Behind the glass of a six-by-two foot display case is a diverse collection of a soldier’s things: A tin Army issue cup, a folding fork and spoon joined by a rivet; a “War Department Basic Field Manual Soldier’s Handbook;” 37
Behind the glass of a six-by-two foot display case is a diverse collection of a soldier’s things: A tin Army issue cup, a folding fork and spoon joined by a rivet; a “War Department Basic Field Manual Soldier’s Handbook;” 37 mm anti-tank ammo, shell casings, embroidered patches and ribbons; an Italian phrase book and an aluminum canteen with a manilla tag that reads, “Picked up on a hill north of Monton, France, 1944. Donated by Norman Kimura.”
With only the most cryptic of references, the memorabilia filling this small room on the southern corner of the Kaua‘i Veteran’s Center leaves Kaua‘i’s war stories to the imagination of the viewer.
“Most everything here is from local families,” said volunteer docent Howard Farmer of Lihu‘e. Farmer is a member of the Marine Auxiliary League and volunteers at the museum every Tuesday.
Tributes abound as well: A riveting black and white photograph of a Japanese father embracing his uniformed son; the Mana Swimming Pool dedication plaque in memory of S/SGT Seikichi Ganeko, dated Nov. 21, 1948 or the banner reading, “442nd Regimental Combat Team.” Then there are oddities like the “GI Joe Classic Collection 442nd Infantry Nisei Soldier,” listing box contents that include hand grenades and a gun.
Occupying this one corner of the Veterans Center, Kaua‘i Veterans Museum might be missed altogether, save for the presence of the A4E jet parked on its front lawn. From the looks of the thin guest book on the counter, clearly few stop to peruse collections donated by residents over the years.
“There’s so much I don’t know,” Farmer said, confessing to having never served in the armed forces himself. “People bring things in without information about it. It’d be nice if local families would come in and share stories.”
Especially poignant is the red star burst of the Japanese flag covered in black inked kanji. Farmer said the Japanese script is well-wishes from friends to the soldier who would carry the flag into combat.
“This must’ve been taken off a soldier,” he said. “These are war souvenirs brought home by American soldiers.”
Many Kaua‘i residents only step into the Veterans Center for a concert or community gathering, but for events coordinator, Aida Cruz, the center represents so much more.
“This building stands for veterans and their families,” she said. “This is a standing monument for them. The present soldiers are the benefactors of this building and right now we are exploring ways to serve them better.”
Exhibits highlight contributions of Kaua‘i veterans who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, said museum executive director, Larry Schlang in a press release. Each of the veterans org- anizations that comprise the Kaua‘i Veterans Council set up a display case including the Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 100th Battalion, Military Intelligence Service, Korean War Veterans and Vietnam War Veterans. Additional exhibits for Coast Guard and the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) are planned.
The Kaua‘i Veterans Museum is located at 3215 Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information call, 246-1135.
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
