A break was taken for pandemic concerns).

Many of the movies chosen were related to the subject matter covered in the then— current historical and educational exhibit being displayed at the Education Center. Exhibits included photos from the Toyo Miyatake exhibit, 442nd

exhibit – Part II, Korean War exhibit, Internment exhibit, and a recent photo exhibit of photographer, Shane Sato’s portraits from his two books, “The Go For Broke Spirit.” Featured in the January MMM was an oral history interview done on WWII and Maui physician, Dr. Seiya Ohata, whose portrait was part of the photo exhibit by Sato. Of course, a must was to show the original movie, “Go For Broke,” starring Van Johnson and featuring several veterans of the original 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team! For a change of pace, the February movie was “The Wind Rises,” a 2013 Japanese animated historical drama film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, animated by Studio Ghibli.

The Wind Rises was the highest-grossing Japanese film in Japan in 2013. Approximately 40 people enjoyed this movie, which was nominated for several awards including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Curating this event was student, Raina Ouye, who volunteers at the center when she is home on vacation from college.

Attending the Monthly Movie Matinee is a fun way to enjoy the second Saturday of every month! The event, along with snacks and beverages, are FREE, but reservations are a must!

Call the center to reserve your seat at (808) 244-6862. Go to the NVMC website, nvmc.org, for updated information on upcoming movies.

SPONSORED BY THE MAUI’S SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE NISEI VETERANS

Interview with Raina Ouye

By: Deidre Tegarden

A KEEN INTEREST IN HISTORY, Japanese culture, and personal knowledge of the Nisei story (her great uncle was 442nd Regimental Combat Team veteran Toshio Ansai) make Raina Ouye a perfect fit for the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC).

A junior at UH-Hilo, Raina has been helping at the center on her college breaks for the past several years. Going out on sales calls, selecting recipes for the Weekly Wednesday Update, and assisting with the day-to-day office tasks have been a huge help for the NVMC, but it is perhaps being involved with our movie events that excites Raina the most.

“I really like anime (Japanese animated movies),” Raina said. “Anime is different than cartoons, and has the ability to relay difficult topics in a more accessible form. Like last week’s Movie Matinee ‘The Wind Rises’ about Jiro Horikoshi, the Japanese engineer who designed fighter planes during WWII. Anime is a great way to learn about history.”

An East-Asian history major, Raina shared that it is important to learn not only the mistakes of the past — so that we don’t make them again — but that there are many important lessons and values handed down through the generations that are very relevant today.

“We can make better decisions today, by understanding the ‘whats, whys and hows’ of the past,” she explained.

Raina is currently studying the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. “It was a time of change. The Emperor wanted to modernize Japan but the Samurai wanted to keep their traditions. The conflict between wanting change and keeping traditions is very interesting to me. I wonder how it would have been if each side could have embraced each other a bit more. I think

the anime ‘Demon Slayer’ speaks to this battle of change versus tradition … maybe that’s why it’s my favorite.”

When asked what she likes most about working at the NVMC, Raina sited that she likes learning how to work in a business setting including having a dress code and engaging with lots of different people. “But I really enjoyed getting to learn more about my great uncle, as well as talking with Mr. Nagoshi about his father.”

When she is not working at the office, Raina enjoys golfing with her dad, playing with her baby nephew, and she is currently getting ready for a semester abroad at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.

“After I graduate I want to work at the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center,” she said.

“I would like to try my hand at creating an exhibit geared toward the younger generation. Maybe something like how manga

and anime can tell the story of WWII. There are a number of manga and anime that speak specifically to WWII including Studio Ghibli movies, Stacy Hayashi’s ‘Journey of Heroes’ and the manga and anime ‘Barefoot Gen.’”

Whatever Raina decides to do, we know that she is going to make a positive impact on the world, and we can’t wait to see all that she does!

“We can make better decisions today, by understanding the ‘whats, whys and hows’ of the past”

RAINA OUYE

UH Hilo Junior & NVMC Seasonal Staff

Monthly Movie Matinee showing of ‘The Wind Rises.’

ALOHA from Maui Adult Day Care Centers

Happy New Year from Maui Adult Day Care Centers’ board of directors, staff, clients and caregivers. We truly hope your 2023 is blessed.

Maui Adult Day Care Centers’ New Year started out with change. Brenda Ramos, who was one of the “lead staff” at our “Ocean View Center” (OV) retired after 17 years of service. Brenda’s last day with OV clients and staff was December 29.

The OV team can easily recall Brenda being hired in 2005. We were excited to have her and saw her as the perfect person to oversee the opening of OV in 2006 at the Nisei Veterans Memorial site. Brenda cared for her mother, grandmother and father on the home front, while providing care for our clients on a professional level. Growing up on Maui and having a history with many of Maui’s families made it easy for Brenda to bond with OV clients and their caregivers and families. Whenever an intake was scheduled for a new client, Brenda would say “I know who that is.” As the

time would come for the intake, and the client and family would walk in, you could often hear Brenda say to the family “Aye, I know you!” The greeting would be followed by hugs and laughter, which made this new idea of day care for their loved ones suddenly feel more comfortable and like being at home. Brenda’s friendly, warm nature made everything feel right to families. It brought caregivers relief to know they were leaving their loved ones in the hands of someone who was already ‘ohana.

The OV staff thought of Brenda as a second mom … always there to give them advice, support and a helping hand. Brenda will always be remembered for putting the needs of others first. She was truly the heart and soul of the center, and her presence with the quality of care and positive differences she made at OV will be felt for a long time. She has been a deeply dedicated, devoted and hardworking individual who modeled compassion for others.

New Plans And Team Members At Kansha Preschool

Kansha Preschool is halfway through our school year. We have a full classroom and keep very busy with all kinds of fun.

In October, Kansha was lucky to find a new teacher’s aide, Aunty Nobuko. Aunty Nobu is from Japan and we’ve enjoyed her sharing her culture with us in the classroom. She’s helped us to incorporate fun and simple things into our curriculum, like our Japanese Word of the Day and counting the days on our calendar in Japanese. We enjoy learning with her.

We have been enjoying more time with our neighbors at the Maui Adult Day Care Centers. Our favorite things to do

are arts and crafts and listening to Uncle Wayne and the Howling Dog Band play music.

We look forward to finalizing a plan for our outdoor play space. It has been quite a journey fundraising and finding the right company for the job, but we are hopeful that our project will be complete by the end of the calendar year.

Teachers remain committed to providing quality care as well as a nurturing and fun environment for our keiki. With KANSHA, we thank our community for their continued support.

Brenda’s outgoing and friendly personality will be missed by the staff, clients and caregivers alike. We send our love and sincerest aloha to her throughout the next phase of her life. With our love and deepest gratitude … she will be truly missed!

Brenda Ramos

Abby and Ivy decorating stars with kupuna.

