Go For Broke National Education Center (GFBNEC) held their 23rd annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner on Sept. 14 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in Downtown Los Angeles.
This celebratory event honored the Go For Broke spirit and legacy of the American World War II soldiers of Japanese ancestry and their relevance to the contemporary issues of social justice, civil liberties, and democracy.
Evening of Aloha is GFBNEC’s primary fundraiser, and the annual hallmark gathering where the community collectively pays tribute to the more than 33,000 Japanese American men and women who valiantly served during the war. The theme of this year’s gala, “Living the Nisei Veterans’ Dream,” recognized their fight to ensure that all Americans and future generations have the freedoms and liberties to pursue their dreams and passions.
“Our Evening of Aloha Gala is such a special opportunity for all of us to come together and celebrate our Nisei World War II veterans,” said Dr. Mitchell T. Maki, GFBNEC president and CEO. “This year, we were excited to gather over 500 guests, including five Nisei veterans, descendants and our dedicated supporters. With the generous contributions from our gala, we can continue to creatively evolve our work to preserve and share their core story of courage, patriotism, and sacrifice.”
The evening included updates on GFBNEC’s new building project, The Go For Broke Plaza and First Street North Residences, the impact of the GFBNEC traveling exhibit, “Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience,” at the Idaho State Museum in Boise, Idaho and their robust Next Gen programs, including The National Torchbearers and the Go For Broke Journalism Institute. The program was recorded and will be aired on GFBNEC’s YouTube channel shortly.
The annual “Fund the Future” campaign, launched at the gala each year, supports GFBNEC’s dynamic educational programming and outreach during these challenging economic times. To make a “Fund the Future” gift, visit goforbroke.org/fund-the-future/.
The 2024 Evening of Aloha Gala major sponsors included:
Emerald Sponsors – MUFG Bank, Ltd., Bill and Christy Seki/Dennis and Lorraine Kimura and U.S. Bank
Platinum Sponsors – King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant, Nikki Kodama and family, The Pacific Bridge Companies, Sugimoto Family Foundation and Joyce Yamane and Stephen Waite, in memory of Kazuo and Mary Yamane
Gold Sponsors – Haruo Hayashi family, Pacific Global Investment Management Co., Seki, Nishimura & Watase, PLC, Shinto Family Foundation and L. Scott and Susan Takahashi
Silver Sponsors – Doyle and Naomi Derr and Kenneth and Candace Watase, Fukui Mortuary, Inc., Terry and Gayle Hara, Frank and Betty Hiji, Nancy Sagawa and family, Hiro Watanabe Foundation, Roy Yamaguchi and Tokuji Yoshihashi family.
Among the evening’s honorees was former Cadet Nurse Corps member Mary Tamura, escorted by Barbara Tamura, SPC Stephanie Aguilar and George Tanaka. At right, Staff Sergeant James Fetherston, Pauline Yoshihashi, Tokuji “Toke” Yoshihashi (100th/442nd RCT) and Stephen Kagawa. Below, Edward Nakamura (MIS) is escorted by Sgt. Leylyn McArthur.