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In the quiet of the morning our brand new Center stood ready to receive the veterans and their families. |
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The Center's parking was designated for those who use walkers and wheelchairs, and all other guests were shuttled in from Maui Community College. |
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Veterans were asked to sign a banner hosted by the Maui Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans. On the banner, which read "We Will Never Forget," the veterans listed buddies who were killed in action, or have since passed away. |
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At 9 a.m. a capacity crowd joined us for our opening ceremonies.
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Our honored guests, the Nisei veterans, were asked to rise to be recognized -- and thanked.
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Senator Dan Akaka shared his Aloha with the crowd. |
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Congressman Ed Case talked about how the Nisei veterans not only showed extraordinary bravery on the battlefield, but came back to Hawaii and battled for rights and opportunities for all. |
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Reflecting our multicultural community, the Center received blessings from Reverend H. Kalani Wong, associate pastor of Iao Congregational Church, and Reverend Shinkai Murakami, senior minister of Wailuku Hongwanji Mission. |
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Leonard Oka, who founded the very first Sons and Daughters organization in the country, and who has been a guiding force of our Center for its 20+ year history, thanked the engineers, designers and contractors who donated their time to make our Center a reality. |
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Mayor Alan Arakawa shared personal recollections of his family's plight during World War II, and his gratitude to the Nisei soldiers. |
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The crowd was treated to traditional Japanese songs by the Nichigobu Choir. |
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Kansha Preschool director Charlene Doi and Maui Adult Day Care Centers executive director Sandy Freeman talked about the intergenerational center and the exciting programs planned between the keiki and seniors. |
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Senator Shan Tsutsui and Representative Joe Souki were recognized for their significant contribution, along with Representative Bob Nakasone, in securing State funding for our Center. |
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Center executive director Barbara Watanabe shared with the veterans that we will be building an Education Center, which will be the heart and soul of our memorial as it uses taped interviews of the Nisei veterans, photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia donated by families to tell future generations about the Nisei soldiers: what they withstood... and what they stood for. |
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Leslie Kuloloio shared a Hawaiian blessing, and asked the crowd to help bring good spirits into the room. |
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Finally it was time to untie the maile lei! Doing the honors were Center presdient Hiroshi Arisumi and board member Leonard Oka. Standing by to help was architect Earl Kono who donated all of his services in designing our beautiful Center. |
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Center president Hiroshi Arisumi concluded with some thoughts about the Center. He shared how he first thought about building a memorial while serving with the 232nd Engineers in Italy. "I wanted to build something so the fellas who died over there would know that we would never forget them," he said. |
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Center board member Roy Katsuda lead the crowd in joyful Banzais! |
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Guests then streamed into the buildings to share in food and fellowship. |
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Thanks to all of you, we did it! A living memorial to the Japanese-American soldiers of World War II who fought for their country with uncommon valor, and quelled distrust in their country with uncommon dignity. |
