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Memorial Day was Not Observed in Hakalau in the Early Days
According to newspaper accounts, Memorial Day was first observed on the Big Island in 1897, during the period after the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and imprisonment of Queen Liliuokalani and before the Hawaiian Islands became a territory of the United States in 1900. Big Island Services and pagentry took place only in Hilo.
World War II Changed Everything
Based on newspaper research to date, it doesn't appear that Memorial Day was important within the Hakalau Kuleana (i.e., Kolekole to Poupou Stream in Ninole) until World War II when the area lost 12 boys and men during this war.
These 12 men came from various camps throughout Hakalau Plantation including Wailea, Hakalau Up and Down Camps, Chin Chuck, Kamaee Mauka, Honohina and Ninole. They were all Nisei, with parents having immigrated in the period from 1893 to 1916. Many went to Japanese Language School after regular school and were in the Young Buddhist Association. They also attended quite a range of community activities from baseball to Boy Scouts. Most went to Hakalau School or John M. Ross School. Most graduated from Hilo High, some from Laupahoehoe High. While the Plantation wanted them in its workforce, their teachers often instilled a desire to look beyond that.
Over half of them had been in plantation work at jobs like field laborer, electrician, carpenter and store clerk. The rest had moved to Honolulu and were working as electricians or going to business school. Some were already in the Hawaii National Guard before December 7th and later joined the newly formed 100th Battalion. Newspapers show that an occasion such as a Chicken Hekka dinner was often held in Hakalau to honor these men as they enlisted.
Ten of the 12 were with the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as it fought in numerous battles starting with Cassino, Italy after landing in Salerno in September 1943; then France from September 1944 to March 1945; and ending up back in Italy in April 1945 for a surprise attack on Nazi mountainside positions for which the unit received yet another Presidential Unit Citation.
Nine of these Hakalau men were lost in the period of 12 months from November 1943 to November 1944, with the last dying in a plane crash right after the war ended. Two others died. One by a submarine torpedo 30 miles north of Upolu Point and the other drown by accident while in training as an interpreter.
Available here is background on the twelve fallen soldiers from WWII listed on the Hakalau monumument along with one each from WW I and the Korean Conflict, and two from Viet Nam. The account of Pvt Onso Chinen's death, the return of his remains, and the community's services for him are a good example of the way in which the community showed its respect and gratitude.
According to newspaper accounts, Memorial Day was first observed on the Big Island in 1897, during the period after the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and imprisonment of Queen Liliuokalani and before the Hawaiian Islands became a territory of the United States in 1900. Big Island Services and pagentry took place only in Hilo.
World War II Changed Everything
Based on newspaper research to date, it doesn't appear that Memorial Day was important within the Hakalau Kuleana (i.e., Kolekole to Poupou Stream in Ninole) until World War II when the area lost 12 boys and men during this war.
These 12 men came from various camps throughout Hakalau Plantation including Wailea, Hakalau Up and Down Camps, Chin Chuck, Kamaee Mauka, Honohina and Ninole. They were all Nisei, with parents having immigrated in the period from 1893 to 1916. Many went to Japanese Language School after regular school and were in the Young Buddhist Association. They also attended quite a range of community activities from baseball to Boy Scouts. Most went to Hakalau School or John M. Ross School. Most graduated from Hilo High, some from Laupahoehoe High. While the Plantation wanted them in its workforce, their teachers often instilled a desire to look beyond that.
Over half of them had been in plantation work at jobs like field laborer, electrician, carpenter and store clerk. The rest had moved to Honolulu and were working as electricians or going to business school. Some were already in the Hawaii National Guard before December 7th and later joined the newly formed 100th Battalion. Newspapers show that an occasion such as a Chicken Hekka dinner was often held in Hakalau to honor these men as they enlisted.
Ten of the 12 were with the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team as it fought in numerous battles starting with Cassino, Italy after landing in Salerno in September 1943; then France from September 1944 to March 1945; and ending up back in Italy in April 1945 for a surprise attack on Nazi mountainside positions for which the unit received yet another Presidential Unit Citation.
Nine of these Hakalau men were lost in the period of 12 months from November 1943 to November 1944, with the last dying in a plane crash right after the war ended. Two others died. One by a submarine torpedo 30 miles north of Upolu Point and the other drown by accident while in training as an interpreter.
Available here is background on the twelve fallen soldiers from WWII listed on the Hakalau monumument along with one each from WW I and the Korean Conflict, and two from Viet Nam. The account of Pvt Onso Chinen's death, the return of his remains, and the community's services for him are a good example of the way in which the community showed its respect and gratitude.
The 1940s
PVT ONSO CHINEN was killed November 29, 1943 in Italy, his memorial service took place in March 1949 at the Hakalau Jodo Mission.
Onso's father had immigrated in 1901 and his mother in 1912. Onso was raised in Chin Chuck, graduated from Hakalau, then worked for Hakalau Plantation until he enlisted in June 1941, months before the December 7th attack.
