Partial Transcript: Shigeru Inouye is born February 3, 1919, in Honolulu, HI. Shigeru is the youngest of seven children. His oldest brother is fifteen years older and graduated from McKinley High School. Then he attends Washington University and becomes a doctor. Later, he returns to Hawaii in 1935. Shigeru's oldest sister eloped and moved to California. His third brother graduated from the University of Hawaii. Their father is an insurance agent, and he chauffeurs their father around town.

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Keywords: childhood activities; education; family; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; higher education; Japanese Americans; Nisei

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Partial Transcript: Shigeru's fourth brother attends the University of Hawaii for a year before transferring to USC and Northwestern University. He gets married and practices dentistry in Chicago. He retires in Hawaii. The fifth sibling (sister) enjoys floral arrangements. The sixth sibling (brother) is a popular guy, plays badminton, and is musically talented. The youngest sibling is Shigeru.

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Keywords: dating; education; employment; family; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; higher education; Japanese Americans; Mainland; music; sports; wedding

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Partial Transcript: The youngest sibling is Shigeru. He attends McKinley High School and attends the University of Hawaii. On November 14, 1941, Shigeru receives his draft notice. Shigeru's father is a prominent insurance agent and covers a lot of territory in Hawaii. He is hardworking, and Shigeru rarely sees his father. Shigeru's second brother helps their father by driving him around for work.

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Keywords: employment; family; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; high school; higher education; Japanese Americans; siblings

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Partial Transcript: Shigeru describes Honolulu, HI, in the 1930s. The higher position jobs are mainly held by Caucasians and the Asian community is not that prominent yet. In November of 1941, his sister plans to move back to Hawaii with her children after her husband passes away. However, the evacuation orders are announced, and she goes to Rohwer, AK.

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Keywords: Hawaiian identity; Japanese Americans; Nisei; relocation centers; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Shigeru says many of the students from the University of Hawaii comes from the neighboring islands. After graduating college, the students would attend commercial schools. Shigeru says commercial schools are popular. During Shigeru's high school years at McKinley, he plays tennis and collected stamps. The turning point for Shigeru is graduating high school in 1938. He grows taller and starts to weigh lifting.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; friendship; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; high school; higher education; Japanese Americans

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Partial Transcript: During Sigeru's high school years, he did not follow world event news. However, he did hear some news. At McKinley High School, Principal Miles Carey is the champion of the students. He encourages the students to be good citizens. Shigeru recalls Principal Carey helps all the Asian American students. After graduating high school, Shigeru goes to the University of Hawaii.

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Keywords: Hakujin; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; high school; Japanese Americans; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: From November 15, 1941, Shigeru is already in the Army as a trainee. A week before December 7, Shigeru is being treated for poisoning and discharged on December 6. He goes on a moonlight picnic with his friend on the Hanauma Bay. On December 7, Shigeru is headed to his brother's medical office to clean the yard. He recalls the street being lively and people saying war is happening. Shigeru and Kazuo Yamane go to Schofield Barracks to change into their uniform. He gets orders to dig trenches.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: draft; employment; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; Japanese Americans; Schofield Barracks; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Shigeru sends the whole day digging trenches. The following day, Shigeru says some soldiers fire their rifles out of nervousness. On the third day, rifles are taken away from the Japanese American soldiers at the training center. Later the rifles are given back to the Japanese American soldiers and training resumes. O'ahu is the main island, and there is a need for manpower. Shigeru's basic training speeds up, and he joins the 298th Infantry, D Company. Shigeru recalls getting orders to dig trenches and set up barb wires. He does this task for five months, every day.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; discrimination; discrimination in the military; Hawaii; Hawaiian identity; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: All the Japanese American soldiers are called to Schofield Barracks. General Collins announces they are going to the Mainland. He gives the Japanese American soldiers a day to see their families and return the next day. That is the last time Shigeru sees his family. Shigeru says 1400 soldiers and a few Japanese American Officers sail to the Mainland on USS Maui. They arrive in Oakland, CA.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Pearl Harbor; Schofield Barracks; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Shigeru arrives in Oakland, CA. The 1400 Japanese American soldiers from Hawaii are placed on three different trains with the windows blackout. Shigeru describes the travel route, and they arrive at Camp McCoy, WI. Shigeru is nervous because he hears there is an internment camp and POWs. He recalls seeing many tents set up at Camp McCoy. There is intense training, and in September, Shigeru and the other soldiers move into the remodeled Camp McCoy. Shigeru says they get furloughs, and he goes to Chicago to visit his brother.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: blackouts in war; family; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; interment camp; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; living conditions; Mainland; Nisei soldiers; Prisoners of War; siblings; World War Two

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