In this oral history interview, Raymond Aka talks about his early childhood in Hawaii and his subsequent move to Okinawa and attending school in Japan. After returning to America, Aka describes his time in high school, working in California, and his…
Akama discusses his prefecture origin and family. He details about his childhood, upbringing, and schooling. Akama also discusses about his social activities.
Akama discusses barefoot football league and rival teams. He details about his educational experiences. Akama discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, joining the military, and basic training.
Akama discusses being in a segregated unit and experiencing discrimination. He recalls going overseas and shares his wartime experiences in the European Theater. Akama discusses about his time in Italy.
Akama discusses the difficulties of battle, his duties, and replacements. He recalls the Italian language, native foods, and the civilians. Akama also discusses about his post-war experiences in Italy.
Akama discusses his homecoming. He details about his post-war employment. Akama describes meeting his wife and raising a family. Akama shares photographs he took during the war and post-war.
Akamine discusses about enlisting into the service. He details about the events surrounding Pearl Harbor and his thoughts from it. Akamine also discusses some of his experiences while on guard duty.
Akamine discusses his experiences shortly before and after arriving at Camp McCoy. He details about his experiences in North Africa and landing in Salerno, Italy. Akamine also discusses his experiences in Salerno, Italy.
Akamine discusses crossing the Volturno River and his experiences at Cassino. He details about how he was wounded and receiving disability later in life. Akamine also discusses about the time he spent in the hospital.
Akamine discusses the mindset when going into combat and his combat experiences. He reflects on the war and details about burying a German soldier. Akamine also discusses discrimination and reminisces about Lt. Kim.
Akamine discusses about his life after returning from the war. He details about his career after being discharged. Akamine also discusses his family and gives a message to future generations.
Aoki discusses his family and childhood growing up in Hawaii, He details about moving to California and being drafted. Aoki also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and his experiences in Wisconsin.
Aoki discusses his experiences in Mississippi. He details about his combat experiences. Aoki also discusses about getting demoted, injured, and his experiences in Cleveland.
Aoki discusses working with prisoners of war (POW) and his employment once the war was over. He details about his family and children. Aoki also discusses how he met his wife.
Arakaki provides an explanation of the meaning of Nisei and Issei, and discusses his parents immigrating from Okinawa to Hawaii, where they worked on a plantation. He then talks about his upbringing-discussing discipline and household chores,…
Arakaki discusses discrimination faced by Japanese Americans in Hawaii in regards to employment before World War Two, and his employment as a hoist operator at a trucking company. He then talks about his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor…
Arakaki discusses his experiences at Camp Hood and what it was like being a replacement for the 100th Infantry Battalion. He then talks about his assignment on KP (kitchen patrol) duty, going to Chicago while on a furlough, and what it was like…
Arakaki discusses being five points short of being able to go home at the end of the war, so he stayed in Europe and visited Switzerland, Venice, and Rome. He then talks about going to the Mainland and his experiences in New York before going back to…
Ariyoshi discusses his parents immigrating from Japan to Hawaii, his siblings, and his father’s occupations. He then talks about getting thrown out of Japanese language school for fighting, his father speaking about the importance of education, and…
Ariyoshi discusses his experiences in Minnesota while at Military Intelligence Service (MIS), including the cold weather, building an ice skating ring in the barracks, and becoming friends with the local townspeople. Ariyoshi was then shipped out to…
Ariyoshi discusses his experiences becoming an elected representative in Hawaii, and running for lieutenant governor. As lieutenant governor, Ariyoshi worked closely with Governor Jack Burns, and became acting governor when Governor Burns became ill.…
Ariyoshi discusses his transition to business consulting after completing his term as governor of Hawaii, as well some of the other positions he held in various industries. He then talks about meeting his wife, and discusses his children and their…
Doi begins the interview talking about the sugar plantation that he grew up on in Hawaii. He would attend Japanese language school while also attending Honokaʻa School. Next, he talks about his parents, coming over from Yamaguchi prefecture and…
Doi talks more about his high school education, attending Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, where he would learn social values as well as further his education. He would also partake in acting and even get to take part in a Huckleberry Finn play.…
Doi talks about his reasons leading up to joining the Army, including having feelings that the United States would get involved with the war, and forming the Varsity Victory Volunteers (VVV). He would be inducted and be shipped over to the mainland,…
Doi talks more about his time at Camp Shelby, giving a couple of stories of close-calls, one including a grenade and the other including a mine that ended up being a dud. After this, he would head to Europe, where his duties included running supplies…
Doi talks about his whereabouts when he found out about V-E day, deciding to volunteer with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) to fight in the Pacific Theater. However, while in transition between the Europe and Asia, he would be on a furlough…
Doi talks about his involvement with the Democratic Revolution, working with various senators and representatives and eventually getting appointed a judgeship. After this, he speaks about the statehood of Hawaii and what that did for the community.…
Doi finishes the interview talking about his family background and how he is getting along after retirement, doing pro bono work and sharing memories with friends.
