In Memory of Rick Nakata

Richard Douglas Nakata died on October 16, 2023 from complications from liver cancer at St. Michael’s Hospital. He was 70 years old and lived on Bainbridge Island for the majority of his life. He was born on April 4, 1953 at Doctor’s Hospital in Seattle to Gerald and Sueko Nakata.

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MIS Veteran Photo Tribute

In Conjunction with the 10 Year Anniversary, the National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS) is Launching a National Campaign to Honor Nisei Veterans of the Military Intelligence Service OCTOBER 1, 2023 DEADLINE MIS Families are urged to submit photos of their veterans to help fill a missing chapter in WWII

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In Memory of Jonathan Kodama

It is with great sadness that the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community says ‘goodbye’ to Jonathan “Jon” Mark Kodama. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his mother, Lilly Kodama, and the rest of the Kodama family.   ~BIJAC On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Jonathan ‘Jon’ Mark Kodama passed away at home

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In Memory of Yoshimitsu Suyematsu

Yosh Suyematsu of Ontario, OR passed away peacefully on March 14, 2023. Please join the Suyematsu family in remembrance and honor of his 95 years of life.

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Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Awarded to BIJAEMA

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association (BIJAEMA) is one step closer to making the final phase of the Exclusion Memorial a reality. BIJAEMA was recently awarded a $613K National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites (JACS) grant to fund the construction of the new Visitor Center. Design of

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In Memory of Peg Chapman

To BIJAC friends, We are deeply saddened to announce the May 21 passing of Peg Chapman, founding office manager of Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School from 1999-2015. Peg played an enormous part in establishing the warm & welcoming school climate at Sakai. She was proud of our connection to the Bainbridge

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Tune in to the New “beyond generations” Podcast

Podcast "beyond generations" focuses on the Japanese American Incarceration during WWII. This four-episode podcast mini-series is produced and hosted by Monica, an international student from Japan living in Seattle. Her goal is to educate people about the incarceration and motivate them to take action so that it will never happen again.

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Representative Kilmer Seeks Progress Report on NPS Appropriations

The future of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial rests, in part, with the fortunes of its partnership with the National Park Service and its funding through the U.S. Department of the Interior. In addition to benefiting from the NPS’ technical expertise in the development of educational and interpretive

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Forced to live in horse stalls. How one of America’s worst injustices played out at Santa Anita.

The Los Angeles Times recently featured this front page article recounting the experience of the Japanese Americans who were first relocated to the horse stables of Santa Anita Park on April 29th, 1942, prior to being moved to their final incarceration site at Heart Mountain, WY. From Santa Anita in

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Watch “A Matter of Loyalty” at BIMA

For those of you who were not able to attend in person, you may now view “A Matter of Loyalty” here. 2022 Washington State Book Award winner in poetry, Sharon Hashimoto, is joined by Bainbridge Islanders Lilly Kodama and Clarence Moriwaki to examine ideas of citizenship, civic engagement, and the

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