"One Puka Puka Leads the Way" Song — in honor of the 100th Infantry Battalion
- 100thibvohana
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) recently received a musical rendition honoring the 100th Infantry Battalion in a song titled, “One Puka Puka Leads the Way.” It was such an extreme honor to receive this gift from the President of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) in Washington, DC, Howard High! Howard reviewed the lyrics with 100th IBV Communications Committee member Isami Yoshihara for accuracy. Thank you, Howard, for allowing us to use this masterpiece for our educational endeavors.
Please click on the video below for the song, and have your tissue ready — we incorporated photos from our Education Center and Club 100 archives of our 100th Infantry Battalion soldiers, who locked arms against tyranny on the journey described in Howard’s lyrics.
“One Puka Puka Leads the Way” — in honor of the 100th Infantry Battalion
Song Created by: Howard High, President of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA)
From island homes of sugar cane,
Where trade winds sang and skies would rain,
They answered duty's solemn call,
Though doubts and fear surrounded all.
Born of "Issei" dreams and "Nisei" pride,
They stood as warriors side by side,
With "Gaman" in their hearts of flame,
They'd forge a legacy and name.
One Puka Puka leads the way,
From Hawaiʻi Nei to war's dark day.
For the Red, White, and Blue they'd fight,
Proving loyalty in freedom's light.
Remember Pearl Harbor, they made their stand,
With courage carved in every land.
One Puka Puka, brave and true,
Fighting for me, fighting for you.
Their hearts were heavy, filled with honor,
In secret sailed across the water.
From Camp McCoy to Shelby's dirt,
They trained with grit through sweat and hurt.
Their letters home, in quiet prose,
Spoke honor that the "Issei" chose:
"Ganbare," fight for your good name,
Bring honor, never bring us shame.
In Italy's hills they paid the price,
Purple Hearts for sacrifice.
They bled where others held their doubt,
But valor left no room for doubt.
They charged through fire, they cleared the way,
Their silence louder than what words say.
Each fallen soul, a torch alight,
a guide for those who still must fight.
One Puka Puka leads the way,
From Hawaiʻi Nei to war's dark day.
For the Red, White, and Blue they'd fight,
Proving loyalty in freedom's light.
Remember Pearl Harbor, they made their stand,
With courage carved in every land.
One Puka Puka, proud and free,
They changed the course of history.
They came back home to rise once more,
To open wide democracy's door.
In Senate halls and island schools,
They lived by "Gaman," broke the rules.
Their march lives on, their truth remains,
In every fight for justice gained.
So let their song rise high and bold —
One Puka Puka, brave and gold.
One Puka Puka leads the way,
Through shadows dark to brighter day.
Their legacy will never fade,
In every step that freedom's made.
Remember Pearl Harbor, they made their stand,
With courage carved in every land.
One Puka Puka, brave and true,
Fighting for me, fighting for you.
Thank you, Howard, for sharing your love and respect for the 100th in such a precious way.