K. Fujii discusses his experiences in Occupied Japan. He talks about jobs he had; describes the living conditions of Japanese civilians; and off-duty adventures he went on. He also talks about his life in Hawaii with his family, and shares his…
K. Fujii talks about his experiences in Occupied Japan and his post-war life. He shares anecdotes regarding: post-war Japan living conditions, living in Alaska and Mexico post-war, and experiences as an independent working artist. He also talks about…
K. Fujii shares photographs of his military service in Occupied Japan and basic training; his family; and his artwork. In addition he provides various information and anecdotes that may or may not pertain to the image displayed.
Goto describes growing up on a planation in Ewa, Hawaii and taking the train into Honolulu to go to school. After graduating from high school, Goto worked at a 7UP bottling company as a soda salesman and delivery man. He also talks about being a…
Goto begins by talking about working as a medical supply clerk and veteran service counselor; and then discusses volunteering for the Army and going to Camp Shelby for basic training. Goto talks about the differences between Mainland and Hawaiian…
Goto provides an overview of a headquarters company and all the various platoons that it is made up of. He describes his duties within the headquarters platoon, including following the battalion's executive officer. He also talks about what he…
Goto discusses getting injured in Carrara, Italy and talks about his friendships with other soldiers, including those that were killed in action, and what it was like seeing his war buddies postwar. He then talks about going back to Hawaii at the end…
Hashisaka begins the interview talking about his life, growing up on Kauai and moving to Honolulu and attending McKinley High School. He then talks about his family background, his parents came from Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan and would settle in…
Hashisaka would work at the post office as clerk until he volunteered for the Army as part of the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). He would first head to Schofield Barracks in Honolulu before being sent out on a victory ship to California, where…
Hashisaka talks about his assignment in the Philippines with the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section, capturing documents and translating them. He talks about one of the diaries that he has and the contents of it. He also talks about the…
Hashisaka discusses the war crimes trials that he was involved with, acting as a court interpreter. He brings a charge document from one of the defendants and talks about the intricacies of the trials. He would continue working at the trials until he…
Hashisaka discusses his family background, including his children and grandchildren and their involvement in the oral history program and continuing the history of the Japanese Americans. Next, he discusses telling his own personal story to his…
Higashino and the interviewers introduce themselves. He talks about his parents. He describes what it was like to grow up in a household with three generations of family. He discusses his educational background. He shares his knowledge of Japanese.…
Higashino describes photographs shown on camera. He continues to talk about Japanese language school. He describes his cultural heritage. He discusses volunteering for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He talks about his journey to the Mainland and…
Higashino talks about his interpretation and interrogation work. He describes his return to New Delhi. He discusses volunteering to go to China. He talks about his return to the United States. He shares his other memories of South East Asia. He…
Hishinuma talks about his birthplace in Oahu, Hawaii. He explains how he got his name. He describes his family's poverty. He discusses his life on a plantation. He talks about his father's early life. He describes the Concentration Camps built for…
Hishinuma describes his proficiency in Japanese. He continues to talk about his experiences in Japanese language school. He continues to discuss his induction. He shares his feeling about leaving his home. He talks about the assignments given to…
Hishinuma continues to talk about his work for the Atomic Printing Company. He describes how he and his future wife applied for a marriage license. He discusses his wife application for citizenship. He talks about the female companions that his job…
Hoashi talks in depth about his family and the relationship he had with his grandparents. As he was adopted and his mother had re-married, Seichi was brought up by his grandparents in Kauai, running a boarding house. He talks also about his knowledge…
Hoashi discusses more about growing up on Kauai. At the age of 12, he would begin working at McBride plantation during the summers. He also talks about the impactful people he knew during this period of time. From there, he gives us his whereabouts…
Hoashi discusses his reasons for joining the Army, and the process of induction, getting assigned to a company and getting shipped over to Mississippi. While at Camp Shelby, he would experience segregation in the South while doing his basic training.…
Seian Hokama describes his family's history, his childhood growing up in Okinawa, and his return to Hawaii as a young adult. Hokama recounts being drafted into the military before Pearl Harbor and being recruited for the Military Intelligence Service…
Inaba discusses about what it was like growing up on a coffee farm. He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Inaba also discusses about his career with the credit union.
