Go For Broke

National Education Center

23rd Annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner

Thank you to all our guests, veterans, sponsors and supporters who attended the Go For Broke National Education Center’s (GFBNEC) 23rd Annual Evening of Aloha Gala Dinner this past Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in downtown Los Angeles! It was a magical evening celebrating the Go For Broke spirit and legacy of the American WWII soldiers of Japanese ancestry and their relevance to the contemporary issues of social justice, civil liberties, and democracy.

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. The program was recorded and will be aired on GFBNEC’s YouTube channel shortly.

Evening of Aloha is GFBNEC’s primary fundraiser, and the annual hallmark gathering where the community collectively pays tribute to the 33,000 Japanese American men and women who valiantly served during the war. David Ono, ABC7 News Anchor and member of GFBNEC’s Board of Directors, served as co-host along with Sierra Katow, the granddaughter of a WWII MIS veteran and host of GFBNEC’s video series “Living the Nisei Dream.”

The GFBNEC Torchbearers, Go For Broke Journalism students and community leaders presented their unique connection to the Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) veterans and their commitment to ensuring that the soldiers’ story is not just a great Japanese American story, but an important American story with significance and relevance to today.

“Our Evening of Aloha Gala is such a special opportunity for all of us to come together and celebrate our Nisei WWII veterans,” said Dr. Mitchell T. Maki, GFBNEC President & 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 program incorporated the unique traditions of the Gala that honor the Nisei veterans, including the Soldier’s Memorial Table and “In Memoriam” acknowledgments; on-stage Nisei veteran recognition; and the 5th Annual Living Nisei WWII Veteran Photo Tribute.

Another unique feature of this year’s Evening of Aloha was the dinner menu created and prepared by Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Founder & Owner of Roy’s Restaurants, and member of GFBNEC Board of Directors; The Westin Bonaventure Hotel’s Chef Andreas Nieto; and the dessert was prepared by King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant Innovation Pastry Chef Heather Campbell.

Pre-dinner entertainment was provided by Marlene Yamane Chau and Scott Nagatani, and featured performances include Grammy Award-winning musician, composer and producer Daniel Ho, Hālau Hula Keali’i o Nālani and Lead Actor of the Hamilton National Tour Cast, Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama.

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. Contributions made now through the end of the year will provide vital funds to support GFBNEC’s new educational initiatives, including expanded national outreach, enhanced online and social media presence and dynamic online programming to engage younger, more diverse audiences. To make a “Fund the Future” gift, visit goforbroke.org/fund-the-future/.

2024 Evening of Aloha Sponsors

EMERALD SPONSORS

Bill & Christy Seki and Dennis & Lorraine Kimura

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Nikki Kodama & Family

Sugimoto Family Foundation

In memory of Kazuo & Mary Yamane

GOLD SPONSORS

Haruo Hayashi Family

Pacific Global Investment Management Co.

Seki, Nishimura & Watase, PLC

Shinto Family Foundation

L. Scott & Susan Takahashi

SILVER SPONSORS

Doyle & Naomi Derr and Kenneth & Candace Watase

Fukui Mortuary, Inc.

Terry & Gayle Hara

Frank & Betty Hiji

Nancy Sagawa & Family

Hiro Watanabe Foundation

Roy Yamaguchi

Tokuji Yoshihashi Family

BRONZE SPONSORS

AMN Technologies, LLC

Derek & Polly Izumo

JA Health Insurance Services

Kato/Tani

Mahalo WWII Nisei Veterans

Mitchell Maki & Cayleen Nakamura

Yoshio C. Nakamura Family

Sakai Suzuki Family

David & Barbara Sato

Justin & Staci Toji

Watanabe, Winter, Kent and Look Families

Victor & Janis Wong and David & Irene Tanji

STEEL SPONSORS

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

Japanese American National Museum

Japanese American Veterans Association

Kinecta Federal Credit Union

Little Tokyo Service Center

DINNER FAVOR SPONSOR

FLORAL CENTERPIECE SPONSORS

Rosa Solis/Classics Flowers and Confections

Southern California Flower Market

Sponsors list as of 9.10.2024

Thank You to Our 2024 Auction Donors

Anaheim Ducks

Aquarium of the Pacific

Battleship Center – Battleship IOWA Museum

Benihana

Beringer Vineyards

Big Island Candies

Black Bear Diner

Boomers

Brent’s Deli, Inc.

The Broad

Bunkado, Inc.

