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2004
May: Governor Ariyoshi keynote speaker at 2nd annual benefit event
August: Groundbreaking for Phase I: Preschool and Sitework
September: 100th Infantry Veterans: 60 Year Promise
September: Maui AJA Veterans donate $100,000 to Center capital campaign
October: Every Grain of Rice receives prestigious literary award
 Leslie Kuloloio of
Paia Hawaiian Protestant Church
Kuloloio explained that the ancient Hawaiians treasured the site, as it is situated near four rivers, and has a view from the ocean to the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala.
He then asked the crowd to repeat the oft-heard phrase, “Ohana ka kou” which translates to “our family.” In Hawaiian, the reference is not just to family members assembled at that time, but to all of their ancestors as well.
Kuloloio noted that the intergenera-tional center to be built at that site perpetuates the generational uplifting of “Ohana ka kou.”
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Groundbreaking!
August 7, 2004
(L-R) Alan Arakawa, Maui County Mayor; Hiroshi Arisumi, 442nd Veteran, Center president;
Mercer "Chubby" Vicens, Vice President, A&B Properties; Charmaine Tavares, Maui County Council; Earl Kono, Riecke Sunnland Kono architects; Warren Unemori (obscured), Warren S. Unemori Engineering
Tady Arisumi, Arisumi Brothers, Inc. (project general contractor); George Kaya, representing Governor Linda Lingle; Joseph Souki (obscured), State Representative; Dain Kane, Maui County Council Chairman
The summer sun was scorching, but faces were smiling as supporters gathered for the blessing and groundbreaking ceremonies for the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center on Saturday, August 7th.
 NVMC executive director Barbara Watanabe provided a vision for the future that paid homage to the Native Hawaiian community that had once inhabited the site over 400 years ago. She noted that on this site families nurtured their young, cared for their elderly, and as was the custom as the time, buried loved ones close to their homes.
In describing the Center’s plans for an Intergenerational Center, she noted that it is a 21st century construct of the values reflected in the Hawaiian community: nurturing the young, and providing a means for working families to keep their elders in the fold, by providing day time care so that the seniors may return to the family home in the evening.
The Reverend George Kitagawa of Wailuku Shingon Mission lead the Buddhist blessing of the site, asking guests to put their hands together in prayer to direct positive energy upwards.
The first phase of construction will include the 1,300 square foot Preschool building, and all of the site work, including highway access to and from the Center, driveway, parking lot, and playground.
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