Debut of the Documentary Removed by Force: The Eviction of Hawaiʻi’s Japanese During WWII
In Removed by Force is a one-hour documentary which memorializes the unique and relatively unknown cases of about 1,500 Hawai’i AJAs who were not incarcerated, but forcibly removed from their homes during the war. These unique cases were separate and apart from the 2,000 Japanese Americans incarcerated the Sand Island and Honouliuli internment camps on Oahu. The film also focuses on the Honolulu JACL’s and NAPABA’s efforts in seeking redress compensation from the US Department of Justice.
The Honolulu JACL received a national grant from the US National Park Service Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program to produce the documentary, and is also supported by Hawaiian Electric Industries, Bank of Hawai’i, First Hawaiian Bank, and Island Insurance Companies.
Removed by Force: A Powerful Journey from Hawaiʻi to the Nation’s Capital, Uniting Communities Through Resilience and Storytelling
The In June of 2023, the documentary premiered at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center with a full house of about 430 attendees, including Governor Josh Green, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Governor Benjamin Cayetano, Governor John Waihee, other elected officials, judges, and other luminaries. Notably, several of those featured in the documentary and their families were in attendance. Throughout 2023, Removed by Force continued showing on ʻOahu including two more sold out events at the Convention Center. It traveled to Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauai for additional showings. PBS Hawaiʻi also aired the documentary virtually and it was accepted into the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival.
After finding success here at home, the film toured in California and Oregon and we anticipate it hitting the Nation’s Capital in 2025. Special thanks to Bill Kaneko, and Ryan Kawamoto for their tremendous leadership and effort on this project.
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YOU ARE INVITED
Attend A JACL Event
Join us for an important event hosted by the Honolulu Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League! We’re dedicated to protecting the civil and human rights of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, as well as all communities affected by injustice and bigotry. Your voice matters, and together, we can make a difference. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and advocate for equality. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Join The JACL
Join the Honolulu Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League and stand up for justice! Your support is crucial in our mission to advocate for equality and make a meaningful difference. Together, we can create a more inclusive society. Become a member today and be a part of this important work!