Cherrystone’s

Chipotle

Classics Flowers Cafe Bakery

East West Players

Effie’s Homemade Biscuits

Emerald Isle Golf Course

Etude Wines

Fairplex

Far Bar

Green Street Restaurant

Golden Entertainment Properties in Laughlin, NV

Golf N’ Stuff

Harrah’s Resort Southern California

Haus of Portraiture

John & Leslie Hayashi

George Henning

Higo Sushi (Peruvian Fusion)

Hollywood Wax Museum

The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens

Terry Imagawa, DDS

In-N-Out Burger

Island Packers

Janet Ito

Kamiya Insurance Agency

Bruce & Janice Kato

King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant

La Mirada Theatre

Landry’s

Langer’s Delicatessen

Larsen’s Restaurants

Judi Masuda

Mikami Vineyards

Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, Desert Hot Springs

Morongo Casino, Resorts & Spa, an enterprise of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Tribal Government

George Nakano

The National WWII Museum

Natural History Museum

Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel and Richard Corgel

Pacific Battleship Center – Battleship IOWA Museum

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Pasadena Ice Skating Center

Peterson Automotive Museum

Rascals Teriyaki Grill

Roclord Studio

Lawson Sakai Family

Sue Sakai-McClure

Santa Barbara Zoo

Seki, Nishimura and Watase, PLC

Tak & Sharon Shimazaki

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen

Smoke House Restaurant, Inc.

South Coast Botanic Garden

South Coast Repertory

Spirit Cruises

Tamai Family Farms

Mary & Barbara Tamura

Tanaka Farms

Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa Resort

UCLA Athletics

Universal Studios Hollywood

Urban Air Adventure Park, Fullerton

Yancha by Shuko Akune

Yoga House

Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama

As of 9.12.2024

Thank You to Our 2024 Fund the Future Donors

In memory of Uncle Kenjiro Akune – Shuko Akune & Michael Pacelli

Anonymous

In honor of Yoshio Nakamura – Anonymous

In honor of Leighton Goro Sumida, 100th Infantry Battalion – Anonymous

In honor of Kenichi Tsumaki – Anonymous

In memory of Ralph Kaneshiro – Anonymous

In memory of Fred Matsumura – Anonymous

In honor of Mitsuo Yamane – Francois & Marlene Chau

Clayton Coleman

James De Santis

In honor of the MIS unit of WWII – Naomi Suenaka Derr & Doyle Derr

Richard Ferraro & Kimiko Iguchi-Ferraro

Kay & Mary Jane Fujimura

In memory of Cathy Tanaka  – Gerald Fukui & Kay Fukuda

Yuki Fukumoto

In memory of Haruo Hayashi – Leslie Furukawa & John H. Hayashi

Glenn Ginoza & Victoria Panem-Ginoza

John & Denise Girardi

Guillermo Gomez

In honor of Ralph Tomei – Chad Grossman & Leslie Tanaka

In honor of Yoshio Nakamura – Rudy & Susana Guerrero

Thomas & Doreen Hall

In honor of Yosh Nakamura – Dianne Hamano

Hozumi Hanada

Linda Hara & Victor Kato

Jennie, Art & Kylie Hasegawa

In memory of Haruo Hayashi – Allyson Hayashi

In memory of Jim Yamashita – Kenneth & Colleen Hayashi

Phyllis & Eugene Hayashibara

In memory of Uncle Don Miyada – Dana Heatherton

James E. Herr

Shirley A. Hibino

Bette Hiramatsu

In memory of Sgt. Matsutada Makishi, 100th Battalion – Daniel Ho & Lydia Miyashiro-Ho

