Pfc. Eishun Allen Soken, January 28, 1942

Killed off the Big Isle by a Japanese submarine torpedo
Eishun Soken grew up in Waiakea Uka, Up Camp Hakalau and Wailea where his father worked for the Plantation. His father had immigrated from Okinawa in 1907. Eishun had been working for the Wailea Milling Company for 8 years from age 16 then he enlisted voluntarily in Nov 1941, right before the December 7th attack.
  
On January 28, 1942, PFC Soken and 25 other Big Isle soldiers were bound for Kawaihae Harbor on the Royal T. Frank after boot camp at Schofield Barracks on Oahu. About 30 miles north of Upolu Point, the ship was struck by a Japanese submarine torpedo. Seventeen of the 26 Big Isle soldiers were killed. The remaining 9 went on to serve throughout the war. All survived.  
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Pfc. Eishun Allen Soken
Services were held on February 5, 1942 at the family's Wailea home. Included were Rev. Sokabe of the Honomu Japanese Christian Church, Eishun's parents, two brothers and two sisters. ​
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!