Cpl. Jun Matsushige, November 29, 1952

​JUN MATSUSHIGE, November 29, 1952
Jun was born and raised in Ninole.  He went to John M. Ross School in Honohina and graduated from Laupahoehoe High School in 1950.  He was drafted in November 1951 while working for Yamane Contractor in Kukuihaele.  
 
CPL Matsushige was fighting with the 223rd Infantry Regiment in the North Korea sector when he was seriously wounded on Nov 13, 1952.  He was taken to Japan for hospital care and died there on Nov 29, 1952.
Picture
Cpl. Jun Matsushige
A prayer service was held at the Ninole family home on December 3, 1952, with the Rev. Takeo Akegarasu minister Hilo Higashi Hongwanji officiating.  Then, in January 1953, hundreds of relatives, friends and neighbors attended a funeral service for him.  Following the service, military rites were held at the Veterans Cemetery in Hilo.  Six Ninole veterans served as his pallbearers. He was survived by his mother, 3 brothers and a sister.
For the Hakalau Kuleana, our responsibility is to care for the land, the people, and the culture. We are guided by cultural values of YESTERDAY: Engage in collective effort. Look out for each other. Honor hard work. Show respect for those who came before us. Aloha and Mālama `Aina. In 2021, Akiko Masuda added two more values to the list: Consistently show up. Whatever has to be done, jump in and do it!