Kelly & David Hokyo

Lola Hongo

In memory of Haruo Hayashi – Terri & Stan Ikeda

In memory of Kaoru Inouye – Marvin & Dona Inouye

Anthony & Jeannette Ishi

In memory of Hugo Kaji – Michael & Sky Ishii-Shields

In memory of Raymond S. Ishimatsu – Bruce L. Ishimatsu

In memory of Toshiaki Ito, 100th Battalion – Calvin Ito & Sharyn Yoshimi

Greg Iwamasa

Japangeles

In memory of Ray Nosaka – Annette Kabasawa & Clyde Sugimoto

Miyako Kadogawa

Frank & Judy Kam

Ronald & Alice Kaneshiro

Glenn Kawafuchi & Carolyn Motokane

In memory of Lloyd Seki & Tatsushi “Tommy” Kimura – Alexandra Kimura

In memory of Lloyd Seki & Tatsushi “Tommy” Kimura – Andie Kimura

In memory of Lloyd Seki & Tatsushi “Tommy” Kimura – Dennis & Lorraine Kimura

Ron & Evelyn Kita

In memory of Cathy Tanaka & Soichi Fukui – Christine Kohler

Carrie Lew

In honor of Toke Yoshihashi – Teri Lim

Edward Lin

Troy Maki, Lane Maki & Johann Vollrath

Janet & Michael Maloney

Jeffrey & Akiko Maloney

In honor of Hachiro Mayewaki – Gerald Mayewaki

Michael & Monica Maynez

Microsoft – Matching Gift

Richard & Ann Mikami

In memory of Shinso Miyashiro – Marla Miyashiro

In honor of Katayama & Mock Architects – William Mock

In memory of Isamu Ralph Kaneshiro – Faith & Alexander Moy

In memory of Mutsuo Hirose – Greg & Gay Mukai

In memory of Iseo Machigashira – Henry & Sanaye Nagami

Stephanie Nagami

Mark T. Nakagawa

Edward Y. Nakamura

In memory of Dr. Robert Masao Baba – Ann Baba Newman & Steve Newman

In honor of Kazuho Nishida – Katherine Nishida

Gilbert & Penny Nishimura

In memory of Hitoshi Sameshima – Nishimura & Maekawa Family

In memory of Haruo Hayashi – Julie & Forrest Nishioka

Michael & Margie Odanaka

In memory of Mas Takahashi & Yoshio Takahashi – Carrie & Mike Oi

Mark & Christine Okamoto

Jon & Angela Okino

Tom & Katie Parks

Edward Romano

Lloyd Rowe

In memory of Katsumi Thomas Kawaguchi – Nancy Sagawa & Family

In honor of John Taka – Danny Saito

Giichi & Nancy Sakurai

San Gabriel Nursery & Florist

In memory of Andrew Y. Sase, 442nd RCT, 3rd Battalion, L Co. & Hugo V. Sase – John & Susan Sase

David & Barbara Sato

James & Barbara Sato

In memory of Lloyd Seki – Bill, Christy & Kiana Seki

Susan N. Sekino

In memory of Chico Masai & Shiro Sera – Kelly Sera

Kenneth & June Shimabukuro

In memory of Henry Hayashi – Tak & Sharon Shimazaki

Wayne & Pauline Shimizu

Anne Shimojima

In memory of Richard U. Shinto – Vicki & Paul Shinto

Shiono Family & Let’s Talk Story

Randy Shiozaki & Family

Mami Sone

In memory of Ben Suechika – Joanne Suechika

In memory of Satory Sugimoto – George Sugimoto

In memory of James Murata – Lindsey Sugimoto & Charlie Yamamoto

Lisa A. Sugimoto & Donald R. Nose

Ray & Judy Sugimoto

In memory of Yoneto Nakata, MIS – John & Mary Sunada

Norman & Yoshie Tachiki

In memory of Robert R. Taira – Mark & Leatrice Taira

In memory of Masao Takahashi  – Lawrence & Susan Takahashi

In memory of Masa Hokama – Glenn & Noreen Tamanaha

Gail A. Tanaka

George & Shirley Tanaka

Janice Tanaka

Milton & Cheryl Tanaka

David & Irene Tanji

Ron & Clara Tanji

In memory of Hughes Tatara, 442nd RCT, 3rd Battalion – Taryn Tatara

Allen Terhune & Susan Miyake-Terhune

In honor of Kiyoto Nakai – Stephanie Tocci

Gary Tokumori

In memory of James Makoto Ogawa – Sharie Lynn E. Tom

Upper Crust Enterprises

Doug & Alice Urata

In honor of the Chikami Family – Michael P. Ward

In honor of Yosh Nakamura – Alyssa Watanabe & Nicole Look

Richard M. Watanabe

In memory of Richard Kingo Suenaka & James Horikoshi – Kenneth & Candace Watase

Edmund Wong

Kazuo Yakura

In memory of Kei Yamaguchi, 100th Battalion, A Co. – Paul Yamaguchi

In memory of Cathy Tanaka – Helen & David Yamahata

Ellen & David Yamakawa

Carole Yamakoshi

Lois Yamakoshi

Grace Yamamura

Lynne Yoon

In honor of Yoshio C. Nakamura – Norman & Patricia Yoshihara

Pauline Yoshihashi & Steven Padilla

In memory of Kiyoshi Yoshii, 442nd RCT, K Co. – Greg & Aili Yoshii

In memory of James Sunahara – Kristi & Troy Yoshino

As of 10.7.24.

