I’ve been away for a week, but I’m back! I kept up with some k-pop news on twitter but I’ve pretty much been out of the loop. So this post is to update you guys with some stuff I’ve been doing the past week.

I stumbled on the Nisei Week Festival by accident in Los Angeles’ Japantown. The festival is a celebration of Japanese Americans (yay us!)–they had lots of good food, cultural entertainment, music (including a band that sang in Japanese but only had 2 Asian members….which, hey, is cool), and a bunch of different stands selling everything from t-shirts to jewelry to tofu. And, unsurprisingly, there were a few people that dressed up as anime characters. *sighs*

It looks small from this picture but it was actually huge and spanned a few different sections of Japantown. I think there were 2 different festivals going on at the same time. Sorry I didn’t take that many pictures D:

The Go For Broke memorial (below) is dedicated to a unit of Japanese-American soldiers that showed their patriotism and helped their fellow soldiers during a time of extreme anti-Japanese sentiment in the US. You can read more about their amazing story here. Also, if you’re in the area, I would highly suggest checking out the Japanese American National Museum. They have an exhibit on Japanese internment camps that gave me chills. It was really a dark page in our nation’s history.

Of course, there would be Korean in a sea of English names carved into this plant in Old Town! I should have carved in my Chinese name.

I tried Korean food for the first time! It was great, all the meat and soups came literally sizzling in the plate. Yum. They started playing “U” by Super Junior in the restaurant but then immediately cut to another song. Oh welll.

Also, anyone more familiar with Los Angeles know about its Korea town? I’ve driven through Korean sections of LA a few times, but they’re basically empty with only a few Korean restaurants, a laundromat, Korean church, etc. Contrastingly, Japantown and Chinatown really caters to tourists.

Oh, and Daniel Henney fangirls will be happy to know that his face is plastered on every billboard, bus, and bench in Los Angeles. Anyone planning on watching “Three Rivers”?

My next post will probably be a wrap-up of my opinion on what’s been going on the past week in k-pop, like GD’s decision to become a woman new CD and magazine spreads, Big Bang’s Japanese CD (hence the title of this post), Inkigayo performances (especially the dance off), the Dirty Eyed Girls, and why I don’t like Nicole from Kara.

It’s good to be back

Summer cap from DQM.  I like the slogan.

Source: Highsnobiety.

It was a privilege to join with members of Hawaii’s legendary Japanese American World War II military units, who gathered recently at Central Pacific Bank’s main branch in downtown Honolulu.

The occasion was the unveiling of an exhibition of World War II memorabilia, “Honoring the Legacy.” It was more like a family reunion.

More than 50 Nisei veterans were there to talk story, reminisce, and pay tribute to all those who fought for their country at a time when their loyalty was questioned.

The story it tells is the story of “unflinching patriotism,” said William Thompson, current president of the 442^nd Veterans Club. The collection includes items rarely on display—like the steel pot helmet complete with bullet holes (in and out)—courtesy of the owner, Cpl. Sueo Sakamoto of the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team, who was hit by sniper fire in Italy and survived.

Modest to a man, the stories these vets recounted were all about ordinary folks doing extraordinary things, proudly recalled their unit mottos: “Go for Broke” (442^nd Regimental Combat Team), “Remember Pearl Harbor” (100th Infantry Battalion), and 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion’s unofficial handle—the “Pineapple Express.” The Army’s Military Intelligence Service is probably the least known—their work as translators and code-crackers went unheralded for many years because it was classified.

Rtd. Col. Bert Nishimura, who as a young lieutenant headed up several thousand Hawaii volunteers, was there; also a McKinley High School teacher who quit his job to volunteer—along with one of his former students.

“I love these guys,” said Bob Jones, Midweek columnist and honorary member of the 100^th Infantry Battalion. Other print and TV reps and members of the Japanese language press were there too.

Also on hand was Pam Funai of the national Go For Broke Education Center, who works with schools to tell the story of Hawai‘i veterans’ valor at a time when there as plenty reason not to volunteer.

Central Pacific Bank, whose founders were among those veterans, offered the venue. CPB EVP Denis Isono talked about the bank’s humble beginnings—veterans eating plate lunches under a tree at Ala Moana Park, looking for a bank that would help finance homes and businesses for everyone in Hawai‘i, and who ended up starting one of their own. “More than anything else, this is a chance for me to say thank you for what you did for my generation,” he said.

The exhibit was developed by Shari Tamashiro of Kapiolani Community College, Leeward Community College, and the AJA Veterans Council. Other services were donated by Takayuki “Chilly” Sasaki, Jay Kadowaki, Inc. and A-1 A-lectricians, Inc. Members of the 442^nd Sons and Daughters were on hand, along with members of the Japanese language press.