2022 Chrysanthemum Festival Queen Crowned

The coronation of the queen of the 68th Chrysanthemum Festival was held December 3 at the Kihei Community Center. The queen is Kaitlin Kitagawa, a senior at King Kekaulike High School, daughter of Kathy Suzuki-Kitagawa and Glen Kitagawa of Makawao.

The princesses are:

• Ava Takahama, a junior at Kamehameha Schools Maui, daughter of David and Michelle Takahama of Makawao.

• Brie-Ann Fukutomi, a sophomore at Baldwin High School, daughter of Daryl and Dawn Fukutomi of Wailuku.

• Emi Sado, a junior at Maui High School, daughter of Kristina Toshikiyo and Michael Sado of Kahului.

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 ballroom-dance affair, by the Maui AJA Veterans Inc. as a way to fund its community service in areas such as youth sports and scholarships. The veterans club was formed as soldiers returned from Europe and the Asia-Pacific areas after World War II.

AJA stands for Americans of Japanese ancestry. Most of the soldiers were nisei, or the second generation of Japanese Americans. In 2007, the event name was changed to Chrysanthemum Festival, to reflect its focus on Japanese culture. The next year — with the core group of veterans becoming older and less able to do projects such as the festival — Maui AJA Veterans turned over the event to the MSDNV. Maui AJA Veterans Inc. disbanded in 2016.

Festival proceeds fund scholarships and MSDNV’s historical preservation projects, which are done with the NVMC.

ESSAY CONTEST

Japanese cultural values and their effect on the AJAs who fought in World War II are the topic of an annual essay contest for the festival contestants and their escorts. This year’s winners were Princess Ava in the girls category and Christian Fernando, who escorted Princess Emi, in the boys category.

This year’s essay topic was “chugi,” which refers to loyalty, the consistent adherence to a cause, principal or person. It is defined as faithfulness, truth and fidelity. Essays addressed each writer’s understanding of the concept of “chugi,” how it played a role in the lives of nisei men as they entered and fought in World War II, and how it could be a useful value to adopt in the writer’s life.

Cash prizes were awarded to the entrants. MSDNV President Leonard Oka noted that a major purpose of his group and the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center “is to perpetuate the history of our fathers, who served so gallantly in World War II.” He noted it is just as important for the sons and daughters group to understand and to pass on the values that were ingrained in these nisei soldiers by their issei, or first generation, parents.

EVENT TRADITIONS

The feature of the annual event is the coronation and the court’s traditional ballroom dance performance. The contestants and their escorts attended weekly sessions with ballroom dance instructors Jeffrey and Lydia Dela Cruz to prepare for the performance.

In addition to boys essay winner Christian, the escorts were Drew Otani (Queen Kaitlin), Kaleikaumaka Roback (Princess Ava), and Reel Yoshida (Princess Brie-Ann).

The dance segment was preceded by special musical performance by Nani Watanabe and students from Japan Honami Koishi, Natsuka Ikeya and

Nodoka Dorin, who are on Maui through the Maui Language Institute Program. Each contestant also has a boy to hold a chochin (Japanese lantern) to light her path as she makes her entrance at the festival, and a flower girl who presents a bouquet after the coronation.

The chochin holders were Mason Coleon, Austin Fukuda, Cruz Galicinao, and Brayden Kitagawa. The flower girls were Alyssa Ching, Leah Ige, Mari Sado, and Ekela Jean Yatsushiro.

The festival offers exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment and dinner. Entertainment also included Japanese songs sung by Yumi Takedatsu, classical Japanese dances by students of Matsudai Dance Academy and instructor Yaeko Yamamoto, and Zenshin Daiko, led by Anthony Jones.

Cultural activities were a calligraphy demonstration by the Reverend Shinkai Murakami of Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, flower arranging by the Mokichi Okada Association (MOA), a Japanese fishing game provided by the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui, and a children’s activity table by King Kekaulike High School AVID students.

MSDNV co-sponsored the 2020 event with the County of Maui. MSDNV President Oka and member Gary Nakama chaired the Chrysanthemum Festival committee.

NVMC ANNUAL DINNER: An Evening of Gratitude

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

By: Kathy Collins

After two years of online-only presentation, the NMVC annual dinner returned to the Maui Beach Hotel Ballroom on November 11, 2022, to the delight of the sold-out crowd. Although the previous two virtual dinners were highly successful and enjoyable, all attendees at the 19th annual dinner expressed joy over being able to congregate in person at long last.

The 2022 annual dinner was titled “An Evening of Gratitude,” and keynote speaker Tamlyn Tomita embraced that theme with her entertaining and inspirational talk. After expressing profuse thanks for the contributions of the Nisei Veterans as well as the continuing work of the NVMC, she surprised the audience by leaving stage and venturing among the tables for an informal question-and-answer session. Board member Bo Mahoe was to serve as moderator, but the talk story session quickly evolved into a comedy duo act, with active audience participation.

In keeping with tradition, the evening also included brief speeches by the young ladies of the 2022 Chrysanthemum Court and a silent auction facilitated by Alpha Delta Kappa, Gamma Chapter volunteers. The main event, as always, was the presentation of the annual Hero Awards.

The Leadership Award, sponsored by the Central Pacific Bank Foundation, recognizes individuals who have led our community forward in the spirit and style of the Nisei Veterans, who displayed great strength of character and integrity of their actions, not just during World War II, but also upon their return to Maui.

Janna Hoehn received the 2022 Leadership Award for her tireless work in locating more than 58,000 photographs and stories for every name listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,

D.C. Janna’s efforts began in 2011, and led to her continued involvement in local veterans’ organizations.

The Philanthropy Award, sponsored by HouseMart, brings attention to those who quietly and selflessly work to benefit the Maui community, much like the unheralded generosity of the Nisei generation.

The 2022 Philanthropy Award was given to the nonprofit organization Zenshin Daiko, led by Anthony and Valerie Jones. Dedicated to teaching taiko to children and sharing it with the community, Zen-

shin Daiko has performed, free of charge, in over 1000 cultural and community events since its formation in March 1999. “Quiet” may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about taiko, but Anthony and Valerie lead this educational performance group with humility and passion, diverting the spotlight and recognition to Zenshin’s youthful members.

The word “legacy” is defined as a gift of lasting import, passed down through generations. The legacy of the Nisei Vet-

Janna Hoehn, Leadership Award Recipient, Mayor Victorino, NVMC Board Member Jan Yokouchi, NVMC Board President Kyoko Kimura

NVMC Board Member Jan Yokouchi, Legacy Award Recipient Valerie Matsunaga, Mayor Victorino, NVMC Board Chair Kyoko Kimura

erans, true heroes all, is at the core of the NVMC’s mission, vision, and values. The 2022 Legacy Award, sponsored by Arisumi Brothers, was presented to Valerie Matsunaga, daughter of the late Toshio Kubota, PFC, 442nd RCT, Company K, and the late Misao Kubota. After being presented with her father’s oral history at the 2014 NVMC annual dinner, Val was inspired to journey to Italy, retracing her father’s steps at Hill 140 in Castellina. She documented her excursion to “Take Hill 140” in the Spring 2015 issue of Okage Sama De. Eventually, the article caught the attention of an Italian historical group, Toscana 44, which enlisted her assistance with a 2021 documentary commemorating the battle at Hill 140.

