Nisei Veterans Center Confers Emeritus Designations

By Maui Now Staff

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center board of directors is honoring of Hiroshi Arisumi as president emeritus and Leonard Oka as director emeritus, in recognition of their many years of service and commitment.

Hiroshi Arisumi. Photo credit Irvin Yamada Photography.

Arisumi, founder of Arisumi Brothers Inc., is a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He serves as a director of the Maui AJA Veterans.

Oka is the founder and president of Maui’s Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans. His father, Clarence “Hekka” Oka, was a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Nisei Veterans Memorial Center officers elected at the organization’s recent annual meeting are: Brian T. Moto, president; Roy Katsuda, vice president; Paul Mizoguchi, treasurer; and Beryl Bal, secretary. The Board of Directors also welcomed new Board member Nelson T. Okumura.

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center is a living memorial guided by the valor and values of the Nisei Veterans of World War II. It is committed to perpetuating their legacy through education and continuing service to all generations.

Leonard Oka. Courtesy photo.

The center features exhibits, archives and educational programs, and an inter-generational center that includes Kansha Preschool and the Maui Adult Day Care Center Ocean View Facility.

The board is continually seeking to enhance the organization’s mission and operations. It is currently preparing to recruit a new executive director to help lead the NVMC into the future.

For more information, contact Moto at (808) 281-1671.

Newly elected Nisei Veterans Memorial Center board members include (left to right) Bery Bal, Brian Moto, Roy Katsuda and Paul Mizoguchi. Photo credit Melanie Argabante.