Members of the KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1 and guests take a group photo at their 2025 Christmas Luncheon at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu. Pictured (front row, from left) are Stanley Nakasone, Alfred Kim, Robert Kaleohano, Stanley Fujii, Kenneth Tashiro, Tommy Tahara and Franklin Chang; (middle row, from left) Herbert Iwashita, Susumu Agena, Harold Yamauchi, Richard Poe, Brian Lau, Kenneth Muraoka, Nori Uyematsu and Clifford Chillingworth; and (back row, from left) Roy Yamashiroya, Walter Furuyama, Bob Imose, Herbert Kobayashi and Walter Ozawa. Photos: Patti Hirahara
Hawaii Korean War veterans remain active through camaraderie and fellowship.
By Patti Hirahara, P.C. Contributor
Many Japanese American veterans who fought and served in the Korean War are slowly passing away, and their numbers are too small to continue to organize and gather for public functions on the mainland.
Their stories of bravery and courage are in the shadows of those who served during World War II, and many younger generations are unaware that many of these Nisei veterans were American citizens who were forcibly incarcerated in American concentration camps during WWII just as those that were part of the 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War on June 25, 1950, but for Japanese Americans who fought during that time, opportunities to be recognized are difficult since these veterans are in their 90s and live throughout the U.S.
According to Tommy Tahara, treasurer of the Korean War Veterans Assn. Hawaii Chapter No. 1, “It was estimated that over 15,000 Korean War veterans were residing here in the State of Hawaii, but there were no dedicated Korean War Veterans organizations nationally or locally that we could join upon our return from the ‘Forgotten War.’”
Returning veterans migrated into organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Hearts and others, but veterans of these organizations served in all wars.
It became evident that the generation gap did not provide the best fit for the camaraderie and fellowship of the Korean War veterans. This was followed later by new veterans organizations such as the 5th Regimental Combat Team Assn., the 45th Infantry Division Assn., the 1st Marine Division and part of the 7th Infantry Division called the “Chosin Few” and even informal organizations from the Korean revisit program beginning in 1989, some 36 years after the end of the Korean War.
Tahara also added “that the National Korean War Veterans Assn. started in New York City in 1985. Through the efforts of Mr. Louis Baldovi, a charter for a Hawaii unit was obtained in August of 1993 and became the 20th chapter in the nation.”
When Korean War veteran Nori Uyematsu (center) went to Hawaii last May and met with a few members of this group, no one knew who he was, but when they saw him in person, they were surprised it was Norio, the name he used when he enlisted. Due to this, the group invited him back, from the mainland, to join their Christmas party last December. Pictured (from left) are KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1 President Robert Imose, Uyematsu and Christmas Party Chairman and Chapter Treasurer Tommy Tahara.
When I went to Honolulu last May and met with a small group of gentlemen from the KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1, I was so surprised to hear that they still had an active group in Hawaii to this day and that they participated in many activities in conjunction with the local Korean Consulate.
The rebirth of Hawaii Chapter No. 1 took place on Jan. 26, 1996, to reconstruct and open membership to a broader base of Korean War veterans. Twenty-six charter members were present at the first meeting at the Maple Garden Restaurant in Honolulu, and Louis Baldovi was elected as the first president in 1996 and served a consecutive year in 1997.
Since 1996, Hawaii Chapter No. 1 became the flagship organization to further the national expansion of other chartered KWVA chapters on all the islands in Hawaii: the Big Island Chapter in Hilo, West Hawaii Chapter in Kona, the Maui No Ka Oi Chapter, the Kauai Chapter and Aloha Chapter in Honolulu.
“The KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1 has taken a leadership role in all the Korean War veterans events and has been recognized by the Korean community here in Honolulu as the key Korean War Veterans organization here in the state,” said Tahara.
As a war veterans organization, the pronounced objectives are 1) to honor the memory of its fallen heroes and 2) to maintain the camaraderie born on the battlefields and participate in memorial services on Veterans Day and Memorial Day at the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and at the state Veterans Cemetery at Kaneohe.
They also participate at sponsored ceremonies at Punchbowl for the commemoration of the start of the Korean War on June 25, as well as the Korean War Armistice on July 27 and the POW/MIA ceremony at Punchbowl.
The chapter initiates and participates in the annual Korean War Veterans reunion and provides a leadership role in the Korean revisit program, which has enabled hundreds of Hawaii Korean War Veterans to revisit South Korea.
KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1 new officers for 2026-2027. Pictured (from left) are President Robert Imose, VP Roy Yamashiroya, 2nd VP Walter Furuyama, Secretary Walter Ozawa, Treasurer Tommy Tahara and Sgt at Arms Clifford Chillingworth.
Photos: Patti Hirahara
The KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1 has also logged in several thousands of hours of volunteer maintenance work at the Korean and Vietnam Memorials at Hawaii’s state capitol.
After my meeting with the KWVA Hawaii Chapter with Japanese American Veterans Assn. member Norio Uyematsu in May, the group invited Uyematsu to join them again from California to attend its 2025 Christmas Luncheon and Installation of Officers on Dec. 13, 2025, at the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra in Honolulu. More than 200 people were in attendance at the popular event.
Last year, 18 of its members were in attendance out of 33. The chapter also has five honorary members. Chapter treasurer Tommy Tahara, who is turning 95, has chaired the Christmas event for 10 years and will once again host it in 2026.
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Honolulu Acting Consul General Joon Kim served as the 2025 KWVA Christmas Luncheon keynote speaker.
During the Christmas Luncheon, which was emceed by Secretary Walter Ozawa, the chapter installed its officers for 2026-27. The keynote speaker was Acting Consul General Joon Kim from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Honolulu, who said, “It is a great honor to join you today as we gather to close the year and pay tribute to the heroes who fought to defend freedom on the Korean Peninsula.
“Today carries a very personal meaning for me,” Kim continued. “My father was a Vietnam War veteran, and though he is no longer with us, the values he lived by continue to guide my life and my service.
“I often think about him on occasions like this. And as I stand before you today — honoring the courage of those who served before us — I believe he would be proud to see his son standing with you, thanking you for your sacrifice and continuing the mission of strengthening the bonds between our nations. In many ways, your stories remind me of his. And I feel a deep connection to each of you.”
“Hawaii’s role in that history is truly special. This state sent a remarkable number of young men to fight in Korea. Their bravery is deeply honored by the Korean people, who have never forgotten the sacrifice of Hawaii’s sons. The prosperity and freedom Koreans enjoy today are built on the foundation you laid,” Kim said.
In working with KWVA in Hawaii, on behalf of the Korean Consulate, Kim said, “It is truly an honor to work along with the Korean War veterans who have devoted themselves to our country and our people. The veterans in the Hawaii chapter are so energetic and warm-hearted individuals, and on behalf of the Republic of Korea, we would like to express our deepest respect and sincere gratitude for their service and are happy to continue our close cooperation with them.”
Said KWVA Hawaii Chapter No. 1 President Robert Imose: “We are so fortunate that the Korean Consulate works to take care of us and honor those that fought and served in the Korean War. It is a very important bond that we continue to share.”