An account of the event would not be complete without acknowledging the NVMC board members, staff, volunteers, and supporters who made the annual dinner such a great success, raising some $60,000 in the process. Thanks also to Presenting Sponsor Arisumi Brothers; Gold Sponsors CPB Foundation, HouseMart, and Munekiyo Hiraga; Silver Sponsors Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Island Insurance Foundation, Mahi Pono, NAPA, Pulama Lana‘i, and Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans; and Bronze Sponsors The Maui News, Pasha Hawaii, Maui Oil Company, and Zenshin Daiko.

It truly was An Evening of Gratitude, one which inspired continued thankfulness for the Nisei Veterans and their legacy, and for all who have been involved with or touched by the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center. Okage sama de!

Shane Sato with Masao Motooka

Tamlyn Tomita and Grant Nakama

NVMC Board Members Jan Yokouchi, Peter Hanano, Kyoko Kimura and Mayor Victorino stand with Philanthropy Award Recipients Zenshin Daiko musicians

The Arisumi Family pose next to Hiroshi Arisumi’s Shane Sato portrait

THE IREICHO

By: Kathy Collins

NVMC research archivist Melanie Agrabante radiates reverence and awe, as she recounts her brief trip to Los Angeles for the launch of Irei: National Monument for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Melanie was one of nearly 200 participants in the consecration and installation of the Ireichō (The Book of Names), the first of three planned components of the Irei Monument. The monument name was inspired by the Ireitō (Consoling Spirits Tower), a monument built by internees at Manzanar to remember those who had died while incarcerated.

The Ireichō contains over 125,000 names and is the first comprehensive listing of the Japanese American internees. Irei Monument Director Duncan Ryūken Williams described the ceremony in an emailed update to supporters:

“In late September (2022), we invited camp survivors and descendants from 75 WWII confinement sites, along with an array of religious clergy… We walked from the historic Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (where, 80 years ago, Japanese Americans boarded buses to the camps) to JANM’s Aratani Central Hall, each holding tablets with the name of the camp they represented, as well as a small jar of soil from that site, leading the path for the Ireichō, which was carried by four distinguished Buddhist and Christian clergy… The ceremonial installation of the Ireichō marked the beginning of an ambitious one-year campaign to invite everyone to visit JANM and acknowledge the names of those who have come before us, until all 125,284 individuals contained therein are seen and remembered with a small hanko (Japanese stamp/seal) mark placed under each name.”

The Haiku Camp Detention Station was one of the 75 sites selected by the Irei project organizers. “They contacted people across the nation, trying to get soil from each of these sites,” Melanie said, “and it got down to four sites left… they had no idea who to contact for the Haiku camp.” Eventually, after many inquiries and referrals, the team reached out to the NVMC.

Melanie recalled, “Deidre mentioned it to me, and I said ‘Oh, I know whose property that is; that’s Kyle Watanabe’s brother-in-law’s place!’… So Kyle went out with Charlene Doi – she took pictures, because they wanted pictures taken of the soil being gathered – and we sent the soil samples and pictures to California.

Shortly thereafter, we got an invitation (to the Ireichō installation ceremony).”

Thanks to a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, the Irei team provided transportation and lodging for representatives of all 75 sites: internees, descendants, and those who assisted in obtaining the soil samples. The Haiku Camp delegation included Oahu resident Ruth Hamanaka, whose grandfather had been detained there, the Reverend Shinkai Murakami of Wailuku Hongwanji Mission, and Melanie on behalf of the NVMC.

“The whole thing was so moving… starting the procession at Nishi Hongwanji had great significance. Duncan said he chose this area because this is where the Japanese Americans lost their names, lost their identity. And he created, with his group, this book of names to give them their names back. Very chicken skin.”

Dr. Williams, who is also Director of the Shinso Ito Center at the University of Southern California and a Soto Zen Buddhist priest, said in his update, “A names monument has the power to not only evoke remembrance, but to repair the racial karma of a nation. The work of repair and healing, though, is premised on making sure that we are not leaving anybody out. We also can’t honor the community if individuals’ names are inaccurately spelled. To ensure that we have the most accurate and comprehensive listing of all those of Japanese ancestry incarcerated in WWII, this campaign is also one of repairing the historical record, inviting amendments for any missing person or misspelled names. While our team is confident that we already have 99% accuracy with the names in the Ireichō, the goal is to have a second printing of the book of names in 2025 that reflects all the amendments.”

Rev Murakami of Wailuku Hongwanji paying his respects to the Ireicho as Melanie holds the Haiku Internment Camp Otoba.

DUNCAN RYŪKEN WILLIAMS, Irei Monument Director

The other two facets of the Irei Monument are the Ireizō (The Online Archive) and the Ireihi (The Light Sculpture).

The Ireizō, an interactive and searchable website hosted by the USC Shinso Ito Center, may be found at www.ireizo.com. It features all of the names listed in the Ireichō, along with additional information about each name. A camp directory is also included, as well as an amendment form through which corrections or additions may be submitted. Later this year, in partnership with Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project, the Irei project team will add photographs, camp newspapers, and other materials to the Ireizō.

The Ireihi light installation memorials will be displayed at eight internment camps – Amache, Jerome, Heart Mountain, Manzanar, Minidoka, Poston, Rohwer, and Tule Lake – starting next year. In 2025, an Ireihi sculpture replicating the dimensions of the Manzanar Ireitō will be installed at JANM.

The Ireichō will be on display at JANM until September 24, 2023. Visitors are welcome to stamp up to six names in the book. You do not have to be a former incarceree, descendant, or relative; however, reservations are required to stamp the book. Information on the display and a link to stamping reservations may be found at janm.org/exhibits/ireicho.

And if you’d like a brief glimpse of Melanie’s “most amazing 28 hours,” go to https://youtu.be/7PbgjGAgaCQ for highlights of the Ireichō installation ceremony. Chicken skin guaranteed.

Scan the QR Code

for information on The Ireichō on display at JANM until September 24, 2023.

Information on the display and a link to stamping reservations may be found at janm.org/exhibits/ireicho.

Scan the QR Code

to watch highlights of the Ireichō installation ceremony, Melanie’s “most amazing 28 hours.”

Ireichō Display,

Photo Courtesy of The Japanese American National Museum

The Ireizō, www.ireizo.com

An interactive, searchable list of names in the Ireichō hosted by the USC Shinso Ito Center.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

VIP Foodservice

By: Deidre Tegarden

I was reminded of the above Rudyard Kipling quote as I listened to Nelson Okumura talk about his mother, Lorraine, and the important lessons she imparted to him … the lessons of hard work, responsibility, standing by your word and giving back to the community that supports you.

