Families of Wahiawa WWII veterans sought

The Wahiawa Lions Club is seeking help to contact the families of World War II veterans killed in action for its third annual Wahiawa War Memorial Ceremony, which will be held July 16.

The ceremony will commemorate the 21 Wahiawa veterans who gave their lives during war, and recognize their families for the sacrifices they made during World War II. The event, which will begin at 4 p.m. at Wahiawa District Park in the Hale Okipa building, is free and open to the public.

The history of the soldiers and community members who worked to build the first city swimming pool in 1949 also will be shared.

The 21 veterans killed in action were Masaharu Endo, Chester Fukunaga, Robert Han, Harry Hayakawa, Himeo Hiratani, Kikuichiro Ikehara, William Irwin, Kumao Iwahiro, Robert Johnson, Kiichi Koda, Mitsuharu Kuboyama, Daniel Lim, Robert McEldowney, Weldon Simpson, Richard D. Suwa, Wesley B. Swain, Robert Sweet, Yoshio Tagami, Mitsuo Tanji, Kazuo Yamashita and Jerry Yamauchi.

Only five out of the 21 families have responded and agreed to participate in the ceremony so far, so the club is hoping the public will help contact families to attend the event, said club member Rene Mansho, a former Honolulu councilwoman.

The ceremony will open with the Kapolei High School Marine Corps JROTC opening color guard, Ryugen Taiko Group and a special 21-gun salute. Guest speakers include representatives from veterans organizations and community groups to pay tribute to veterans from the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The event also will feature a performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band.

The club will have a wreath, and the Wahiawa Rainbow Seniors will make lei for the families to present during the ceremony. Community organizations such as the Wahiawa Community and Business Association, the Wahiawa Nikkei Civic Association, the Wahiawa-­Whitmore Neighborhood Board and Wahiawa elected officials also will present lei during the ceremony.

Relatives of any of the 21 veterans who have information about them or would like to participate in the lei presentation ceremony can contact Mansho at 291-6151 or renemansho@hawaii.rr.com. Reservations must be made by July 7.