Inouye discusses his childhood and schooling. He details being a Christian. Inouye also discusses about the political scene of Hawaii and being drafted before Pearl Harbor.
Inouye discusses the events before and after Pearl Harbor. He details about The Battle of Midway. Inouye also discusses the journey to the Mainland and the differences between Mainland and Hawaiian soldiers. He details about the events before…
Inouye discusses receiving a promotion that he did not not want. He details about having an issue with a commanding officer. Inouye also discusses his combat experiences in Italy.
Inouye discusses learning the realities of war. He details about the landing of Salerno and he also reflects on combat decisions. Inouye also discusses how he got wounded.
Inouye discusses five days passes and details more about being wounded. He details about his stay in the hospital and trying to save a clubhouse. Inouye also discusses the recovery process after getting wounded.
Inouye discusses his post-war experiences and about his time spent at Fort Lawton. He details about an indecent during a Japanese orientation class and wanting to goto college. Inouye also discusses his experiences becoming and working as a Dental…
Inouye discusses his wife and attending college. He details about the reactions to the Atomic Bombings. He shows the bullet that wounded him and his entry wound. He also gives a message to future generations.
Ishizaki discusses about her family and education. She details about experiences during the war and her decision to go to occupied Japan. Ishizaki also discusses about her experiences in post-war Japan.
Ishizaki discusses about her family. She details about her experiences in post-war Japan. Ishizaki also discusses about her work duties and her life after returning from Japan.
Ito discusses growing up in Portland, Oregon including talking about attending school and playing sports; speaking mostly English at home; and talking about his parents, including his father's various jobs. He also talks about an incident in which…
Ito describes being a part of an army medical reserve commission, discusses the formation of 442nd Regimental Combat Team; and what it was like being deactivated and later called to active duty and assigned to a hospital surgical service. He also…
Ito talks about postwar experiences including his medical practice, keeping in touch with other soldiers in the 1399th Engineer Battalion and going to a reunion every Christmas; and discussing his brother's decision to volunteer for Military…
Ito discusses his thoughts and advice for future generations of Japanese Americans regarding ambition, education, discipline, hard work, health, and medicine. He also talks about his work as a doctor in a private practice and also discusses medical…
Kagawa discusses growing up in Waimea, family, and his educational experiences. He details about why he volunteered for the army and what he remembers about December 7, 1941. Kagawa also discusses the events after Pearl Harbor.
Kagawa discusses his experiences at Camp McCoy and Camp Shelby. He details about heading overseas and when he realized "this is war". Kagawa also discusses the duties of Headquarters Company, paying respect to deceased German soldiers, and the Battle…
Kagawa discusses more about the Battle of Monte Cassino. He details about rest and relaxation, gaining replacements, and receiving a unit citation. Kagawa also discusses about the Arno Campaign and heading into France.
Kagawa discusses about his experiences in Bruyeres. He details about being wounded and the recovery process. Kagawa also discusses about his life after returning to Hawaii.
Kagawa reflects on the war and gives a message to future generations. He details about the legacy of Nisei soldiers. Kagawa also shows some newspaper articles that his saved.