Kayleen Polichetti

I said I was done with cubledom on Friday and I was serious.  But someone had to return the state’s minivan after this weekend’s excursion, plus they want my keys to the building back.  I figured, what the heck I’ve got a blog to write and the coffee is hot, so why not make a morning of it for old time’s sake?  I have to go across the street anyway to UT Medical Center in a little while for my hand doctor appointment and he is my new boss now that this broken hand just became my livelihood. 

So, my last day again in cubledom.  I’m thinking I need to get transparent with you for a second.  Noroomforhipsters is here to tell Ashley’s and my story, which day to day is not always that exciting.  In a sentence, we are a desk job and masters program dropout duo of artists that want to go to New York to either get off the ground or have the experience, regardless.  Six weeks ago I started telling this story, but still we haven’t left Knoxville.  I have managed to tell how I lost my renters twice, broke my hand, took a hit selling my car, and quit my job to “leave” but now I’m sitting here.

We are doing our best, but today is only today.  Let me tell you how it feels.  Its sort of a big day for me.

Today the job goes, and with the job go a lot of identities I have been.  The man in the suit, the man with the programs, the husband who must support the wife in school, the stifled artist who must exist in spare moments, and the insecure person who’s days require he spend the time in natural weaknesses.  I have learned this: if you do something everyday that doesn’t fit, you you may get decent enough at it to get by.  But you will always know that you would be better at something else and you will feel insecure.  That insecurity will threaten everything interesting about you.  Your good intentions will leave you bitter at the lesser version of yourself. 

Let me say it like this.   If you spend most of your time in your weaknesses you will feel weak most of the time.  Someone may argue that you get stronger.  Yes, obviously.  But what if you spent your time making your strengths stronger instead of spreading yourself out?  I’m rambling now but I’ve learned this painfully over the last 5 years or so. 

If you love what you do, do it.  If you don’t, stop.  If you are making excuses, challenge them.  Chances are the people you’re worried about disappointing either know you don’t fit or would want what’s best for you.  Responsibilities may mean you can’t quit tomorrow but make an escape plan and don’t settle. 

Neither Ashley or I have any other choice now than to go for broke.  I heard it said that an artist is safest when taking chances.  I’ve been playing by the rules, even teaching some of the rules.  Today I’m going to take a chance instead.

Whether you are an islander or a visitor to Hawaii, please take the time to honor the Nisei veterans by visiting the Nisei Fighting Men Exhibit.  The exhibit will remain until the end of the year.  The exhibit is on display at the main branch of Central Pacific Bank (2024 North King Street, Honolulu).
 
Nisei soldiers were second-generation Japanese-Americans who fought during World War II for their country, although that country neither trusted nor respected them.  Several thousand Japanese-Americans who volunteered to serve were from the Islands of Hawaii; the remaining Nisei soldiers volunteered from the relocation camps on the mainland.  A total of 17,600 Nisei men served in the armed forces.  Every unit in which they served became known for its bravery under fire.
 
The Nisei men of Hawaii’s 100th Infantry Battalion were the first allowed to serve in the armed forces.  The battalion proved immediately that they were true soldiers, ready to defend and honor their country.  Due to their outstanding performance, the government reversed its decision to prohibit Japanese-Americans from serving in the armed forces.
 
The Nisei fighting men served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, Military Intelligence Service and Hawaii’s famed Japanese-American unit of the 100th Infantry Battalion.  The fighting motto of the Nisei soldier was “Go For Broke”.
 
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated unit in United States’ history.  More than 18,000 individuals received citations.  Eight of these Nisei soldiers units were awarded Presidential Unit Citations.  More than 700 men gave their lives and over 9,500 were wounded and awarded the Purple Heart.  The battalion earned the name the “Purple Heart Battalion”.
 
The exhibit is quite moving, with pictures and memorabilia.  You will find pictures of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who earned the Medal of Honor, Elton Skamoto, Sakae Takahashi, Sueo Sakamoto, a McKinley High School graduate, and his brother, Ulichi Sakamoto.  Ulichi Sakamoto was one of the 700 Nisei soliders who were killed in combat. 

Related Websites:
Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (Maui)
Go For Broke National Education Newsletter
Go For Broke – The movie (still available on VHS and DVD)
The Spirit of Go For Broke – Hickam Air Force Base

Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

There comes a times in a young person’s life to rid themselves of all material goods and assets at least once in their life.  Investing in an impossible dream or plainly squandering your money away in a drunken stupor are two different but effective approaches.  How you decide to spend your money is irrelevant.  The experience of surviving on only the bare essentials is of the utmost importance.  Bouncing back after hitting rock-bottom will forever be the ultimate comeback story.  The character obtained is priceless as you can boast of the very cliché, but incredible feat of turning nothing into something.  This, of course, should be handled with extreme caution.  Pulling a Christopher McCandless will not only give you an early death, but also give you the reputation of being an idiot.

