Pvt. Yasuo Kaneshiro, June 2, 1944

Yasuo went to Hakalau School, then Hilo High.  Before entering the service, he was a store clerk at the Wailea Milling Company, adjacent to Hakalau Plantation.  He joined the Army in March 1943 when the call came to form the 442nd.
 
PVT Kaneshiro served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Battalion, Company B.  On June 2, 1944, the 100th was in battle around Lanuvio, Italy, about 19 miles southeast of Rome - the push on the final German stronghold south of Rome.  He was killed on that day.  He was awarded a Bronze Star.
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Pvt. Yasuo Kaneshiro
In July 1944 memorial services were held in Hakalau at the Eugene Capellas Hall at Hakalau School, including several community leaders serving as speakers.  He was survived by his parents, 2 sisters and 4 brothers, and was buried at Punchbowl, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
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!