Honouliuli Internment Camp Moves Towards Historic Designation
Schatz Discussed Expediting the Designation Process of the Former Japanese Internment Camp with NPS Director Jarvis
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i) announced the National Park Service (NPS) has taken an important step towards designating the Honouliuli Internment Camp as a National Historic Site with the release of the final draft of a special resource study on the site. Following the release of the draft study on the Honouliuli Internment Camp, Senator Schatz called Director Jarvis to discuss ways to expedite the designation process. Inclusion in the National Park System would provide the necessary resources to preserve and manage the site.
“The Honouliuli Internment Camp symbolizes a dark period in our history, when thousands of Japanese Americans in Hawai'i and across the United States faced discrimination and were forced into internment camps during World War II,” Senator Schatz said. “In the face of this racism and persecution, Japanese Americans responded with bravery and patriotism. This solemn site deserves national recognition as a National Park to remind us all of the constant need to protect the freedoms and rights of every American. I will continue to work with Director Jarvis and President Obama to finally give Honouliuli the historic recognition it deserves.”
Last year, Schatz met with Director Jarvis to discuss the need to complete the special resource study. Following the meeting, Schatz sent Director Jarvis a letter to reiterate his support for the Honouliuli Internment Camp’s inclusion in the National Park System.
In 1943, the Honouliuli Internment Camp was constructed on Oahu to intern citizens, resident aliens, and prisoners of war. The camp held approximately 320 internees and became the largest prisoner-of-war camp in Hawai‘i. Honouliuli was the largest and longest-used World War II internment camp in Hawai‘i.
The NPS will host a series of public meetings throughout Hawai‘i during May and June 2014 in order to present the draft study report, answer questions, and accept comments.
The executive summary, full report, and the NPS public comment system are available at the study web site: http://www.nps.gov/pwro/honouliuli
Following receipt and review of public comments, a final report, including a course of action recommended by the Secretary of the Interior, will be transmitted to Congress.
Public Meeting Schedule:
Kapolei, Oahu: Tuesday, May 27, 2–4 pm
Lab Building E132, University of Hawai‘i-West O‘ahu, 91–1001 Farrington Highway
Honolulu, Oahu: Wednesday, May 28, 6–8 pm
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, 2454 S Beretania Street, #101
Honolulu, Oahu: Thursday, May 29, 10 am–noon
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, 2454 S Beretania Street, #101
Lihue, Kauai: Thursday, May 29, 6:30–8:30 pm
Lihue Neighborhood Center, 3353 Eono Street
Kaunakakai, Molokai: Monday, June 2, 10 am–noon
Kaunakakai Elementary School Cafeteria, Ailoa Street
Kahului, Maui: Monday, June 2, 6–8 pm
Alexa Higashi Room, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, One Cameron Way
Lanai City, Lanai: Tuesday, June 3, 2–4 pm
The Lanai Senior Center, 309 Seventh Street
Hilo, Island of Hawai‘i: Wednesday, June 4, 6–8 pm
Hawai‘i Japanese Center, 751 Kanoelehua Avenue
Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, June 17, 10 am–Noon (Hawai‘i), 1–3 pm (Pacific), 4–6 pm (Eastern)
Virtual meeting web access information will be posted at www.nps.gov/pwro/honouliuli
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