Shinyei Nakamine and 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Park Dedication in Waiʻanae

On April 23, 2026, members of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) joined Councilmember Andria Tupola, dignitaries, community leaders, friends and family in the renaming of the Waiʻanae District Park as the "Shinyei Nakamine and 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Park." The dedication ceremony was held at the park located at 85-601 Farrington Highway in Waiʻanae, Hawaiʻi.

The 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization deeply appreciates the recognition of the sacrifices made by Shinyei Nakamine (Co. B) and his “One Puka Puka” unit from Hawaiʻi (“puka” means hole in Hawaiian, symbolizing the zero in 100). 

This is the first known municipal park named in honor of the 100th Infantry Battalion.

Some of the attendees at the Shinyei Nakamine and 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Park ceremony. (Photo courtesy: Clyde Sugimoto [nephew of Nolan Miyazaki (Co. B)])

In this year marking the 250th anniversary of America, it is fitting to remember that loyal Americans come in all colors. The 100th Infantry Battalion led to the formation of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT), and together they would become one of the most decorated units in U.S. military history.

On June 4, 2025, Councilwoman Andrea Tupola secured approval of Resolution 25-149, FD1, to rename the park. The resolution states in part:

Commemorative Certificate honoring Private Shinyei Nakamine, Medal of Honor Recipient and Hero of Waiʻanae (Photo courtesy: Kimie Korenaga-Kepoʻo [grandniece of Shinyei Nakamine (Co. B)])

“WHEREAS, Shinyei Nakamine was born and raised in Waiʻanae and exemplified extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving in the United States Army during World War Il, ultimately sacrificing his life in battle on June 2, 1944, near La Torreto, Italy; and 

WHEREAS, Private Nakamine posthumously received the Medal of Honor from the United States Armed Forces for his courage, which included eliminating multiple enemy positions and capturing several enemy soldiers while leading his platoon under heavy machine gunfire; and 

WHEREAS, the 100th Infantry Battalion, known as the “Purple Heart Battalion,” was a segregated unit of second-generation Japanese Americans who served with unparalleled distinction despite facing racial discrimination and whose legacy reflects the triumph of patriotism over prejudice; and 

WHEREAS, renaming the Waiʻanae District Park after Shinyei Nakamine and the 100th Infantry Battalion would create a lasting tribute to both a local hero and a historic military unit that embodied sacrifice, loyalty, and courage; and 

WHEREAS, the renaming would also provide educational opportunities for visitors and foster a sense of pride within the Waiʻanae community by honoring one of the community’s own members who displayed the highest ideals of service...” 

Club 100 provided testimony in support of Resolution 25-149, FD1, and is proud that the park was named in honor of Shinyei Nakamine, a courageous Medal of Honor recipient from Waiʻanae who served with the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) before the 442nd RCT landed in Europe. We extend our sincere mahalo to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the Honolulu City Council, Councilmember Andria Tupola, the Nakamine ʻohana, and all those involved in naming Waiʻanae District Park the Shinyei Nakamine and 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Park.

Shinyei’s sister, Anita Korenaga, along with her granddaughter Kimie Korenaga-Kepoʻo and great-granddaughter Anela, attended the ceremony.

Shinyei Nakamine's sister, Anita Korenaga, and her great-granddaughter at the ceremony. (Photo courtesy: Kimie Korenaga-Kepoʻo)

Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans organization turned out in full force to support the event, alongside employees of the City and County of Honolulu. Club 100 also contributed pastries for the many attendees.

Club 100 First Vice President Avin Oshiro [son of Seie Oshiro (Co. A)] represented the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans at the ceremony and delivered remarks. He stated, in part:

"My father, Seie Oshiro, and Shinyei Nakamine were part of the multiethnic Hawaii National Guard. Their job was to protect the shorelines of the Territory of Hawaii from possible enemy invasion. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, the soldiers of Japanese ancestry were looked at with distrust and unjustly accused of sabotage just because they looked like the enemy. They were pulled out of the Hawaii National Guard and segregated into a unit called the 100th Infantry Battalion (Separate) and shipped off in secrecy. They didn’t have a chance to say goodbye to their families. There were 1,432 men in the 100th and they were considered part of the U.S. Army – while other Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJAs) were labelled as “enemy alien.”

120,000 of Japanese ethnicity on the mainland were incarcerated. Nearly 160,000 of Japanese ethnicity in Hawaii were under martial law. The 1,432 men – only 0.5% of the affected population – would take a stand proving without a doubt that loyal Americans come in all colors. The “One Puka Puka” would lead the way to social change with their blood. They were known as The Purple Heart Battalion due to the number killed or wounded.

Shinyei and the 100th were the first AJA unit to fight in Europe. Their training record, followed by their combat achievements, opened the doors for the larger 442nd RCT. Together, the 100th and 442nd would become one of the most decorated in U.S. military history.

Condolences to Mrs. Anita Korenaga and her family. We know the pain of losing a brother. Club 100 thanks Mrs. Korenaga for allowing us to display Shinyei’s Medal of Honor at our 100th Infantry Battalion Memorial Building and his profile and photos on our educational website https://www.100thbattalion.org/ so we always remember the sacrifices Shinyei and the 100th made for our freedom, to fight tyranny and to achieve equal rights for people of color.

On behalf of Club 100, thank you for remembering our Hawaii heroes like Shinyei and the 100th Infantry Battalion."

Following the ceremony, Oshiro reflected, "It was an honor to represent the Club and one of our distinguished members at a such a great event. It reminds us of why we serve in the roles we do in Club 100."

The event was well planned and organized by the Office of Andria Tupola and we extend a special thanks to her and her staff. They were especially gracious in their display of aloha to us upon our arrival. Shinyei’s Medal of Honor was transported from the Clubhouse to the park and was proudly on display during the ceremony. 

Shinyei Nakamine's sister, Anita Korenaga (seated), is joined by her granddaughter, Kimie and great-granddaughter, as well as Avin Oshiro (Club 100), Councilmember Andria Tupola, and community supporters at the ceremony. (Photo courtesy: Clyde Sugimoto)

Club 100 thanks the community for honoring the 100th — the Hawaiʻi-born vanguard composed of the first Americans of Japanese ancestry (AJA) with “boots on the ground” in European combat and the first AJA unit to receive a Presidential Unit Citation. I think the 100th spirits are so proud that descendants, the local community, and those around the world are pausing to remember and honor the many sacrifices they made for us.

▶︎ Visit our 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans (Club 100) Education Center for more on Shinyei Nakamine

▶︎ Wai’anae District Park renamed in honor of Shinyei Nakamine and 100th Infantry Battalion (City and County of Honolulu)

----- This article has been reprised from the March 2026 and May 2026 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans "Puka Puka Parade" articles, written by Kathi Hayashi [daughter of Tokuichi Hayashi (Co. A)] and Avin Oshiro. 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.