Nisei Veterans Memorial Center

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Nisei Veterans Memorial Center A Hawaii Nonprofit Corporation

The NVMC is on vacation October 5th - 20th,HOWEVER, the Leonard Y Oka Education Center (downstairs) will be open each Tu...
10/16/2026

The NVMC is on vacation October 5th - 20th,
HOWEVER, the Leonard Y Oka Education Center (downstairs) will be open each Tuesday from 12pm - 3:30pm.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Kyle directly via link in our bio

EDWARD YUKIO OKAZAKISergeant Okazaki of Paia, Maui, served in the Headquarters Company, 442d Regimental Combat Team. On ...
10/13/2026

EDWARD YUKIO OKAZAKI

Sergeant Okazaki of Paia, Maui, served in the Headquarters Company, 442d Regimental Combat Team. On October 19, 1944 in Bruyeres, France, Okazaki and four men were wounded by shrapnel during an artillery barrage.

He dragged the men to the safety of a building in the midst of the a ack and proceeded to administer first aid despite his own wounds. When medics arrived, it was not until his companions had been treated that he consented to treatment himself. It was then discovered that he had received three wounds— one in his arm and two in his left
leg. He was awarded the Silver Star for his courageous actions and determination.

The NVMC is honored to be the repository of over 200 special collections of Maui's Nisei Veterans. We thank the veterans and families for entrusting us with these precious items to share with current and future generations.

If you have any questions about the archives or are considering a donation of items to the Center, please contact Archive Director Melanie Agrabante at (808) 244-6862. Mahalo for your support.

As many of you know, Fukuyama City (the City of Roses) in Hiroshima Prefecture, has been Sister Cities with Maui County ...
10/10/2026

As many of you know, Fukuyama City (the City of Roses) in Hiroshima Prefecture, has been Sister Cities with Maui County for eighteen years. Mayor Edahiro and members of the City Assembly were here for a few days last week for meetings and ended their visit by participating in the Maui County Parade and Fair.

The NVMC was honored to host the group for a day here at the Center. We began by showing our subtitled version (thank you Kobe College) of "Our Nobler Selves" which left a very profound impact on everyone. After a discussion, the students of Kansha Preschool stopped by, lighting up the room with their smiles and laughter. From there we visited Maui Adult Day Care Center where the kupuna enjoyed talking with the group and even serenading them! Melanie then took the group down the Leonard Y. Oka Education Center, and shared stories and treasures from the archive.

A gift exchange and a shared agreement for continued cultural, educational and business exchanges ended the morning (and let everyone collect their energy for the Maui County Fair Parade).

As many of you know, Fukuyama City (the City of Roses) in Hiroshima Prefecture, has been Sister Cities with Maui County ...
10/09/2026

As many of you know, Fukuyama City (the City of Roses) in Hiroshima Prefecture, has been Sister Cities with Maui County for eighteen years. Mayor Edahiro and members of the City Assembly were here for a few days last week for meetings and ended their visit by participating in the Maui County Parade and Fair.

The Maui County Parade was fantastic and the NVMC walked with Fukuyama City and the Fukuyama Chamber of Commerce who was also visiting this week! Along with Board Members Valerie Matsunaga and Bo Mahoe, we were joined by Chrysanthemum Ambassador Abigail Tamayose, her mother Janelle and, all the way from Washington DC, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda.

It was a very busy, but lovely, week and we can't wait to visit Fukuyama next May and march in their Rose Parade again.

With the Maui County Fair wrapping up this past weekend, we took a trip down memory lane to the "old" Kahului Fairground...
10/08/2026

With the Maui County Fair wrapping up this past weekend, we took a trip down memory lane to the "old" Kahului Fairgrounds! 🎡

We dug up a few gems to share: a shave ice photo from the fair's 100th anniversary album, a 442 photo from around 1980, and one more shave ice snapshot we think is from the '60s or '70s (date unknown!).

Share your favorite fair moments 🍧

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center is now accepting applications for the Chrysanthemum Leadership Program, a competitive...
10/06/2026

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center is now accepting applications for the Chrysanthemum Leadership Program, a competitive, values based youth leadership initiative designed to empower Maui County high school students through cultural education, community involvement, and career exploration.

Open to Maui County sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher, the Chrysanthemum Leadership Program invites students who want to strengthen their leadership abilities, broaden their career pathways, and deepen their connection to Japanese culture. The program honors the legacy of Maui’s Nisei veterans by encouraging students to embody values of courage, service, and responsibility in their daily lives.

The inaugural Chrysanthemum cohort was led by Ambassador Abigail Tamayose (King Kekaulike) and Representatives Rylee Ota (Maui High School) and Keala Rodriguez (Seabury Hall).

Participants engage in community service, cultural workshops, fundraising projects, and leadership development sessions. As part of the program, students raise funds that directly support both NVMC’s mission and their own college and career goals, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on responsibility, initiative, and long term planning.

The curriculum also introduces students to internationalism and cross cultural learning, reflecting Maui’s long standing relationship with Fukuyama City, Japan.

Applications are due November 7, 2026.

Students may apply by scanning the QR code on the program flyer or visiting NVMC’s website: CHRYSANTHEMUM LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - Nisei Veterans Memorial Center

While we were in Honolulu at the Daniel K. Inuoye International Airport, we had the opportunity to go to Gate A area (th...
10/05/2026

While we were in Honolulu at the Daniel K. Inuoye International Airport, we had the opportunity to go to Gate A area (the new addition) and see the beautiful display of the replica of the late U.S. Senator's office.

Melanie and Deidre were honored to attend the "2026 Joint Memorial Service" this past Sunday on Oahu at the National Mem...
10/02/2026

Melanie and Deidre were honored to attend the "2026 Joint Memorial Service" this past Sunday on Oahu at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. The service honored the U.S. Soldiers of WWII who served in the 100th, 442nd, MIS and 1399th. See below for the history of the Joint Memorial Service.

One of the speakers at the event was Kahu David Baumgart Turner (grandson of Col. Farrant Turner). During the Covid Pandemic, the NVMC did a series of Zoom talks, and one was with Kahu Turner (pc: Mel Agrabante). You can watch the zoom via link in our bio.

The NVMC will be on vacation October 5th - 20th, HOWEVER, the Leonard Y Oka Education Center (downstairs) will be open e...
10/02/2026

The NVMC will be on vacation October 5th - 20th, HOWEVER, the Leonard Y Oka Education Center (downstairs) will be open
each Tuesday from 12pm - 3:30pm.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Kyle directly via link in our bio.

The NVMC will be on vacation October 5th - 20th, HOWEVER, the Leonard Y Oka Education Center (downstairs) will be open e...
10/02/2026

The NVMC will be on vacation October 5th - 20th, HOWEVER, the Leonard Y Oka Education Center (downstairs) will be open each Tuesday from 12pm - 3:30pm. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out Kyle directly via link in our bio.

Address

1 Go For Broke Place
Kahului, HI
96732

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 4pm
Tuesday 12pm - 4pm
Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(808) 244-6862

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nisei Veterans Memorial Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Nisei Veterans Memorial Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category