Established by Nelson’s father Roy Okumura, VIP Foodservice has been part of the Maui community since 1951. In 1985 the company opened Cash & Carry (now Island Grocery Depot) with stores in Kahului and Lahaina. The business has always been a family affair. Nelson’s mother was a stay at home mother, and when he entered fourth grade she went to work at VIP to help her husband develop a family business.

“The idea of family is very important to the company,” Nelson said. “We have employees that have been with us for over 40 years. That’s important.”

Now President of VIP, Nelson Okumura knew from a young age that he wanted to work in the family business and ultimately, one day, run the company. Working at the company began during high school summer vacations and followed into his time at the University of Hawai‘i and during breaks from his time in the Army Reserve.

Nelson started in the sales department and eventually evolved to sales manager.

“The secret to being a good sales person is you have to have a plan, you have to really anticipate customer needs and develop skills,” he explained, adding that he is a fan of the soft sale. “In our business it is about the long-term relationship. You must prove by your actions that

you are valuable. We still have our original customers. Mother would stress the importance of giving back. Business only occurs thanks to the community. So you cannot just take, you must give back.”

That idea of “giving back” is why the Roy and Lorraine Okumura Foundation was established in 2014. It has helped countless nonprofits across Maui, including the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC).

“The NVMC has always been important to my family,” Nelson added. He first learned about the stories of the Nisei while in elementary school, including from his father’s cousin, the late WWII Nisei veteran Harold Okumura, MIS.

“From that time, I really felt a part of what they did and I have carried that feeling with me for most of my life. It is import-

ant to perpetuate the story, values and what they did. I met a young woman at an event. She was Japanese American, and I told her about the NVMC. She had not been aware of the Nisei story and that surprised me. It is so important that we share with the next generation what these men accomplished and sacrificed.”

Nelson Okumura definitely “walks the talk” and has been a supporter of the NVMC since its inception, holding various leadership positions. Although no longer on the board, he continues to come to the campus clean-up days. Nelson is never too busy to take a phone call or meeting and can make sense of the most difficult problem. He makes everyone feel welcomed and a part of the family. I think his mother would be very happy to see her lessons are being practiced every day.

NELSON OKUMURA VIP Foodservice President

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers”

Valley Isle Produce 1967 Team Photo

“It is so important that we share with the next generation what these men accomplished and sacrificed.”

UPCOMING COLUMN TO SHARE

MAUI VETERAN STORIES OF HONOR

By: David Fukuda

ELEVEN YEARS AGO, an email from Gerome Villain informed me that French President François Hollande had authorized the awarding of the French Legion d’Honneur to eligible World War II veterans. Gerome, who resides in the Vosges Mountains, had taken Judy and I on a tour of battle sites from Epinal to the Vosges a few years earlier and knew of my interest in the 100th/442nd.

The Chavalier de la Legion d’Honneur, established after the French Revolution by Napoleon Bonaparte, is France’s highest national decoration. Just as done after WWI, France was now offering this award to surviving foreign veterans who had fought on French soil to free the French from German occupation during WWII.

The application required a three-page summary of a veteran’s family and work history before and after the war, along with a detailed description of one’s combat record while in France. The veteran’s DD Form 214, the certificate of

Interview with Willie Goo

OCTOBER 04, 2012

By: David Fukuda

Willie Goo was born in Olowalu on May 12, 1920 to a Chinese father and Japanese mother. His father managed the Olowalu Store, owned by the Heen estate with which the elder Goo had connections. When Willie was about seven or eight years old, the family moved to a two and a half acre parcel in Waihee where his mother tended to the farm while his father worked as a butcher for Ah Fook’s.

Willie attended school at Waiehu and then at Maui High catching a ride from neighbors all the way to Hamakua -

release or discharge from active duty, and photo also needed to be submitted.

At that time, I was serving on the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) board of directors along with Hiroshi Arisumi and Stanley Izumigawa, and I drove both of them down from Kula to our monthly board meetings. They were my obvious starting point. Both had seen action in France and had written histories of their experiences. The plan was to give each of them an application to fill out and collect them at the next meeting.

A month passed when I checked to see how they were coming along with the application; neither had even affixed their name to the application. It was time to switch to Plan B. I would assist the veterans in completing their applications while, at the same time, compiling notes about the veterans for our archives. Brilliant! It would be like the proverbial “killing two birds with one stone.”

What will be presented in this column in upcoming issues of Okage Sama de are

poko every day. He also worked on the Waiehu Golf course with the maintenance crew and caddied for 25 cents/ round. Even though Willie was seven years older than Charlie Mizoguchi, they were close friends. (Paul recalls seeing his father’s golf trophies with the two as teammates.)

In 1940, Willie enlisted in the 299th National Guard unit on Maui. He was serving at Paukukalo when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Some of the men were getting ready to attend a football game that afternoon between a Honolulu high school and Maui team. The game was cancelled.

About a month after Pearl Harbor, the commander called the unit together and singled out all Japanese guard mem -

stories that Maui veterans shared with me. In total, there were 27 interviews, which resulted in 22 Legion of Honor awards (Okage Sama de, February 2015). Only two of the veterans who were interviewed survive to this day.

My first interview was with Willie Goo, who was an original member of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate), and he knew my dad. Willie had a phenomenal memory and recalled many details about the war. Unfortunately, I soon realized very few of the original 100th members even made it to France, having sustained wounds in Italy and subsequently sent back to the states. In fact, the only original member of the 100th I interviewed who was eligible to receive the French Legion d’Honneur was Ed Nishihara.

I hope that members of the NVMC community remember these men and appreciate the contributions they all made to make our lives and the world a better place for us all.

bers and draftees to form a provisional Japanese unit in Honolulu. Knowing Willie was half-Japanese, he gave Willie a choice of joining the Japanese unit or staying with the 299th. Willie chose to go with the AJAs to Honolulu. In Honolulu, they were assigned to companies with most of the Maui boys assigned to Company “C”.

Continued on Next Page

Willie Goo

He recalled the trip in June, 1942, on the SS Maui to the San Francisco Bay area after which they boarded trains bound for an unknown destination. The trains finally arrived at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Goo’s stay in Wisconsin was enjoyable with side trips to Milwaukee and Illinois. After Camp McCoy, the men traveled to Camp Shelby in Mississippi for maneuvers.

One of the incidents Willie was asked to comment on was on how Paul’s dad, Charles Mizoguchi, earned his Soldiers Award. It occurred during maneuvers in Louisiana on the Sabine River which borders Texas. The men were ordered to make a 25-yard crossing with a full pack. The key, according to Goo, was to keep swimming, something that Toru Orikasa failed to do even though, as an Eagle Scout, he was a competent swimmer. The current took him under and Charlie Mizoguchi swam after him and saved his life for which he was later awarded the Soldiers Medal. Only 15 men in the 100th/442nd received this award during the entire war.

