The 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor has come and gone. Kudos must be given to the many individuals who put together a host of programs to honor the military men and women who were killed on or who survived “the date that would live in infamy.”
However, it must be pointed out that there was a huge omission in program planning. Over nine days, more than 60 commemorative events were presented: tours, lectures, symposiums, speeches, wreath-laying, prayer services, film showings, bell-ringing, concerts, gala fundraisers and even a friendly baseball game.
Sadly and regrettably, not one program focused on the 49 civilian who were killed as a result of American anti-aircraft shells (friendly fire) that rained down upon Oahu communities that day.
As a researcher of Dec. 7 civilian casualties for more than 20 years, it broke my heart to find out (six weeks prior to Dec. 7) that these civilians were once again being forgotten. I immediately contacted officials at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument to point out this omission, and was told they would try to put something together at the last minute.
At first I was hopeful. Even a hastily arranged program would be better than nothing. But as the days passed, my hopes were sadly dashed. The entire anniversary period went by, with the world focused on Hawaii, and the National Park Service failed to squeeze in a single program to recognize the civilian casualties.
On a more positive note, it was gratifying to have received a number of phone calls from local freelance writers and news reporters interested in the civilian story at-large and in specific individual stories.
KITV’s Catherine Cruz did a wonderful interview with Jimmy Ito, a young child at the time who lost four cousins and an uncle at the Cherry Blossom restaurant on Kukui Street. Those killed were Jitsuo Hirasaki, 48; Jackie Hirasaki, 8; Robert Hirasaki, 3; Shirley Hirasaki, 2; and George Manganelli, 14. Also killed at this site were seven men: Masayoshi Higa, 21; Paul S. Inamine, 19; Robert S. Izumi, 25; Masayoshi Nagamine, 27; James T. Takefuji, 20; Yoshio Tokusato, 19; and Hisao Uyeno, 20.
Freelance writer Will Hoover wrote an insightful story for the December issue of Honolulu magazine about the four men killed at the corner of Judd and Iholena streets, when an anti-aircraft shell exploded next to their car: Joseph K. Adams, 50, his son John K. Adams, 18; Joseph McCabe, Sr., 43; and David Kahookele, 23. All four resided in Kaneohe and were related. They were civilian workers at Pearl Harbor who heeded the call on the radio for all workers to immediately report to their bases. In addition, Matilda K. Faufata, 12, was killed in the same area when shrapnel from the explosion hit her in the chest as she watched airplanes fly over her house.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser military writer William Cole did a great job giving an overview of several sites where damage and/or deaths occurred, like at the corner of South King and McCully streets, where extensive destruction occurred in a densely populated area that included single-family homes, apartments, retail stores and restaurants. Five people were killed in this vicinity: Ai Harada, 54; Kisa Hatate, 41; Hayako Ohta, 19; Kiyoko Ohta, 21; and Janet Yumiko Ohta, 3 months.
Hawaii Public Radio reporter Wayne Yoshioka interviewed me at Foster Garden, where Masako Arakaki, 8, was killed as she and her classmates were singing in the auditorium of the Japanese language school located on the garden grounds.
Mahalo nui to all the media people mentioned above for filling in a big gap in the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Nanette Napoleon is a historical researcher and expert on Hawaii’s gravesites.