Watch the 2023 22nd Annual Evening of Aloha Virtual Gala

About

Go For Broke National Education Center’s Evening of Aloha is our largest fundraising activity of the year and provides vital direct support of our historic preservation efforts, engaging programming and enhanced outreach to younger, more diverse audiences. Last year’s event recognized 63 Nisei veterans living across the nation and highlighted our work sharing the Go For Broke spirit and legacy of the Japanese American soldiers of WWII.

Together, we can honor their courage, patriotism and sacrifice at this celebratory hallmark annual event.

Fund the Future

Help us meet our 2024 fundraising goals with a gift that will benefit generations to come!   

Make a contribution to our annual year-end fundraising initiative to ensure that our vital work continues to preserve and evolve the story of the Nisei soldiers as an important American story. With your support, Go For Broke National Education Center will be able to inspire new audiences through the character and valor of the Nisei soldiers who fought for the freedoms and liberties for all Americans.

Their Legacy. Our Future. 

Ways to Support

Thanks to the generous support of our Evening of Aloha sponsors and supporters, we are able to continue its work to share the story of the Nisei WWII veterans. We invite you to be a part of this year’s hallmark celebration, and join us as we pay tribute to the 33,000 Japanese American men and women who fought for the freedoms and liberties of all Americans and for future generations.

  • Sponsorships – Evening of Aloha offers an array of unique benefits and promotional opportunities at every level. Note: Sponsor commitments and payments received by Friday, June 7 will be acknowledged in the Gala dinner invitation.

  • Digital Ad Sponsor  – Place a customized ad in honor/in memory of a veteran or other tribute messages. Digital ads received by Friday, August 30, will be featured in the Gala pre-show and during the event. 

  • “Fund the Future”– Make a gift to our annual year-end fundraising campaign initiative to ensure that the story of the Japanese American soldiers of WWII remains an important American story.

  • Individual Tickets – Join us in-person at Evening of Aloha and be a part of the live celebration to honor our Nisei WWII veterans.

For questions, email [email protected].

  • Sponsorships – Evening of Aloha offers an array of unique benefits and promotional opportunities at every level. Note: Sponsor commitments and payments received by Friday, June 7 will be acknowledged in the Gala dinner invitation.

  • Digital Ad Sponsor  – Place a customized ad in honor/in memory of a veteran or other tribute messages. Digital ads received by Friday, August 30, will be featured in the Gala pre-show and during the event. 

  • “Fund the Future”– Make a gift to our annual year-end fundraising campaign initiative to ensure that the story of the Japanese American soldiers of WWII remains an important American story.

  • Individual Tickets – Join us in-person at Evening of Aloha and be a part of the live celebration to honor our Nisei WWII veterans.

For more information about Table SponsorshipsDigital Ads and “Fund the Future” opportunities, please see our downloadable PDF form by clicking here. To make a payment online, click here or complete the PDF form download and return by mail to: Go For Broke National Education Center, 355 E 1st St. Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For questions, email [email protected].

Living Nisei WWII Veteran Photo Tribute

Yoshio “Yosh” Nakamura, 442nd Regimental Combat Team in 1943 (left) and 2019 (right)

One of the Evening of Aloha’s most treasured features is the in-person living veteran recognition on stage. The 2021 Evening of Aloha Virtual Gala of this special tribute featured 88 living Nisei WWII veterans from 90 to 104 years of age  from 10 states.

Email us at [email protected] to confirm participation in this year’s tribute. 

Watch the video and view the full list below of 2021 participants.

Thank You to Our Digital Tribute Ad Donors

Al, Pat, Gary, Paul Arakawa & Family

Friends and Family of Nisei Veterans

Neil Horikoshi

Ann Kabasawa

Randy Lowell

Chip & Lisa Mamiya

Ralph & Amy Matsumoto

Peggy Mizumoto

Ann Baba Newman

Quatrefoil Associates

Rascals Teriyaki Grill

Rising Stars Youth Leadership Program

Sakai/Ito Family

San Gabriel Nursery & Florist

David Sato

James and Barbara Sato

Mike & Ann Shima

Chad Shimozaki/North Torrance Optometry

Bev Shiroma

John & Mary Sunada

Scott & Susan Takahashi

Sandy Toshiyuki

Michael Yaguchi

Milo Yoshino

 

As of 12.02.22.

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