After maneuvers, the unit set off to Newark, N.J. where the men boarded the USS Parker, part of a 700-ship armada that took 12 days to cross the Atlantic. Willie recalls seeing the Rock of Gibraltar as they entered the Mediterranean Sea and sharing optimistic thoughts with Charlie Mizoguchi about their safe return home.

Life in Oran, Morocco, was full of challenges and adventures. The men were advised not to touch women’s veils, or to kill flies despite the poor sanitation. One highlight in Oran was being reunited with Frank Cockett of Maui. Cockett was the county treasurer and in the 299th National Guard on Maui. Although he had asked to join the 100th, he was assigned to the 168th Regiment of the 34th Division where he rose from sergeant to lieutenant and established a heroic war record.

When the 100th’ landed at Salerno, Italy, Sparky Matsunaga was CO of Company C with Lt. Jakuszewski leading Goo’s

2nd Platoon. Johnny Miyagawa was the platoon sergeant along with Sergeants Louis Sakamoto and Masanao Otake in C Company. As they were approaching the beach in the landing craft, rumors flew about the earlier units being wiped out by the enemy. The level of difficulty in getting ashore was dependent on how skilled the pilot was in maneuvering the craft. If he dropped the landing gate in deep water, it was especially difficult for the shorter Nisei soldiers, even with their lighter combat packs.

Not long after landing, Willie’s unit got caught in an olive grove with snipers firing and German artillery locked in. Willy and Chester Hada shot their bazooka at a tank and missed, but the tank fortunately left the area. The men, however, were pinned down for eight hours with some, like Seichi Tengan, sustaining wounds.

Monte Cassino left an indelible impression on the young Goo. The area before reaching the wall at the base of Monte Cassino was flooded to make it impossible for tanks to traverse. The men made forward progress pressing forward during the five minute breaks in the rolling barrage that their artillery set up. Willie said the amount of fire the US laid down was immense Unfortunately, with that much firing going on, friendly casualties were inevitable. He also recalls seeing an aerial dogfight and said the American pilots were the best.

By the time they got to the wall, Company C only had a handful of men left. There was an argument between officers as to whether to move forward over the wall. A machine gun about 200 yards away was zeroed in on them. Artillery was supposed to send in smoke ordnance but instead fired high explosive rounds causing the front line to call off the shelling. Capt. Richard Mizuta then saw a fog bank moving in so ordered his troops to move out when it came in front of them. Johnny Miyagawa was ready with the wire cutters when suddenly, the fog lifted and Mizuta called off the charge. Willie said, “The fog stopping (lifting) saved my life.”

Willie remembers going to the aid of Taro Tonai and finding him KIA. He remembers putting Tonai’s rifle into the ground with his helmet on top next to the body. It was a surprise to him when the report came later that Tonai was MIA.

The 100th went back to Naples to board landing crafts to ship to Anzio just south of Rome. On arrival, the unit learned that the beach was in firing range of the large German rail guns. He recalls the gutsy move by Young Oak Kim and his partner, Pfc. Irving Akahoshi, when they captured German prisoners in broad daylight.

It was on the next push to Lanuvio, where Willie Goo was wounded on June 2, 1944. He was approaching an enemy machine gun nest when a land mine went off and hit him in the leg and shoulder. His canteen was punctured and Goo at first thought the water on his uniform was blood. He also checked his helmet and finding no wound, told his buddy, Warren Iwai, that things were okay. Meanwhile others had captured the Germans in the machine gun nest and the prisoners carried Goo about 400 yards to the rear. From there he went to the field hospital and then to the 45th General Hospital in Naples.

Willie was shipped back to the US mainland where he spent a year in rehab at hospitals in Virginia, Mayo Clinic in Michigan and Galesburg, Ill. Goo was finally released from the Army on July 31, 1945.

He returned to his job at the golf course before moving on to Kahului Railroad. It was then he met his future bride, Janet, who asked to hitch a ride with Willie to her workplace at A&B.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NVMC

ARMY ($2,500 and over)

Alexander & Baldwin, LLC

Central Pacific Bank Foundation

Lloyd K. & Pauline Pui-Yu Arisumi

Arisumi Brothers, Inc.

County of Maui

Stanley Oka & Deborah Ahina-Oka

IN MEMORY OF CLARENCE “HEKKA” OKA & JENNY OKA

Terry & Kimberly Dembroski

Edwin Fujinaka

Jason & Neva Jean Fukuda

Kaanapali Ocean Resort Charitable

Trust

Kihei Garden & Landscaping

Patrick Matsui

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Pulama Lana‘i

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

Maui Toyota

Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans

HouseMart Family Foundation

Michael & Lori Munekiyo

Munekiyo & Hiraga, Inc.

Mahipono

Pamela Ikeda & Rebecca Kanenaka

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Adele Sumida

IN MEMORY OF MITSUO ARISUMI

Howard & Sandra Takeshita

IN MEMORY OF LEI YAMASHIRO

The Freeman Foundation

The Kosasa Family Foundation

The Roy and Lorraine Okumura Foundation

Jon & Jan Yokouchi

DIVISION ($2,499 - 1,000)

Myrtle Agrabante

Thomas & Gwen Arisumi

Tady & Sandy Arisumi

IN MEMORY OF MITSUO ARISUMI

Gene & Beryl Bal

Jill Chinen

Ann Kabasawa & Clyde Sugimoto

Anonymous Donor

IN MEMORY OF FRED YAMASHIGE

Anonymous Donor

IN MEMORY OF HIROSHI & EDNA ARISUMI

Anonymous Donor

IN MEMORY OF RAYMOND YAMAMOTO

Anonymous Donor

IN MEMORY OF MITSUO ARISUMI

Rian Dubach

Takako Fujimoto

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT FUJIMOTO

Charles & Tamara Fujinaka

IN MEMORY OF MAKOTO FUJINAKA

Gary Sato & Susan Takamatsu

IN MEMORY OF MASAO SATO

Goodfellow Brothers, Inc

James & Takane Hashi

Pasha Hawaii

Linden Joesting

Anthony Jones

Boyd Kauhane

Hideo & Joyce Kawahara

David Kling

IN HONOR OF YOSHIO & CLARA SHIBUYA

Carl Kobayashi

Matson Navigation Co. Inc & Subsidiaries

Colbert & Gail Matsumoto

Alan & Valerie Matsunaga

IN MEMORY OF TOSHIO & MISAO KUBOTA

Maui Chemical & Paper Products

Maui Disposal

Maui Oil

Mid Pacific Pest Control

Paul & Jessie Mizoguchi

Lyman & Marilyn Morikawa

Janis Nakamura

Masue Okumura

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD OKUMURA

James Onoda

Ken & Saedene Ota

Servco Foundation

Service Rentals & Supplies, Inc.