If you are having difficult achieving such a low level of poverty, here are some suggestions to spend your money in many ludicrous and pointless ways.

1. Hire a hooker

2. Withdraw your bank account and put it on black (if you win, either repeat #2 or choose any other option)

3. Have your friends pull hilarious stunts for money

4. Rent a hotel room and destroy it via rocking out

5. drugs

6. Buy as many Star Wars figurines as possible, bring them to an comicon, and set them on fire and putting them out with your stream of justice.

These are just a few suggestions.  There are numerous other creative ideas that are both entertaining and borderline retarded so please do not be afraid to experiment.  After achieving bum nirvana, only then will you have the chance to attain the “American dream.”  I mean shit, this guy did it.

Q: What military unit was the most decorated in World War 2?

A: The Japanese American “Go for Broke” Nisei 100th.

As a military unit, their record in North Africa and Europe was extraordinary. After almost two years of fighting, the 100th/442nd emerged from the war the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history.

Oh the irony,

and the beauty of this. I am moved every time I hear about these fellows. They looked discrimination and Japanese camps in America in the eye and said WE WILL SHOW THEM. They risked their lives for this country more than any other military unit in all of American history. They had something to prove, and they proved it! They were every inch Americans first. Even to the point of being THE BEST Americans of all  in this one area. In all of American history they defended this country with the most intensity and valor of all. God, you gotta love these men. They showed us. They showed us up….and mainly they helped us win this war! Time for a movie to be made about this. And a great movie it would be!

As a military unit, their record in North Africa and Europe was extraordinary. After almost two years of fighting, the 100th/442nd emerged from the war the most highly decorated unit in U.S. military history.

They fought in seven major campaigns in Europe, made two beachhead assaults and captured a submarine. In France, they liberated Bruyeres, and rescued the “Lost Battalion” — 275 Texas infantrymen who had been trapped inside German territory for almost a week.

In late spring of 1945, the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion — part of the 442nd — was among the first Allied units to liberate prisoners from Dachau. Days later, heading farther south through Germany, the 522nd helped save more than 5,000 Jewish prisoners from the Dachau sub-camps who had been on a forced march toward the Bavarian Alps.

The unit’s valor earned more than 18,000 individual citations and eight Presidential Unit Citations. Known also as the “Purple Heart Battalion,” with more than 700 men killed and 9,500 Purple Hearts, they suffered the highest casualty rate in U.S. Army history.

But while the Nisei veterans are eager to talk about the past, they are not inclined to boast about their wartime accomplishments. Instead, they talk about the war in simple, unexaggerated language, without the flourishes or tales of mythical feats that war stories often engender. Theirs is a quiet pride — one rooted in historical fact.

“We weren’t going around bragging about what we did, because we didn’t think we did anything special,” said 522nd veteran George Oiye, 73. “It was just part of the war, as far as I’m concerned.” Classified as 4-C Enemy Aliens whose loyalty to the U.S. government was deemed “questionable” after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were ineligible to serve in the armed forces. But in February 1943, the government created a special all-Japanese unit, with Japanese enlisted men and Caucasian officers.

Most of the volunteers came from Hawaii, but roughly a third came from the mainland camps, where more than 110,000 Japanese Americans — including 70,000 native-born American citizens — had been put into internment camps.  At first, the two groups appeared to have nothing in common but their Japanese ancestry. Where they came from, how they behaved, how they talked — everything was different.

At a 1945 White House ceremony honoring the 100th/442nd, President Truman commended the Nisei soldiers on their wartime accomplishments. “You fought not only the enemy, you fought prejudice, and you have won.”

In the late 1980s, Nisei veterans led the campaign for redress that resulted in a formal apology and compensation from the U.S. government to Japanese Americans who were interned.

I don’t know what got me thinking about these guys today. But it has always been a story I believe every American should know about. It is a story of heroism of gigantic proportions.

We owe them a debt. A huge debt. Remember this the next time you have that subtle ringing prejudice ringing in  your mind. These guys helped beat japan and Hitler. While their families on the mainland were in camps they were out their defeating our enemies with a valor unsurpassed. Without them we might not have won this war. This was a very very close war.

Today is the date “that will live in infamy” when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Take a moment today to express gratitude to these average men who went on to make a mockery of the prejudice against them.  Who became, simply, the greatest military unit in the history of this country!

Puts a smile on my face just thinking about this.

Nem tudo é preto ou branco. Aposto que seu professor de História não sabia desta…