Performance on nisei soldiers adds second show at Hawaii Theatre

A second displaying of “Defining Braveness,” an “immersive” reside present and multimedia efficiency showcasing the tales of WWII nisei troopers, has been scheduled for April 23 after tickets for at this time’s efficiency on the Hawaii Theatre bought out.

The present combines reside narration and storytelling with new and historic movie footage, eyewitness interviews and orchestral and choir music because it depicts the experiences of nisei troopers within the one hundredth Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Fight Workforce and the Army Intelligence Service.

“The fantastic thing about the present is it’s not only a historical past lesson and it’s not only a bunch of outdated movie or photos of battlefields,” stated David Ono, host and co-producer of “Defining Braveness.” “That is meant to be an immersive expertise. We now have a number of issues to take a look at concurrently, some reside, some on display screen, nevertheless it’s all actually to advance journalism and to assist inform a narrative that folks don’t discuss sufficient about.”

Ono is a information anchor in Los Angeles who started studying about Japanese American historical past by his many reported items and interviews with nisei troopers over time. As a board member of L.A.’s Go for Broke academic middle, he usually emceed its yearly galas, and in 2019 was invited to attend because the keynote speaker.

He contemplated what he may inform his viewers that might be new and totally different, and hit on the concept of displaying them the present landscapes of the locations the place pertinent historic occasions happened. His presentation included fashionable footage mixed with outdated movie and interviews, which turned the framework for what was later expanded into “Defining Braveness.”

“We did quite a lot of analysis, and we’ve met historians from all around the world who helped put these items collectively,” Ono stated. “We take you to a number of locations in Italy, to Germany, Munich and Dachau. We take you to Okinawa, we take you to France and likewise numerous locations round america. So that you get to go to these locations, however then you definitely additionally see how they had been battlefields again then.”

For the reason that full present debuted in Los Angeles, there have been quite a few invites to convey the manufacturing to places by­out the nation, Ono stated. Nevertheless, since Hawaii was residence to many WWII nisei troopers, he stated it’s becoming that “Defining Braveness” begins its tour right here.

By way of a partnership with the Japanese American Nationwide Museum, the present’s Hawaii proceeds shall be used to create an academic curriculum for isle college students, Ono stated.

“What we realized from the nisei troopers and this chapter is not only about civil rights,” Ono stated. “We may additionally see the unimaginable braveness that these guys had. Insurmountable odds is what they confronted within the face of prejudice, they usually nonetheless rose up and achieved unimaginable feats.”

Among the featured reside musicians and singers on the Hawaii performances embrace Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning ukulele and guitar participant Kamuela Kahoano, Emi Sampson and Barrie Kealoha.

Tickets for the April 23 efficiency on the Hawaii Theatre are on sale at definingcourageshow.com.

Relying on the response, Ono stated there’s an opportunity a 3rd present shall be added.

“Ultimately we do need to convey it to different components of the nation and educate this to individuals who have by no means heard of those items,” Ono stated. “However the fantastic thing about Hawaii is that they have heard of it, they respect it they usually need to see it.”

Linsey Dower covers ethnic and cultural affairs and is a corps member of Report for America, a nationwide service group that locations journalists in native newsrooms to report on underneath coated points and communities.