John and JoAnn Sinton

Robert Stoner

Trevor Tokishi

Tokuji Yoshihashi

IN MEMORY OF MITSUGU JIO

REGIMENT ($999 - 500)

Aloha Poi Factory

American Online Giving Foundation

Frances Aoyama

Bal & Takahashi Families

IN MEMORY OF ITSUYO KUSUDA

Merle & Lorna Beghtel

IN MEMORY OF HISASHI YOSHIHARA

Leon & Claire Dodson

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT

MASAKAZU NAKAYAMA

Clyde & Gail Hamai

Kay Hanano

Hawaii Kansha Foundation

Ronald Hayashida

IN MEMORY OF HIDEYUKI HAYASHIDA

Walter Heirakuji

Wendy Higa

Stanley & Ann Honda

Hester Honda

Howard and Pam Ikeda

IN MEMORY OF TAKEO IKEDA & ROBERT

MASAKAZU FUJIMOTO

Alfred Itamura

Mr. & Mrs. Howard Ito

IN MEMORY OF TAKAO ITO

Llewell & Lee Ann Kapaku

IN MEMORY OF RIKIO TSUHAKO

Gerald H. Kibe

Howard Kihune

Karen Kikukawa

Kyoko Kimura

Emma Matsunaga

IN MEMORY OF JANE K. MATSUNAGA

Eric and Elaine Miyajima

Albert & Julia Morita

Mark & Frances Oka

Yukio & Jane Okuda

Warren & Helen Orikasa

Joe & Jill Ozaki

Jonathan & Jill Ross

Nancy Sagawa

IN MEMORY OF NORMAN SAGAWA

Grace Shigeta

Catherine Shimizu

Sohny Strong

Gary Sato & Susan Takamatsu

James & Suzanne Takamiya

Mark Takano

The Omidyar Group

Desiree Ting

David Watanabe

Kyle & Colette Watanabe

Katherine Wirsing

Aiko Yamashige

IN MEMORY OF MITSUO ARISUMI & KENGO KATO

Catherine Yee

IN MEMORY OF FRED YAMASHIGE

BATTALION ($499 - 250)

George & Joyce Akamine

IN MEMORY OF TSUTOMU TOM NAGATA

Michelle Ankele-Yamashita

Alan and Carol Arai

IN MEMORY OF MOTOSHI & EDNA TOKUNAGA

Sheri Arebaugh

Roberta Arita

Bal & Takahashi Families

IN MEMORY OF MASAE MURAKAMI

Karen & Mike Bena

Kathy Collins

Linda Cornwell

Christopher & Lynn Curtis

Jeffrey & Lydia DelaCruz

Daniel and Cheryl Hirata Dulas

Royce Fukuroku

Harold & Joyce Fukushima

GDH6, LLC

IN MEMORY OF TAKEO IKEDA

Russel Gushi

IN MEMORY OF MASAKICHI GUSHI

H&S Paint

Michael Hagston

Grace Hamasaki

Troy Hashimoto

Raymond & Francis Hirano

Sandra Hirata

Roy and Barbara Huntley

IN MEMORY OF DR. SEIYA OHATA

Earl Ichimura

Gail and Winford Ideue

Edwin A. & Carol T. Ikeda

IN MEMORY OF SHARON A. IKEDA

Rebecca Kanenaka

Ronald & Blossom Kawahara

Todd Kawasaki

Howard & Barbara Kihune

Andrew Kikuta

Glenn Kosaka

Jayson Kozaki

Manuel Kuloloio

Kirk Kurokawa

Kanoa & Ashley Leahey

Francine Lee

Linda Monden & Scott Sakakihara

Cummins Mahoe

Gerald Matsui

IN MEMORY OF ROBERT MIYASHIRO, TAKEO IKEDA, ALBERT SOUZA

Maui Adult Day Care Center

Anna Mayeda

Jeannette McKinley

Peggy Mizumoto

Faye Murayama

Ryan Nagoshi

Alton Nakagawa

Kenneth and Doris Nakakura

Kenneth and Karen Nakamura

Lee & Stephanie Ohigashi

Leonard & Laurel Oka

Nelson Okumura

Donna Ponce

Charles & Jacqueline Probst

Karen and Patrick Saka

Lee Sakugawa

Shane & Claire Sato

Virginia Shaw

Marc Stevens

Leroy & Diane Sueno

Anne Takabuki

Susan Takamatsu

Lance Takamiya

Samantha Takamura

Michael & Lisa Tateishi

TTT Salon

Ken & Caryn Uechi

IN MEMORY OF REVERENDS MASAO AND TORAKO ARINE

Dawn Ueki

Hilton and Maria Unemori

Valley Isle Appraisal

Gail & Roy Wakamatsu

IN MEMORY OF IRENE & OSAMU NAKAGAWA

Merle Watanabe

Gerald and Connie Watanabe

Dean & Michelle Yamashita

Justin Yanagida

Jodie Yasuda

Karen Yokouchi-Polvere

Larry S. & Joan C. Yokoyama

Dana Young

Tiara Kobayashi-Bautista

Miki Kobayashi-Bautista

Fujihara Family

COMPANY ($249-100)

Masaru Abe

Jeanne Abe

Takuzo and Rebecca Ageno

Arthur & Ina Altman

Nane Aluli

Rudolph and Anne Andrade

Thomas & Marilyn Araki

Richard and Annette Arine

IN MEMORY OF RAYMOND IWAMOTO

Reed & Dyan Ariyoshi

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Dennis Asato

Cindy Asato-Kochi

Dorsa Asing

Masue Kimura & Audrey Takitani

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Shelley Baker-Gard

Dennis Barger

Irene Bodden

Holly Buland

Robert and Geraldine Carroll

Sandra Chang

Monica & Walter Chihara

L.P. Chong

B. Chong

Chris Minford & Dawne MiguelMinford

Carroll Correa

Masao & Adeline Daida

Dennis and Charlene Doi

Lily Sanehira & Ellen Takayama

IN MEMORY OF JITSUO SANEHIRA, MIS

Elsie Chun & Louise Ching

IN MEMORY OF MASAYUKI “BOYAN” HIGA & MASAHARU “BIGGIE” NAKAKURA

Lester Yano Estelle Chun

Kathleen Fong

IN MEMORY OF RICHARD & PATRICK KINA

June Fujii

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Takako Fujimoto

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Don Fujimoto

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Alvin & Martha Fukunaga

Satsuki Fukunaga

Wessen and Lydia Furomoto

Ellen Furukawa

The Blackbaud Giving Fund

Russel & Muffy Gushi

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Mark & Lei Gushiken

Wayne & Jill Gushiken

Glenn and Katherine Hamai

MM Hamasaki

IN MEMORY OF TOM HIRANAGA

Peter Hanano

Howard & Alma Hanzawa

Wayne & Violet Harada

Judy & John Haruguchi

Edward Hashiro

Bertha Hew

Alexa Higashi

Charles Hirata

Paul and Gayle Hironaka

Janna Hoehn

Ted & Margaret Hori

Karyn Kawahara & Howard Smith

Ralph Ichikawa

Kenneth Ichikawa

Edwin A. & Carol T. Ikeda

IN MEMORY OF TAKEO IKEDA & TADASHI KUBO

Gilbert & Rosalinda Ikeda

Cynthia Ikeda

Howard and Pam Ikeda

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Duane & Akiko Ikeda

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO KANESHIRO

MATSUI & TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Don & Colleen Ikemoto

