More than a year ago, ground was broken for a Waikiki monument which is to honor Japanese Americans who fought in World War II. The memorial was supposed to have been built at Fort DeRussy, but to date nothing has happened. Is it ever going to be built? Japanese American vets’
monument due next yearDesign changes and fund-raising complications resulted in a new completion date of February 1998. After months of frustrating delays, Robert Katayama, president of the Oahu AJA Veterans Council, wrote to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in May to get his help in expediting the notice to proceed in the construction of the Brothers in Valor monument in Waikiki.
On July 12 Secretary of the Army Togo West approved the project. Sara Fishburn, Fort Shafter spokeswoman, said the veterans groups have all necessary governmental approvals and the rest of the project lies in their hands.
Mike Harada, Fort Shafter engineer, said the Army issued a notice to proceed with the construction on July 18.
Katayama said he hopes the construction will begin this month.
If all goes as scheduled, Katayama said he hopes the memorial, which will recognize the contributions of the 100th Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service and 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, will be dedicated in early 1998.
The monument will sit on a 5,100-square-foot site at Kalakaua Avenue and Saratoga Road. The memorial will include time capsules with scrolls listing the names of soldiers killed in action, all members of the four Army units and those who contributed to the building of the memorial. Artist Bumpei Akaji, a 442nd veteran, has completed a sculpture that will be incorporated into the memorial. The Brothers in Valor Monument Committee has raised $175,476 and $610,000 will come from the city.
The estimated cost to construct the memorial initially was set at nearly $1.4 million. However, due to the professional volunteer services done by the Oahu AJA Council, the construction cost has been reduced to $760,000, Katayama said. The contractor is Universal Construction Inc.
To Ed for rendering calm and patient roadside assistance to me and my son after my timing belt broke on the H-1 freeway Tuesday night, Aug. 5. Mahalo also to the couple in the Tercel who generously offered advice and help. Your compassion turned a nightmare into something positive and for that we will always be grateful. May you always be safe and happy. -- L.L. Mahalo
To the gentleman who saw this elderly disabled couple sitting on the steps of the Medical Arts Building, at King and Victoria streets, when he went in on Aug. 6. When he came out an hour later, he graciously went back inside to phone for our ride, for which we had reservations. -- Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Mahalo
To the young punks in a white station wagon who left the communications station in Wahiawa after 3 p.m. July 30. They were driving recklessly about 50 mph through the village. Because of punks like them, young adults have a bad reputation and higher insurance rates. -- C.H. Auwe
To the female driver of a taupe Ford Taurus. At 8:30 a.m. Aug. 7, as I was trying to merge onto Likelike from Kahekili Highway, you sped up next to my car. As I accelerated, you accelerated. You couldn't keep up, so tail-gated me until traffic suddenly slowed and you had to brake suddenly. You then proceeded to tail-gate another car. Learn to share the road and drive with more courtesy and aloha! -- L.T. Auwe
