The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (NVMC) project today announced plans to build an Intergenerational Center as the first phase of a multi-purpose center on Kahului Beach Road.  The Intergenerational Center, which will be open to all in the community, will include an adult day care facility and a preschool.  This award-winning concept, which will be a first for Maui, brings the seniors and preschoolers together on a daily basis, and is being implemented in leading communities across the country and around the world.

Center co-founder Leonard Oka and Center president Hiroshi Arisumi review site plans.

Hiroshi Arisumi, president of the NVMC board of directors said, “Time is of the essence to start construction so that as many Nisei veterans as possible will be able to walk the center being built in their honor.  Therefore, we have developed a two-stage construction plan: we will start construction in mid-2003 on the preschool, and at the same time are working to raise the balance of funds needed for the adult day care facility.  

"We have faced many obstacles and delays over the years, but we have also received tremendous support from the community.  And so we are reaching out into the community to help us on this final push to bring to life an intergenerational center to serve Maui’s families.”

Maui County Mayor
Alan Arakawa

“We as a community owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Nisei veterans.  They went to war against a backdrop of racial discrimination which saw their fellow Japanese-Americans being locked in internment camps.  

"We applaud the project not only for the lasting tribute that it represents, but also for the vision of the group to once again respond to the needs in our community.  Their legacy will live on in this tremendous resource they are building for the families of Maui.”