A new documentary on a little known chapter in American history will be screened this afternoon in San Francisco, reports the SF Chronicle.
“The Untold Story: Internment of Japanese Americans in Hawaiʻi” talks about the experience of 2,000 people rounded up based on their ethnicity.
Much is known about the incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast, but fewer know the story of those in Hawaii. In fact, many wrongly believe that Japanese Americans on the Islands were not sent to camps.
“In total, over 2,000 men and women of Japanese ancestry were arrested, detained and interned at 13 different confinement sites located in Hawai‘i,” reads a description of the film. There was no evidence of espionage or sabotage and no charges were ever filed against them. This film chronicles their story through oral histories, documents, interviews, and reenactments.”
Among those detained were “Buddhist priests, Japanese language school officials, newspaper editors, business and community leaders.”
The free screening will be held today at 2 pm at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern Californiain San Francisco. Those planning to attend should RSVP by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (415) 567-5505.