Kono discusses his parents immigration from Japan; talks about growing up in a village where sugar cane is produced; and talks about attending school and Japanese language school. He then discusses the reasons why he was sent to Japanese language…
Kono discusses his employment after high school and during the war in the grocery department of Theo H. Davies Company and talks about witnessing discrimination there. He then talks about his high school friendships and classmates; attending high…
Kono reads a poem he wrote and sent to his niece while overseas; discusses his experiences going to New York during rest and relaxation (R&R); and talks about his Military Intelligence Service (MIS) assignment after training. He then talks about…
Kono discusses his experiences cave-flushing which involved talking Japanese civilians and soldiers out of caves. He then talks about his assignment in occupied Japan; getting discharged; and his experiences interrogating Japanese POWs. Next, Kono…
Kono discusses suicides of civilians on Saipan; and discusses his best wartime memories which included food, and recreational activities. He then talks about seeing his family again and his post-war life in Hawaii; discusses the end of the war; and…
Kono discusses his post-war career working for the Dole Company, the East-West Center, his work on a project regarding the centennial of Japanese immigration to Hawaii, and some of his other employment opportunities. He then talks about some of his…
Meada discusses his childhood and religion. He details about being drafted into the Army and December 7, 1941. Meada also discusses working at the post exchange and his journey to California.
Matsuo discusses about growing up in Aala Park and his family. He details about Sansei and Yonsei, as well as his experiences growing up poor. Matsuo also discusses about his current state in life.
Matsuo discusses Sanseis and his upbringing. He details about his first job and the rest of his career path. Matsuo also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its' aftermath, and being drafted.
Matsuo discusses about what he learned from being a Mess Sergeant. He details life after being discharged. Matsuo also discusses about starting and running his own business.
Matsuo discusses about becoming a Republican and a Ambassador of Good Will for Hawaii. He details about his wife and children. Matsuo also discusses about thoughts of giving up and persevering; he also gives his closing remarks.
Miyashiro discusses his childhood including his community and neighborhood; friendships; and how he got his nickname. He then talks about his father's employment as a taxi driver, his mother's death, his siblings, attending Japanese language school,…
Miyashiro talks about traveling by train to Camp Shelby; the Hattiesburg townspeople including Earl Finch; and basic training. He then talks about traveling overseas including getting seasick and gambling; and discusses joining up with the 100th in…
Miyashiro discusses his combat experiences at Biffontaine, and talks about his experiences after he was captured by the German soldiers and taken as a POW. He then talks about his experiences in the prison camp and getting liberated by American…
Miyashiro talks about his post-war experiences in Sacramento; discusses the food in the POW camp; and talks about the checkpoint between East and West Germany (checkpoint Charlie) and Russian POWs, He then talks about returning back to Hawaii and…
Miyashiro discusses one of his good childhood friends, [Mitchell] and talks about their wartime experiences together in France and Italy. He then talks about his family members including discussing his in-laws and a contest where his father-in-law…
Miyashiro and the interviewers introduce themselves. Miyashiro explains how he got his name. He describes what it was like to grow up on a homestead in Hawaii. He talks about his experiences in primary school. He discusses his father's personality.…
Miyashiro talks about his interest in opera. He describes the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the aftermath. He explains how he volunteered for the military. He discusses the induction process. He recites his serial number. He talks about his interactions…
Miyashiro explains his family's means of transportation in Hawaii. He talks about his arrival in Europe. He describes what he did with his military pass. He discusses preparing for combat and his first time in combat. He explains how his unit…
Miyashiro talks about the food that he found in a German soldiers foxhole. He describes how his unit liberated Bruyères, France. He discusses no man's land. He explains how he volunteered for the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He talks about the…
Miyashiro explains his reaction to a soldier who died because of friendly fire. He talks about the end of World War Two. He describes what happened when he tried to get military passes for his squad. He discusses a high ranking officer. He describes…
Moriyama and the interviewers introduce themselves. Moriyama talks about the surrender of Japan. He describes his experience in Military Intelligence Service Language School and Japanese language school. He discusses the languages that were spoken in…
Moriyama describes his military duties during occupation. He explains the attitudes of civilians during the occupation. He describes what he did during his leisure time. He discusses his friendship with a Japanese family. He shares his other…
Muramatsu discusses his family and childhood. He details about being drafted, Pearl Harbor, and its aftermath. Muramatsu also discusses about going to the Mainland and experiences at Camp McCoy.
Muramatsu discusses about his experiences on the Mainland, at Camp Shelby, and maneuvers. He details about the 100th Club, being assigned to and experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Muramatsu also discusses about his post-war life.…