Lawrence & Betty Ing

IN MEMORY OF STANLEY IZUMIGAWA

Bert Inouye

Amy Izutsu

IN MEMORY OF TSUKIO YAMAGATA & RAYMOND IWAMOTO

Patrick and Beryl Jio Jim

IN MEMORY TO MITSUGU & RACHAEL JIO

Tilden Jio

IN MEMORY TO MITSUGU & RACHAEL JIO

Stacey and Lori E. Jio

IN MEMORY OF MITSUGU JIO

Lyle & Audrey Kajihara

Wayne & Evelyn Kajiwara

IN MEMORY OF IRVIN YAMADA

Janet Kamasaki

IN HONOR OF A ∆ K

Harold Kametani

Kameya Family

Kamikaze Electronics

IN MEMORY OF ANTHONY TAKASHIMA, ROBERT SUGIMOTO & TAKEO SUGIMOTO

Isamu & Aiko Kanekuni

Nobuo Kanemoto

IN MEMORY OF TOE, YOSHIHIRO & YOSHIHARA YOSHINO

Dale Kappenman

IN MEMORY OF JITSUO SANEHIRA, MIS

Debbra Kashino

Ann Katahara

Roy & Betty Katsuda

Dennis & Linda Kawachi

Robert & Sakae Kawaguchi

Craig & Jean Kawaguchi

IN MEMORY OF KENJI & MILDRED KAWAGUCHI

Gary & Laura Kawahara

IN MEMORY OF MITSUNOBU

KAWAHARA, MIS

Hideo and Joyce Kawahara

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD OKUMURA

Richie & Helene Kaya

IN MEMORY OF WATARU KANESHINA, 100TH INFANTRY BATTALION

Lane & Arlette Kiriyama

Dustin Kitagawa

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE S. & JUDITH T. KITAGAWA

Herbert & Alice Kogasaka

Robert Kono

Lynn Krieg

Alan & Lynette Kumalae

Leona Kushi

Jean Kuwada

Tom & Krystene Lam

Skip Locke

Lois Lord

IN MEMORY OF CHARLES

“CHUCK” HAZAMA

Leslie & Karen Maeda

Wayne & Joyce Maeda

Ha‘aheo Mansfield

Beryl Matoi

IN MEMORY OF TOMIKO ITO

Ed & Beverley Matsuishi

Robert S. and Edith I. Matsumoto

George and Reiko Matsunaga

Lyle & Cindy Matsunaga

Alan & Valerie Matsunaga

Dan & Susan Michibata

Gail Miyahira

Patrick & Michiyo Miyahira

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Genji & Toshiko Miyamoto

Mark & Eloisa Mizuno

Merle Momita

Marion H. Morikawa

Brian Moto

Karen Motooka

Gary & Kathi Mukai

Glenn & Dawn Mukai

Wendy Mukai

Zane Mukai

Jacqueline & Gary Murai

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Renee Murakami

IN MEMORY OF MYLES MURAKAMI

Leroy Nagasako

Floyd and Sharon Nagoshi

Allen & Elaine Nakagawa

Ray Nakagawa

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Gary S. & Susan L. Nakama

Claudia Nakano

Stacey Nikaido

Ed & Ellen Nishimura

IN MEMORY OF JERALD K. SUMIDA

Carolyn Nishimura

Kenneth & Charlotte Nomura

Gladys O’Connor

IN MEMORY OF STANLEY KARAKAWA

Susan Okano

IN HONOR OF A ∆ K

Warren & Helen Orikasa

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Yoshimori Oshiro

Curtis & Faye Otsuka

Lynne and Charles Pilarski

Charles & Jacqueline Probst

Miki Rotman

Ken Saito

IN MEMORY OF SUENO & TAKAAKI SAITO

Sam Sato’s Inc.

Claire Sato

Phyllis Sato

Mark & Lois Sato

Rodney and Carole Sekimoto

Hachiro and Susan Shimanuki

IN MEMORY OF GOICHI SHIMANUKI

Allen and Janice Shishido

Marissa Singleton

Joan Soma

Mavis Suda

Toshiko Sugiki

Pukalani Superette

Alison & Jamie Tagomori

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Brian & Helen Takaki

Miles Takakura

Jacklyn Takakura

Ann Takakura

Mike & Myriam Takamatsu

IN MEMORY OF TADAYUKI TAKAMATSU

Takamiya Market

Peggy Takashima

IN MEMORY OF ANTHONY “TONY”

TAKASHIMA AND RUSSELL TAKASHIMA

Gary & Marci Takemoto

Mari Taketa

IN MEMORY OF JANE MATSUNAGA

Anthony Takitani

Frances Takumi

Roy & Sharon Tanaka

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Vicki Tani

Ross Tanoue

Deidre Tegarden

Donna Teshima

Allen Y. & Donna P. Ting

IN MEMORY OF MITSUO ARISUMI

Lynne and Charles Toma

Patricia Toyama

Tri Isle, Inc

Joan Tsuji

IN MEMORY OF KEIJI TSUJI, 442ND RCT & MIS

Laurita Turner

Ralph Ukishima

Sing & Aaron Vista

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Janis Von Thaden

Louis and Jean Wada

IN MEMORY OF RAYMOND IWAMOTO

Gary & Karen Wasano

Betty Watanabe

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD OKUMURA

Brian Watanabe

Gordon and Lynette Watanabe

Charlotte Wilkinson

Winston And Ruth

Fredrick Wong

Valerie Wong

Shoji and Shizuyo Yamaguchi

Laura Yamamoto

IN MEMORY OF RICHARD MASAYUKI

YAMAMOTO

Leslie & Alice Yamanaka

Kyle Yamashige

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Nancy Yamashita

IN MEMORY OF MARSHAK TAMAYOSE

Eleanor Yanagi

Richard Yap

Ty & Debra Yoshimi

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Tadao & Sakaye Yoshimoto

James and Marian Yoshioka

Eric Moto

PLATOON ($99 - 25)

