Nisei Impact: Star-Advertiser youth storytelling project honors Hawaii’s World War II veterans
The inaugural Nisei Impact program is a partnership between the Star-Advertiser and the nonprofit Nisei Veterans Legacy. Each day this week, the Star-Advertiser will publish a story, written by a high school student, about the nisei veterans in our families and communities.
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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. Pictured at the ceremony honoring high school students and subjects who participated in the project. Pictured in the front row: World War II veterans Edward Ikuma who served with the 100th Infantry Battalion and Kenji Ego who served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Back row from left to right: Honolulu Star-Advertiser ethnic and cultural affairs reporter Jayna Omaye, Punahou School student L. Kensington Ono, Honolulu Star-Advertiser managing editor Marsha McFadden, Moanalua High School student Daria Stapolsky, Kalani High School student Stephanie Yeung, Nisei Veterans Legacy president Lynn Heirakuji. Not present are Kalani High School student Marisa Fujimoto and McKinley High School student Shane Kaneshiro.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. Pictured at the ceremony honoring high school students who participated in the project from left to right are Honolulu Star-Advertiser ethnic and cultural affairs reporter Jayna Omaye, Moanalua High School student Daria Stapolsky, Punahou School student, L. Kensington Ono, Kalani High School student Stephanie Yeung, and Nisei Veterans Legacy president Lynn Heirakuji on Tuesday, April 5. Not present are Kalani High School student Marisa Fujimoto and McKinley High School student Shane Kaneshiro.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
The "Go for Broke" motto is stitched onto the hat of World War II veteran Kenji Ego who served with the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. Honolulu Star-Advertiser ethnic and cultural affairs reporter Jayna Omaye talks to students and veterans who participated in the program.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Punahou School student and Nisei Impact participant L. Kensington Ono wrote about her great-great uncle Gerome Mitsuo Hirata who served with the 100th Infantry Battalion during World War II.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
A photo of Gerome Mitsuo Hirata of the 100th Infantry Battalion. He is the great-great uncle of Punahou School student L. Kensington Ono and also the subject of her Nisei Impact story.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. World War II veteran Edward Ikuma, 103, served with the 100th Infantry Battalion. His daughter Joan Naguwa is pictured next to him.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Lynn Heirakuji, president of Nisei Veterans Legacy, speaks at the Nisei Impact youth journalism program ceremony held at Maunalani Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, April 5.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. Pictured at the ceremony is Kalani High School student Stephanie Yeung with Honolulu Star-Advertiser ethnic and cultural affairs reporter Jayna Omaye.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. Pictured at the ceremony is Punahou School student L. Kensington Ono with Honolulu Star-Advertiser ethnic and cultural affairs reporter Jayna Omaye.CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Nisei Impact youth journalism program is presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Report for America and Nisei Veterans Legacy. Pictured at the ceremony is Moanalua High School student Daria Stapolsky with Honolulu Star-Advertiser Ethnic and Cultural Affairs reporter Jayna Omaye.