Honoring the Legacy of Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes Through Youth and Theatre
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 25
The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization (Club 100) is proud to announce a meaningful new partnership with Mānoa Valley Theatre to present Voices to Courage: Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes, a summer theater program dedicated to honoring the legacy of the 100th Infantry Battalion — the first segregated unit of Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) to serve in World War II.
Running June 15 through July 12, 2026, this innovative educational and artistic program invites middle and high school students to step into history through performance, storytelling, and civic engagement. Together, the Club 100 and Mānoa Valley Theatre aim to empower Hawaiʻi’s youth to engage deeply with themes of Belonging, Sacrifice, and Voice — the struggles and triumphs of the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the families who supported them.
Honoring the One Puka Puka Legacy
The 100th Infantry Battalion, whose service and training record helped pave the way for the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was uniquely called "One Puka Puka," giving a nod to its Hawaiʻi roots. In Hawaiian, “puka” means hole, symbolizing the zero in “100th.” Despite facing initial discrimination and uncertainty because of their Japanese ancestry, these courageous soldiers went on to become part of one of the most highly decorated units in United States military history.
Through this partnership, we continue our commitment to preserving the stories and values of our veterans while ensuring that future generations understand the resilience, courage, and loyalty demonstrated by the Hawaiʻi AJA soldiers of World War II.
Bringing WWII Stories to Life Through Youth Performance
Students participating in Voices to Courage will explore oral histories, first-person testimonials, and theatrical interpretation. By engaging directly with authentic stories, participants will examine timeless questions about courage, loyalty, and identity — issues that resonate as powerfully today as they did over 80 years ago.
Beyond performance, students will build valuable skills in historical research, dramatic storytelling, and civic engagement while connecting Hawaiʻi's past to contemporary issues of civil rights and social justice. Guided by theater professionals, veterans’ families and historians, the program will foster an intergenerational exchange that bridges Hawaiʻi’s WWII generation with the young leaders of today.
Public Performances and Community Connection
The program will culminate in two public performances on July 11 and 12, 2026, offering students the opportunity to share their work with the broader community. These performances will serve not only as a celebration of student achievement but also as a living tribute to the stories and sacrifices of Hawaiʻi’s World War II heroes.
As Mānoa Valley Theatre Artistic Director Rob Duval shared:
“Mānoa Valley Theatre is delighted to collaborate with the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization on this summer project. This program pays tribute to the legacy of Hawaiʻi’s World War II heroes while empowering the next generation to become storytellers and truth-keepers. By directly engaging with these compelling stories, our students will gain a deeper comprehension of the true essence of being an American.”
Honoring the 100th Through Partnership
We extend our sincere thanks to Mānoa Valley Theatre for this opportunity for students to explore the values and experiences of Hawaiʻi-born soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion through the power of artistic expression. This collaboration represents more than a program — it is a continuation of our "For Continuing Service" mission to preserve the history of the 100th Infantry Battalion, honor its legacy, and support our community by inspiring future generations. By empowering young people to learn, reflect, and perform, we hope to help ensure that the voices of Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes continue to resonate well into the future.
Club 100 is proud be a partner on Voices to Courage: Hawaiʻi’s One Puka Puka Heroes. We invite everyone to support this important initiative and to join us for the culminating performances this July at the Mānoa Valley Theatre. Together, through storytelling and shared remembrance, we carry forward the legacy of courage, unity, and service of the 100th Infantry Battalion.
▶︎ Call for Stories — "Voices to Courage: Hawai‘i’s One Puka Puka Heroes"
We are currently gathering stories with photographs and/or videos, and historical materials honoring Hawai‘i’s “One Puka Puka” Heroes — the soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion — for this 2026 Mānoa Valley Theatre summer youth theater workshop. Through this project, young artists will learn directly from real experiences, transforming powerful personal histories into meaningful performances that preserve the 100th/442nd's legacy and inspire future generations.
What We’re Looking For:
We warmly welcome submissions connected to the 100th Infantry Battalion that help illuminate the lives and experiences of these remarkable individuals, including:
Personal stories and memories
Photographs (wartime, homecoming, or family moments)
Videos and oral histories
Letters and historical documents
Please include one or two paragraphs explaining why you believe this individual’s story should be considered for the project. Links to additional information are welcome, but be sure to provide the basic details directly in your submission for the team to review.
📩 How to Submit:
Send submissions to:
Mariko Miho (mariko.miho@gmail.com)
Alan Suemori (suemori@iolani.org)
Suggested deadline: February 28
Mahalo for helping preserve the voices, memories, and legacy of Hawai‘i’s One Puka Puka Heroes. Your contributions will help educate and inspire the next generation.
▶︎ Call for Student Auditions — "Voices to Courage: Hawai‘i’s One Puka Puka Heroes"
Mānoa Valley Theatre is now accepting applications from motivated students entering grades 7–12 in Fall 2026 who are interested in history, performance, storytelling, and community engagement.
No prior theatre experience is required — only curiosity, commitment, and respect for the stories we will explore together.
📄 Applications Now Open:
Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2026 at midnight (HST)
Submit applications to: Rob Duval, Artistic Director (rob.duval@manoavalleytheatre.com)
Mr. Duval will contact applicants after submissions are received. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment at Mānoa Valley Theatre.
🎭 Program Details:
Program Dates: June 15 – July 12, 2026
Location: Mānoa Valley Theatre
Student Commitment: Students will meet at Mānoa Valley Theatre, Monday – Friday, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., starting June 15th (no meeting Friday, June 19th). The program culminates in two performances: Saturday, July 11th, at 7 p.m. (afternoon rehearsal that day from 1 - 5:30 p.m.) and Sunday, July 12th, 3 p.m. performance.
Program Cost: No application fee. The cost to participate in the program is $100. Financial aid is available if requested.
More Information: https://www.manoavalleytheatre.com/
Student Application Form:
Mahalo for supporting youth storytelling and the preservation of the 100th Infantry Battalion history through theatre.
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