Cafe 100 Unveils Tribute Honoring Founder and 100th Infantry Battalion In Hilo

Cafe 100, in Hilo, Hawaii, hosted a special unveiling ceremony on Monday, April 13, 2026, dedicating new storyboards and a commemorative banner that honor the restaurant’s namesake, the 100th Infantry Battalion, and its founder, Richard Seiji Miyashiro (Co. B), a decorated combat veteran of the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate).

Some of the family and friends of Cafe 100 at the April 13 dedication. (Photo courtesy: Andrew Richard Hara [grandson of Richard Miyashiro (Co. B)])

The ceremony, held at 10:30 a.m. at the longtime Hilo establishment, brought together community leaders, veterans and family members to celebrate the legacy of the Nisei "One Puka Puka" and “Go for Broke” soldiers of World War II and Miyashiro’s enduring contributions to Hawaii.

Sponsors of the event included the Rotary Clubs of Pearl Harbor, Hickam Pearl Harbor and Hilo, along with the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100), Journey to Peace Hawaii and the West Point Association of Hawaii.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steve Dyer of the Pearl Harbor Rotary Club served as emcee. Speakers included Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Kenneth Hara, former adjutant general of the Hawaii National Guard; Nancy Cabral, Rotary district governor for Hawaii; and Kathi Hayashi [daughter of Tokuichi Hayashi (A)], president of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization.

Miyashiro’s daughter, Gloria Kobayashi, and granddaughter, Mari Kobayashi Leung, current owner of Cafe 100, shared reflections and expressed gratitude for the tribute.

[Left Photo] LTC (Ret) Steve Dyer, Pearl Harbor Rotary Club and Journey to Peace member, providing comments as the emcee, while Maj. Gen. (Ret) Kenneth Hara looks on. [Right Photo] Gloria Kobayashi making heartfelt comments about her father, Richard Miyashiro (Co. B), with her daughter Mari Kobayashi Leung looking on. (Photos courtesy: Andrew Richard Hara)

The project began several months ago when Dyer, a Honolulu attorney, visited Cafe 100 while in Hilo and noticed that the existing display about Miyashiro and the battalion had faded over time and was difficult to read. Wanting to ensure the story was preserved and more prominently shared, Dyer collaborated with fellow Rotarian Col. (Ret.) Chris Moylan to develop updated historical storyboards.

[Left Photo] Aaron Miyasato and Gregg Miyashiro, who created and donated the banner. (Photo courtesy: Kathi Hayashi) [Center and Right Photos] Major General (Ret) Kenneth Hara former Adjutant General, Hawaii National Guard; and Nancy Cabral, member of the Rotary Club of Hilo and current Hawaii District Governor, speak at the ceremony. (Photos courtesy: Susan Moylan)

Moylan worked with Hayashi and the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization, which helped connect the team with the Miyashiro family. With the family’s support, two storyboards were created — one detailing Miyashiro’s military service and another outlining the history of the 100th Infantry Battalion. A commemorative banner featuring images of Miyashiro and the storyboards was also produced with assistance by Hilo residents Aaron Miyasato and Gregg Miyashiro. 

A Hilo native, Miyashiro served in Italy during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service. After returning home, he opened the first Cafe 100 in 1946. The restaurant became a gathering place for fellow veterans, offering both meals and a sense of community in the years following the war.

Cafe 100 also played a role in popularizing the local dish loco moco, which Miyashiro served to soldiers seeking comfort and familiarity.

Granddaughter of Richard Miyashiro and current Cafe 100 owner, Mari Kobayashi Leung, watches as fellow Club 100 members and 100th descendants Allen Kamemoto [son of Kazuo Kamemoto (A)] and MaryAnn Tanabe [daughter of Harry Katahara (B)] unveil her grandfather’s storyboard. (Photos courtesy: Andrew Richard Hara)

The business endured significant hardship when tsunamis in 1946 and 1960 destroyed its early locations. Miyashiro rebuilt each time, and in 1962 opened the current Cafe 100, which continues to operate today.

The unveiling coincides with the 80th anniversary of Cafe 100’s founding, adding further significance to the tribute.

Richard Miyashiro’s grandchildren, Mari and Andrew, are joined by Kathi (center). (Photo courtesy: Andrew Richard Hara)

Family members said the recognition comes at a meaningful time. Leung noted that her young son had recently expressed interest in creating a display to honor his great-grandfather, making the unveiling feel especially timely. The family also reflected on recent challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing Cafe 100’s legacy and honoring the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion.

▶︎ Visit our 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) Education Center for more on Richard S. Miyashiro ----- This article has been reprised from the May 2026 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans "Puka Puka Parade" article, written by LTC Stephen Dyer (Ret). Back issues of the Puka Puka Parade can be viewed online, courtesy of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa eVols digitial repository — the most recent issues available to the public can be viewed here: https://hdl.handle.net/10524/86866. For more about the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans Puka Puka Parade, please visit https://www.100thibv.org/post/puka-puka-parade-newsletter.