The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii invites the public to join in honoring the Ireito Monument’s 78th year memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday at Alae Cemetery. ADVERTISING The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii invites the public to join in
The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii invites the public to join in honoring the Ireito Monument’s 78th year memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday at Alae Cemetery.
The service is to honor Hawaii’s issei, first-generation Japanese immigrants. These contracted plantation workers endured a harsh life in Hawaii in order to provide a better life and opportunity for the future.
“Others were not so fortunate and died alone with no one to tend their graves or remember them,” said Ivan Nakano, Japanese Community Association of Hawaii president. “We pause to pay tribute to these immigrant pioneers.”
The Ireito Memorial was initiated by the late territorial Sen. Sanji Abe. Abe appreciated the immigrants’ contributions and their meritorious service to Hawaii.
The service is a joint effort between the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, the Big Island Buddhist Federation and Puna Hongwanji Mission along with the Rev. Satoshi Tomioka.