PVT Chinen was killed on the Mediterranean front while serving with the 100th Battalion. The 100th had landed in Salerno, Italy on September 22, 1943, and Onso was killed on November 29, 2 months after their first casualty. The objectives for the 100th on that day were to the vicinity of Cerasuola and then to Cardito, villages about 35 miles from Salerno. Casualties were heavy and they were stopped on Hill 832 by well-entrenched enemy groups. By this time, and after much fighting, the 100th had already earned its reputation.
Survived by his mother, 3 brothers and 4 sisters, his remains were returned to the Big Isle in February 1949 for burial at the Veterans Cemetery in Hilo. A month later, services were held for him at the Hakalau Jodo Mission. A picture of the attendees was taken in front of the mission with the caption "The silent triumphant return of Private Onso Chinen".
Onso's father had immigrated in 1901 and his mother in 1912. Onso was raised in Chin Chuck, graduated from Hakalau, then worked for Hakalau Plantation until he enlisted in June 1941, months before the December 7th attack.
PVT Chinen was killed on the Mediterranean front while serving with the 100th Battalion. The 100th had landed in Salerno, Italy on September 22, 1943, and Onso was killed on November 29, 2 months after their first casualty. The objectives for the 100th on that day were to the vicinity of Cerasuola and then to Cardito, villages about 35 miles from Salerno. Casualties were heavy and they were stopped on Hill 832 by well-entrenched enemy groups. By this time, and after much fighting, the 100th had already earned its reputation.
Survived by his mother, 3 brothers and 4 sisters, his remains were returned to the Big Isle in February 1949 for burial at the Veterans Cemetery in Hilo. A month later, services were held for him at the Hakalau Jodo Mission. A picture of the attendees was taken in front of the mission with the caption "The silent triumphant return of Private Onso Chinen".
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Please note: In the article regarding the 1945 Memorial Service, the reference to 11 war heroes killed in World War II excluded the 12th, Sgt. Hiroyuki Hiramoto, who died in a plane crash en route home in November 1945, after the May service.
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Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 27, 1945, page 3, accessed via Newspapers.com
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Planning for a war memorial began in 1946, initially envisioned as a memorial swimming pool. The swimming pool never materialized.
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Hawaii Tribune Herald, March 13, 1946, page 3, accessed via Newspapers.com
Hawaii Tribune Herald, June 22, 1947, page 8, accessed via Newspapers.com
The 1950s
There were only three accounts of Hakalau Memorial Day services noted in Hawaii Herald Tribune (that we found). The one local man who died fighting in the Korean Conflict, Sgt. Jun Matsushige, was honored along with the 12 WWII fallen soldiers.
Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 26, 1946, page 4,
accessed via Newspapers.com |
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The 1960s
Ultimately, Hakalau's war memorial was a granite monument first unveiled at a Memorial Day Service on May 30, 1965 at the Hakalau School Park, now known as Hakalau Veterans Park. Over time, 4 more names were added from other wars and conflicts: World War I (unknown when added, but probably last), Korea (added in 1997), and Viet Nam (added in 1987). Thankfully, we’ve lost none to subsequent wars.
Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 19, 1965, accessed via Newspapers.com
Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 29, 1965, page 3, accessed via Newspapers.com
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Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 29, 1965, accessed via Newspapers.com
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Hawaii Tribune Herald, May 26, 1968, page 2, accessed via Newspapers.com
The 1970s-1990s: Population Decline, the End of Sugar
The period leading up to the end of the sugar industry in 1994 was devastating for the Hakalau Kuleana, from Kolekole to the Poupou Stream in Ninole. Plantation camps were removed either through purchase of the camp houses on a removal basis or demolition. A good account cites the late Waichi Ouye, describing the impact on Hakalau.
During this time, Memorial Day services continued. Newspaper notices and a few articles were published in the 1970s and 1980s, although nothing in the 1990s.
Here are some examples from photos provided by Rev. Hakushi Tamura and corresponding newspaper article for 1987 photo.
During this time, Memorial Day services continued. Newspaper notices and a few articles were published in the 1970s and 1980s, although nothing in the 1990s.
Here are some examples from photos provided by Rev. Hakushi Tamura and corresponding newspaper article for 1987 photo.
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1987
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1989
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From Left to Right: ?, Father Avery, Rev. Hakushi Tamura, Mayor Dante Carpenter. Photo courtesy of Rev. Hakushi Tamura of the Hakalau Jodo Mission from 1979-1997.
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Photo taken by Rev. Hakushi Tamura, June 24, 1989
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Hawaii Tribune Herald, June 17, 1987, p. 10, access via Newspapers.com
2000-2025: Steadfast Commitment to Honor our Fallen Soldiers by Oldtimers and New Residents.
At least one Gold Star family has attended each service, except when ill or out of town. Here are some photos from 2015 and 2017 thanks to Danny Escalona, friend of Lester Alipio, who died during Viet Nam. Danny took professional photographs of the service for many, many years in honor of his friend. We are grateful.
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Memorial Day 2015 and 2017 courtesy of Danny Escalona
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This page is a work in progress. There are more stories and more photos to share. If you have something you would like to share, CONTACT US!
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