Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Commends Proposal to Include Honouliuli Internment Camp in National Park System

Press Release

The National Park Service today announced a proposal to deem the area known as Honouliuli in West Oʻahu, where hundreds of mostly Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, as a National Historic Site or National Monument to reveal the stories and impacts of internment in Hawai"i in the 1940s.

"I commend the National Parks Service for their commitment to honoring the tens of thousands of Japanese Americans across the country and in Hawaiʻi who were taken from their families and placed in camps like Honouliuli during World War II under suspicion that they would not be loyal to the United States," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who represents the area of the proposed National Historic Site. "These innocent victims, many whose family members served in the historic 442nd Regimental Combat Team to protect and defend the U.S., deserve this recognition so that their stories can be told and future generations can learn about this deplorable juncture in America's past. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka, as well as the research and activism of dedicated volunteers from the Japanese Cultural Center, we have an opportunity to ensure that the history of Honouliuli Internment Camp will never be forgotten."

The National Park Service welcomes public comments by mail, e-mail, or entered directly into the NPS online public comment system through July 15, 2014. In addition, the NPS will host a series of public meetings throughout Hawai"i during May and June 2014 in order to present the draft study report, answer questions, and accept comments.

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