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/.
Bill & Christy Seki and Dennis & Lorraine Kimura
Nikki Kodama & Family
Sugimoto Family Foundation
In memory of Kazuo & Mary Yamane
Haruo Hayashi Family
Pacific Global Investment Management Co.
Seki, Nishimura & Watase, PLC
Shinto Family Foundation
L. Scott & Susan Takahashi
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
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
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
Rosa Solis/Classics Flowers and Confections
Southern California Flower Market
Sponsors list as of 9.10.2024
Battleship Center – Battleship IOWA Museum
Bunkado, Inc.
Golden Entertainment Properties in Laughlin, NV
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
John & Leslie Hayashi
George Henning
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens
Terry Imagawa, DDS
Janet Ito
Bruce & Janice Kato
King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant
Judi Masuda
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, Desert Hot Springs
George Nakano
Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel and Richard Corgel
Pacific Battleship Center – Battleship IOWA Museum
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier
Lawson Sakai Family
Sue Sakai-McClure
Seki, Nishimura and Watase, PLC
Tak & Sharon Shimazaki
Mary & Barbara Tamura
Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa Resort
Urban Air Adventure Park, Fullerton
Yancha by Shuko Akune
Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama
As of 9.12.2024
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
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.
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.
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 Sponsorships, Digital 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].
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.
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.