Partial Transcript: Robert recalls talking to his friend about home life. Robert's friend helps him realize his value to the family. Growing up, Robert's parents teach him to be honest and hard-working. Robert also talks about his grandmother (father's mother).

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; friendship; Hawaii; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; siblings

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert says the toughest part of his childhood is not having money. He applies for a position at the National Youth Administration (NYA). The NYA is a program that helps low-income students. The income Robert earns from his job, pays for his school fees, and social activities. The happiest time for Robert is in junior high school. He graduates from high school in 1940 and is employed at the Hawaiian cannery. Later, Robert works for defense contractors.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: education; employment; Hawaii; high school; Japanese Americans; Nisei; social activities

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert discusses his job as a steel man. The job is hard labor, and he leaves. Robert finds another job as a truck helper.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Nisei

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence graduates high school in 1941. After high school, he moves downtown and finds a job. He shares a story trying to find jobs at canneries. Clarence is hired at California Packing Company (CPC). He makes 50 cents an hour. After the summer time, Clarence looks for another job and experience discrimination.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; education; employment; Hapa; Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the summertime, Clarence looks for another job and experiences discrimination. He finds a job at a lumber mill. (Interview pauses at 14:15 and continues at 14:41)

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence works at a lumber mill. He talks about the big five who control the economy in Hawaii.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Nisei; plantation

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: On December 7, Clarence is at home. He describes seeing the airplanes and bombs attacking Pearl Harbor. After hearing the news broadcast on the radio, Clarence feels sad. At this time he is still employed at the lumber mill but other Japanese Americans are fired from their defense jobs. Furthermore, Japanese American soldiers' rifles are taken away and/or discharged from service.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; VVV

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses Marshal Law and the restrictions. There is a curfew in place and the military confiscated radio and binoculars.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; curfew; discrimination; Hawaii; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; plantation

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: On December 7, Robert is getting ready to go to church. His friends tell him to go home because Pearl Harbor is being attacked. Robert hears the news on the radio about the bombing, and his mother is upset. Robert recalls the military confiscates Robert's father's firearm and the family radio.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert says his family did not bury any artifacts. He recalls his father's pistol being confiscated and not returned. When Robert decides to volunteer for service, his father is proud, as opposed to his mother who cried.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Japanese identity and values; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; siblings; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert belongs to a Christian Church. He hears about community leaders being picked by the military. However, that did not happen in his community. Robert discusses the term hakujin. Clarence says he also hears stories about community leaders being taken away. Robert's mother is concerned because she is afraid her sons will be drafted.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: community leaders; Hakujin; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; siblings; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert has a lot of brothers and wants to protect them. That is why he decides to volunteer plus he wants to leave Hawaii. Robert volunteers in March when the military makes the announcement. Before joining the service, Robert is still working for the trucking company. He recalls his work badge identifies him as an enemy alien. This restricts him from some of his duties when making deliveries.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Americans of Japanese Ancestry; discrimination; employment; enemy alien; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; race discrimination; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Robert discusses the effects of war and Japanese Americans being labeled enemy aliens. Robert's father speaks fluent English and works hard to support the family.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; enemy alien; Hawaii; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Nisei; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Clarence returns to work at the lumber mill. He discusses the demographic of the employees at work. The lumber mill is a private company, and they are interested in making money. Once a week, Clarence is a buck warden for his company. Clarence recalls there are many military personals (MP) patrolling and having to show his work ID.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; friendship; Hawaii; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Pearl Harbor

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence and Robert are both asked the question about mixed heritage. Clarence discusses his sentiments on being Japanese American, and patriotic. On the other hand, Nagata feels guilty about Pearl Habor even though he is Japanese American. He recalls his friends looked at him differently after the bombing. Robert's father tells him, this is your home, you need to protect your country.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: discrimination; family; friendship; Hawaii; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; loyalty; Mainland; Nisei; Pearl Harbor; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses volunteering for service in early March. Before volunteering, he is working at the lumber mill. Clarence also says he hears rumors and shares some that he hears.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: employment; Hawaiian soldiers; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence recalls the announcement for 1500 volunteers of Japanese heritage. He says the line is over a block long. He waits approximately one hour in line before his interview. He discusses the questions he is asked by the military.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate); enemy alien; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; loyalty; Mainland; Nisei; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence says when he signs the paperwork, he is officially volunteering. He recalls the loyal questionnaire during his interview. There is no correspondence with the military until they come to pick him up. He is brought to get a physical exam. After his physical exam, Clarence goes to Schofield Barracks.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Japanese Americans; loyalty; loyalty questions; Nisei; Nisei soldiers; Schofield Barracks

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence says the physical exam is really fast and mentions the height restriction. Clarence is at Schofield Barracks for a few weeks and receives his uniform. He is not allowed to bring his bag or jacket. Clarence can only take the two Military issued duffle bags. When it is time to depart from Hawaii, Clarence is not able to say good-bye to friends or family.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese American soldiers; Japanese Americans; Nisei; Schofield Barracks; World War Two

Subjects:

Partial Transcript: Clarence discusses his secret departure. He recalls the voyage is five days to Oakland, CA. During the voyage, Clarence feels a little seasick at the beginning.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: family; Hawaii; Hawaiian soldiers; Issei; Issei parents; Japanese Americans; Mainland; Nisei; travel; World War Two

Subjects: