History

Arnold T. Hiura Reprinted from Nov. 1, 1985, Hawai‘i Herald Editor’s note: Had he not died unexpectedly in 1996 at the still-young age of 60, you can be sure that actor Danny Kamekona would have joined his huge ‘ohana at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i earlier this year to commemorate the arrival 150 years....

Richard Borreca Special to The Hawai‘i Herald In 1968, Rona Adams, a retired Army captain now living in Kailua, O‘ahu, was serving as the head emergency room nurse for the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon. Memories of that experience rushed back to her this past May during a Honolulu memorial service marking the 50th anniversary....

The “People of the First Year” Were Hawai‘i’s First Japanese Immigrants Kei Suzuki Re-edited from “Hawai‘i’s AJA Pioneers” Editor’s note: The year 2018 marks 150 years since the Gannenmono, or “First-Year People,” arrived in Hawai‘i in June 1868. This first group of immigrants planted the seeds of today’s Japanese community in Hawai‘i. This milestone anniversary....

The Little-Known Story of the Landmarks Left by World War II Italian Prisoners of War Gregg K. Kakesako Special to The Hawai‘i Herald During World War II, some 3,000 Okinawan soldiers, conscripts and civilians were imprisoned in Hawai‘i as prisoners of war. Twelve of them died while in captivity here in Hawai‘i and were buried....

Retired MG Arthur Ishimoto Published with Permission Editor’s note: The following remarks were delivered by MIS veteran and retired MG Arthur Ishimoto at the luncheon banquet of the Military Intelligence Service Veterans National Reunion on March...

From Issei Entrepreneur to Sansei Business Major, Hirano Store Has a Rich History Patsy Y. Iwasaki Special to The Hawai‘i Herald Buckets of rain had been falling in East Hawai‘i all week long and it looked like it was going to be another soggy and overcast day. But the gloomy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits....

Dan Nakasone Special to The Hawai‘i Herald It was noon on Sept. 27, 1948, when the USS John Owen made landfall at White Beach, the U.S. naval facility on the eastern coast of Okinawa island, near the tip of Katsuren peninsula. Onboard the ship was a precious cargo of 536 pigs that had survived the....

The Queen’s May 1901 Visit to Hongwanji Temple is Remembered and Celebrated Kristen Nemoto Jay Special to The Hawai‘i Herald This past Nov. 11 marked 100 years since the passing of Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, the beloved Queen Lili‘uokalani. The anniversary of her passing and the legacy she left in stories, her music, and in....

They Strengthened Their Bond as Brothers After Serving Opposing Sides in the Battle of Okinawa By Byrnes Yamashita Special to The Hawai‘i Herald Do you sometimes think about how a simple twist of fate changed your life and the lives of others? As the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the end of World War....

Patsy Y. Iwasaki Special to The Hawai‘i Herald The more I learn about Katsu Goto, the more determined I am to share the fascinating story of his short life with others. I have been pursuing this...