The NVMC ignites human potential by inspiring people to find the hero in themselves through the legacy of the Nisei Veterans.
We envision a community where all people act selflessly for the greater good.
Being selfless for the greater good.
Leading by example.
Living in gratitude.
Inspiring courage in adversity.
Doing the right thing, always.
The NVMC Board of Directors represents a variety of Nisei veterans organizations including the 442nd Veterans Club, the 100th Infantry Veterans, and the Military Intelligence Service as well as related organizations including the Maui AJA Veterans Club, the West Maui AJA Veterans Club, the Maui Sons and Daughters of Nisei Veterans, and at-large directors from the community.
Director of Owner Relations
Aqua-Aston Hospitality
Project Management & Marketing Coordinator
Sae Design Group
Attorney
AVP Maui Commercial Banking
Central Pacific Bank
Vietnam Combat Veteran
Artist
Pharmacy Technician Training Program Coordinator
Allied Health Technical Programs, University of Hawaii – Maui College
Senior Advisor
Munekiyo Hiraga
Operations Manager
Mahi Pono
Teacher
Iao Middle School
Vice President
HouseMart
Insurance Agent
Mutual Underwriters
Retired Co-founder and Chairman of the Board
Arisumi Brothers, Inc.
Deidre Tegarden, Executive Director
Deidre Tegarden is Executive Director of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, Maui, Hawaii, a position she has had since 2016. As a young woman she spent many years studying and working in Japan and China, an experience that shaped her deep respect for the contributions Asian cultures have made to Hawaii. She has extensive experience in non-profit and public sector administration and prior to joining the NVMC, she served as Chief of Protocol for the State of Hawaii in the administrations of Governors Neil Abercrombie and David Ige. Her facility with languages, Japanese and Chinese, proved beneficial in her duties which included meeting with heads of state worldwide, supervising visits of foreign dignitaries, managing official state ceremonies, and serving as an advisor on international relations and efforts to attract commerce and tourism to Hawaii. Before her work at the state-level, she was Director of the Maui County Office of Economic Development; Executive Director of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Maui; and past president of the Rotary Club of Kahului. She serves on the board of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and is a member of the U.S. – Japan Council, as well as an honorary member of the Alpha Delta Kappa Maui Chapter. She is a graduate of University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese and Chinese Studies and is a Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Fellow, a past recipient of Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40 Award and a recipient of the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui’s Nihon Bunka award.
Melanie Agrabante, Research Archivist
Melanie began volunteering with the NVMC in about 2008, in 2013 she was offered the position of Office Manager, and in 2017 she was asked to become the center’s first Research Archivist. She is also an avid photographer whose work is often featured in NVMC news releases. Born and raised on Maui, Melanie graduated from Maui High and has Associate Degree in Information & Computer Science from the University of Hawaii and an Associate Degree in Event Planning from the International Festival and Events Association. She studied hula under Aunty Emma Sharpe and today enjoys participating in Japanese Bon dance as well as crafting, especially crochet.
The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in Hawaii in December 1991 with the goal of building a lasting tribute to the Nisei veterans of World War II. However, its beginning goes back to 1982 when Leonard Oka, whose father Clarence “Hekka” Oka was a veteran of the 442nd, founded Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the 442nd, the first such organization in the nation. It later became the Maui Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans.
Under Leonard Oka’s leadership, the NVMC was originally envisioned to be the responsible receptacle and caretaker of the history, memorabilia and artifacts of Nisei veterans. Over time a wider vision developed to encourage a larger community impact by building a “living memorial,” the NVMC campus. The gift of two acres of land from Maui Sons and Daughters of Nisei Veterans to NVMC set the stage for 20 years of facility development.
A project of this magnitude demands the support and conviction of many people and many organizations.
The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center was formed in 1991 by representatives of all of the veterans organizations on Maui associated with Japanese Americans of World War II, including:
Founded in 1989, the center’s mission is to educate and inspire character and equality through the virtue and valor of World War II American veterans of Japanese ancestry. “Go For Broke” was the motto of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, an army unit comprised of Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland U.S.
Formed in 1947 as an organization for men who served in all branches of the US armed forces in World War II, it now includes veterans of all US conflicts since. The organization’s purpose is “to perpetuate the memory of our fallen comrades and to do what they would have done had they returned.” To that end, members are dedicated to community and civic service. It sponsors a high school scholarship program (open to all qualified students, regardless of ethnicity), interest-free student loans, and the PONY baseball league.
Veterans, wives and widows of the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion. Members are active in community service, and each September hold a memorial service at our Center to commemorate the first 100th Infantry Battalion casualty in Italy on September 29, 1943.
Formed in 1951, one of the organizations’ purposes is “to preserve the memory of the supreme sacrifice made by our fallen comrades.” The Club has been an active fund-raising partner of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center.
Veterans, wives and widows of the men who were Japanese language specialists in World War II.
Founded in 1946 by veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team living in the Lahaina area. It is active in
promoting community and civic activities in the community.
Formed in 1981, the purpose of the organization is to perpetuate the memory and accomplishments of the Japanese Amercian soldiers of World War II. It is actively compiling oral histories of WWII veterans, and maintains an archive center of books, documents and memorabilia from the Nisei veterans and their families.
