Remembering Pearl Harbor
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the bombing on Pearl Harbor and to honor the brave men and women who serve our country; I am sharing an interview my 10-year-old son conducted 30 years ago with his grandmother Gaynel Hussey Kalele. It was a grade school assignment given by his insightful teacher Honoree Broderson.
Here is her story, “It was Sunday morning on December 7th 1941. My family was getting ready for church when I saw a Japanese plane get shot down by an American Battleship. I could tell it was a Japanese plane by the red circle. We turned on the radio. The newscaster was telling everyone that Pearl Harbor was being attacked by the Japanese. We were told to stay home and leave our windows open so if bullets hit our house it won’t be so bad. People driving on the roadways were being shot and killed from the war planes too.
My school, Farrington was being used to treat the wounded. There weren’t enough nurses so visitors were helping out. A lot of service men were badly burned and died that day.
My brother David, an army engineer, was at Pearl Harbor during the attack. He got sick from all the smoke but survived. My Uncle Jes was stationed on the battleship Arizona. He shot at the Japanese planes until the ship caught fire and the crew had to jump off. My uncle dove into the water and swam safely to shore. I remember the smoke was so big and black you couldn’t see Pearl Harbor.”
This simple assignment captured a part of our family history. I encourage you to record stories from your elders while you can. We should value and preserve our legacies for future generations.
Carrie Borge
Kailua-Kona
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Good deed acknowledged
I would like to thank the person who found my wife’s purse Friday afternoon in the Home Depot parking lot and turning it into the store. I had loaded items out of the cart and neglected to see my wife’s small purse with all of our credit cards, her ID and some cash. We drove off and went to Costco.
When we realized what we had done, we returned to Home Depot and because of your good character, my wife had her purse back with everything in it. We wish we could thank you personally. Thank you.
William Kussman
Hilo
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It’s called checks and balances
Gee what a surprise. Our past governors support Gov. David Ige’s top-heavy, unchecked power demonstrated over the past two years regarding emergency proclamations. Former governors John Waihee and Neil Abercrombie defense of Ige is like saying “we had to end the war in Afghanistan.” No one disagreed, but many, I dare say most, vehemently disagree with the manner in which it was done.
Waihee says the Legislature limiting the governor in these endless proclamations, as provided in the state Constitution amounts to “legislative interference with an executive function.” No sir, it’s called checks and balances.
PS: Should you guys ever grasp the concept, please pass it on to the clowns in Washington, D.C.
Mikie Kerr
Waikoloa
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