HANASHI ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM
“During the past several years I have heard many interesting
stories and have met men who witnessed the Japanese Navy surprise
attack on Pearl Harbor. Seiji "Stud" Oshiro grew up
only minutes from the U.S. Naval base and remembers the local
people going to hide in the tropical jungle fearing a land invasion
to follow. Dr. William Ito, a native Californian, left for Honolulu
to practice medicine prior to the war because it was the only
place that would accept him. Soon after the attack, injured civilians
started pouring into his hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Listening to them, I could only imagine what it must have been
like to see through their eyes. But I know the thoughts that were
going through their minds and the emotions racing through their
hearts, because they told me, me and the video camera.”
- Bobby Okinaka, Hanashi volunteer since 2000.
A typical Hanashi crew consists of four volunteers. The interviewer
asks the questions. Preparation is key to being a good interviewer;
research is required. The camera operator is responsible for the
technical aspects of the shoot, including setting up all the equipment.
A cataloger will write notes of the interview and the audio person
monitors the sound levels. Most of the interviews are conducted
in Southern California, but Hanashi also travels to various regions
of the United States, including Hawaii, Washington, and East Coast
cities. All travel expenses are provided through the Hanashi program.
Hanashi actively recruits volunteer crew members from various
backgrounds and experiences. Volunteers are sought for several
areas: interviewers, cataloguers, audio technicians and video
camera operators. Those with experience in these areas or none
at all are welcome. The Hanashi program seeks those with the desire
to learn video production or interview techniques and the passion
to meet and work with the veterans to understand their life experiences.
To help interested volunteers, training sessions are held in
interview techniques and audio/visual production – providing
all the tools volunteers need to preserve this important part
of American history. Many of the Hanashi volunteers had no experience
prior to joining Hanashi, but it didn’t take long before
they became “veterans” themselves.
Those interested in receiving more information on the Hanashi
program or to become a volunteer, please contact the Hanashi program
coordinator at hanashi@goforbroke.org.
Click here for
Hanashi’s calendar of events and interview schedule.
