The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaiʻi

Admission to this film is free with registration, courtesy of support from Pacific Historic Parks. 
 
This screening is the first in a trilogy to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Honouliuli National Historical Site. Stay tuned for more information on the second screening on August 17 (Voices Behind Barbed Wire) and third screening on October 19 (Removed by Force).  
 
The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawai‘i is the first full-length documentary to chronicle the internment experience of Japanese Americans in Hawai‘i. It is presented by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi. 
  
Shortly after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawai‘i authorities arrested several hundred local Japanese on O‘ahu, Maui, Hawai‘i Island, and Kaua‘i. Within 48 hours those arrested included: Buddhist priests, Japanese language school officials, newspaper editors, and business and community leaders. In total, more than 2,000 men and women of Japanese ancestry were arrested, detained, and incarcerated at 13 different confinement sites located in Hawai‘i. There was no evidence of espionage or sabotage and no charges were ever filed against them. This film chronicles their story through oral histories, documents, interviews, and reenactments.  
  
The Untold Story is based upon work assisted by a grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of the Interior.  
  
The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Carole Hayashino, president emerita of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi; Sandi Saifuku-Chang, family of incarceration survivor, and writer-director Ryan Kawamoto.