Melanie Agrabante

Ethel Asato

Wayne and Lyn Axelson

Karen Chenchin

Dorrienne & Tony Chinn

IN MEMORY OF IRENE NAKAGAWA

Melinda Clarke

Oxford College Emory Univ

Gary & Grace Fujii

Caroline Fujii

Phyllis & Earl Fukami

Edwin and Delia Fukuji

David & Sue Fukushima

Kristin Gillette

Dennis Ginoza

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Edwin Ginoza

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Kate Griffiths

Howard & Sheryl Hamai

Gabrielle Hashimoto

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

DT & KM Hashiro

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Joy & Barry Helle

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Hashizume Herman

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Heidi Hiraoka

Lilian & Ko Hiyama

Marilyn Honda

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Michael & Christine Hondo

Carolyn Hozaki

Sandy Inouye-Imai

Donald & Faith Ito

Blanche Ito

Gail Iwamoto-Hamai

Jere & Valerie Jackson

Conchita Jaramillo

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Rinko Jeffers

Dereck & Norine Kalaiwaa

Ed & Mieko Kanemoto

Nobuo Kanemoto

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Hideo & Joyce Kawahara

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE OKAMOTO, ALLAN OSAKI, & ROY OKAMOTO

Joan Kawahara

Hideo & Joyce Kawahara

IN MEMORY OF DAWN MIJO, MASAE MURAKAMI, & MITSUO ARISUMI

Ted & Naomi Kesaji

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Rebecca Kikumoto

Richard & Janis Kinoshita

Michael and Lynne Kishimoto

Alan & Paula Kobayashi

Dennis Koyanagi

Rachel Kroger

Sherrie Kumashiro

Edward & Lois Kuniyoshi

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Itsuyo Kusuda

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD OKUMURA

W. Edward Linn

Barbara Long

Trevor & Richelle Lu

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Jason Matsui

Chibi-Snax at Makana Market

Right:

Tiara Kobayashi-Bautista at Makana Market

NVMC HAPPENINGS

Left:

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE MATSUI & MITSUO ARISUMI

Margaret McGehee

Debra Morioka

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Machiko Moriyasu

Karen Motooka

Dwayne Mukai

Jean Nishimura

Edwin & Diane Orikasa

IN MEMORY OF MASAE MURAKAMI & TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Raina Ouye

Kathleen Pierceall

Kathi Pierceall

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Richard Rasmussen

Robbie & Elaine Reneau

Julia Reynolds

Lauren Reynolds

James & Suzette Robinson

Wayne Rodrigues

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Ricky & Miwako Rulloda

Rodney Ryugo

Edna Saifuku

David Yospe & Brenda

Saifuku-Yospe

Violet Sakai

IN MEMORY OF KAZUICHI SAKAI

Newton Sakamoto

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Barbara Sakamoto

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Gavin & Jill Sakamoto

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Brian and Patsy H. Saki

Diana Saltoon-Briggs

Glenn & Sandra Sato

Madge Schaefer

Rae Seki

Lee Seki

Linda Shibano

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

George & Aileen Shigezawa

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Joanne Shiratori & Michiko Fukuda

Patricia Shishido

IN MEMORY OF WALTER SHIMODA

Kahai & Wendy Shishido

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Robert & Colleen Shishido

Joseph M. and Frances J. Souki

Ronald & Mary Sowa

Kim Springer

Leroy & Diane Sueno

IN MEMORY OF KUNI KOBAYASHI

Eddie Suguro

Paul & Judy Suyama

Ian & Martha Suzuki

IN MEMORY OF CHIYOKO

KANESHIRO MATSUI

Lance & Ju Youn Taguchi

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Earl Takabayashi

Ralph Takata

Donald & Judy Takayama

Nora Takeuchi

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Gerald Takumi

Cathy Tam

Dorothy Tam Ho

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD OKUMURA

Richard Tanabe

DONATE TO THE NVMC ENVELOPE

Steven M. Tanabe

Roy & Sharon Tanaka

Elaine Tanaka

IN MEMORY OF MASAO, HISASHI, KOICHI & KATSUMI YOSHIHARA

Allan and Linda Tanaka

Harold and Irene Teraoka

Shirley Tobita

Dana Turnbull

Nelly Uehara

Anna Umehira

Larry Uyeda

Steven M. & Gladys Y. Uyehara

Stanley Vidinhar

K and R Watson

IN MEMORY OF TAKAKO FUJIMOTO

Corrine Corky Welch

IN MEMORY OF CHARLES “CHUCK”

HAZAMA

Marynella Wood

Roger Yamagata

Stella Yamamoto

Joy Yamane

Aimee Yatsushiro

Tammy Yeh

Isami Yoshihara

Robert Yoshimori

La’iku Hawaii

B.Miyo Art

Chibi Snax

Buku Hawaii

Liana Lola

Olelo Aku Olelo Mai

Kept Hawaii

Shal’s Favorite Things

Waiwaolani

Valerie Wong

Francine Wong

Tama Stuff & Fluff

Tiara Koba Designs

Miks with Aloha

Kreations by Kemamo

SQUAD ($24-BELOW)

Mike & Sheralyn Bratlien

Bruce Rovner & Ann BarclayRovner

Tom & Jackie Herron

Tiffany Kesaji

PayPal Giving Fund

Robbie Reneau

Wailuku Jodo Mission

David & Colleen Welty

John & Donnette Wilson

David Yanagisako

Esther Yokoyama

Keiki Kapz

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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NVMC HAPPENINGS

Sushi Making Workshop

Kirk Kurokawa gifts Governor Neil Abercrombie a sketch from his official gubernatorial portrait.

The women of A∆ K Gamma Chapter flank Tamlyn Tomita at annual dinner.

Kathy Collins, Moana and Keola Beamer and Melanie Agrabante at a “Yakamashii!” talk story event.

Kyle Watanabe and Charlene Doi show soil that they collected at Haiku Camp.

The 2022 Chrysanthemum Festival Court: Reel Yoshida & Princess Brie-Ann Fukutomi, Drew Otani & Queen Kaitlin Kitagawa, Princess Ava Takahama & Kaleikaumaka Roback, and Princess Emi Sado & Christian Fernando.

KAHULUI, HI 96733-6716

she imparted to him …

about his mother, Lorraine, and the important lessons

Kipling quote as I listened to Nelson Okumura talk

made mothers.’ I was reminded of the above Rudyard

‘God could not be everywhere, and therefore he

VIP Foodservice

Sponsor Spotlight:

cration and installation of the Ireichō...

nie was one of nearly 200 participants in the conse -

Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Mela -

for the WWII Japanese American Incarceration at the

Los Angeles for the launch of Irei: National Monument

reverence and awe, as she recounts her brief trip to

NVMC research archivist Melanie Agrabante radiates

The Ireicho

Kathy Suzuki-Kitagawa and Glen Kitagawa...

a senior at King Kekaulike High School, daughter of

Community Center. The queen is Kaitlin Kitagawa ,

themum Festival was held December 3 at the Kihei

The coronation of the queen of the 68th Chrysan -

Queen Crowned

2022 Chrysanthemum Festival

it has. Much longer, in fact.

been around for longer than a decade, that’s because PAGE 01 PAGE 07 PAGE 10 PAGE 12

anniversary this April. If it feels like the center has

NVMC Education Center

The 10th Anniversary of the

SPRING