Memorial Day
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The Hakalau Jodo Mission hosts Memorial Day services at the Hakalau Veterans Memorial Park each year. Current and former residents and relatives of those killed in military conflict gather to show respect and celebrate our community life.
2025 marked 60 years since the dedication of the recently restored monument. This year's audience was about 65, much larger than usual, thanks to the active involvement of the Veterans Advisory Committee to Parks and Recreation and the American Legion Post 3. Highlights:
 The monument, dedicated in 1965, was restored in February 2025.
The 16 young men listed on the memorial came from the area extending from Kolekole to Ninole.
Our cultural values include honoring those who came before us. Hakalau memorial services for each soldier have always been well-attended and usually included speeches by community leaders. Services have been held annually at Hakalau Veterans Park on Memorial Day weekend and continue to this day. In memory of these boys from Hakalau-Ninole who gave their lives in: World War 1: Pvt.Thomas Smith World War 2: Pvt. Onso Chinen Sgt. Hiroyuki Hiramoto Cpl. Isamu Ikeda Pvt. Yasuo Kaneshiro Pfc. Yoshitaka Kataoka Pfc. Satoshi Matsuoka Pfc. Toshiaki Morimoto Pfc. Hiroshi Motoishi Pvt. Saburo Nakazato Sgt. Masayoshi Ogata Pvt. Yeishun Allen Soken* *bio contributed by High School Student Neve Enriquez, mentored by Mrs. Kelly Uyeda, Waiakea High School, 2018-2019, as part of the National History Day program Sgt. Ronald K. Takara Korean Conflict: Cpl. Jun Matsushige Vietnam War: Sgt. Lester W. Alipio Spc. Bobby J. Barcena The bios of all 16 men are available here: 
Memorial Day 2025. 21 Gun Salute by the American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard Firing Party. From mauka to makai (L to R): Mathias Thornley, Larry Nahalea Sr, Cyrus Wilson, Dennis Rocha, Stephan Kitagawa, Arnold Ishii, Tom Fujita.
Memorial Day 2025: . Ray Gandy, a two tour Vietnam veteran and retired brigadier general, played “America the Beautiful” after the 21 Gun salute by the American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard Firing Party. Ray Gandy uses a 1892 “Field Trumpet”, also known as a bugle. This is the same model still used at Arlington Cemetery by the Army and Marine Corps. We are grateful to Ray for his participation in our service over many years.
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Rev. Junshin Miyazaki chanted the sutra, recognized those listed on the memorial, and welcomed all.
Our Speaker, Paul Austria, Hakalau Boy, Immediate Past Commander of the American Legion Post 3
Memorial Day 20235: Our speaker this year was Paul Austria, Immediate Past Commander of the American Legion Post 3. Paul was born and raised in Hakalau (Down Camp) and, as a boy scout, was present for the didication of the memorial in 1965.
Recognizing Gold Star families and friends and the Veterans Among Us
As Michael Doolitle acknowledged the veterans and Gold Star Families, our large crowd enjoyed the view of the monument and the abundant flowers.
Three Gold Star Families and friends were present to honor Pfc. Yeishun Soken, Pfc. Hiroshi Motoishi, and Sgt. Lester Alipio.
The Soken Family
Memorial Day 2025: Shown here are 98 year old Mieko Soken who would have been sister-in-law to Pfc. Soken, her daughter Karen Wakata, her great-granddaughter Sammy Stone, and her son Patrick Soken.
The Motoishi Family
Memorial Day 2025: from Left to Right: Motoishi Family Sue Escalona, Michelle (Motoishi) Ferreira, Mike Motoishi, and Vietnam Veteran Maurice Motoda.
The Alipio Family
Memorial Day 2025: Growing up, Paul Austria lived in Down Camp, next door to the Alipio family who lost their only son, Lester, in Vietnam. Here from Left to Right: Cynthia Agan – Reis, Reinior Simeon ( originally from Hakalau), Yvonne Agan-Ferreira, Paul Austria, Audrey (Alipio) Fujimoto
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The "All American" Lunch was a big hit!
Hot dogs, potato salad, bean salad, ranch beans, potato chips, and lots of desserts. Abundant talk story.
Hot dogs, potato salad, bean salad, ranch beans, potato chips, and lots of desserts. Abundant talk story.
Memorial Day 2025: Rev. Miyazaki and Kitchen "Boss" Virginia Juettner are enjoying their "All American" lunch.
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Photographs by Elizabeth Hansen