$25,000 in JAVA Scholarships Awarded!  

Continuing the Legacy of World War II Nisei Military Service and Encouraging Future Military and Public Service

The Japanese American Veterans Association announced 13 winners of the annual scholarship award program for 2020.   Outstanding students from around the country applied for the scholarships.  The candidates for the JAVA scholarships were incredibly talented and accomplished; and all applicants would be worthy of receiving a JAVA scholarship to continue the legacy of the Nisei service to country, despite facing tremendous obstacles placed by their government.

The $5,000 memorial scholarship honoring the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service goes to T.J. Okamura, of Redmond Washington.  The grandson of George Okamura, 442nd RCT, T.J. is currently a U.S. Army Specialist in the Military Intelligence Corps. In the fall, T. J. will begin working on a Master's in International Studies with a focus on Japan at the University of Washington. He will also participate in the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps while concurrently enrolled at the University of Washington. In his essay, T. J. wrote, “It is one of my ultimate goals that whatever I do will give back to the community that shaped who I am. … (being the) recipient of the Daniel Inouye Memorial Scholarship would be an honor that I hope to carry forward for all Japanese Americans.”

The $3,000 Founder’s Scholarship named for JAVA’s founder, the late Colonel Phil Ishio, his wife Constance and their son Douglas Ishio, was awarded to Caitlin Emi Takeda, of Northridge, CA.  The granddaughter of Harry Arita, MIS, Caitlin just completed her senior year at Brown University and will begin her first year at Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School this fall. For her undergraduate senior thesis project, she made two summer pilgrimages to Heart Mountain where she documented and photographed Nisei she met.   In her application, Caitlin wrote, “[b]y the end of the two summers, I had taken the photo of over thirty Nisei. I compiled these photos into a photobook that I titled, Nisei. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that my grandfather’s generation made so that I could live a safe and happy life, and as a way to honor my grandfather’s legacy. I plan on giving a copy of the book to each of the internees who is featured. Giving back to the older Japanese American generations is something that I plan on doing for the rest of my life.”

The Kiyoko Tsuboi Taubkin Legacy Scholarship, a $2,000 award in honor of a longtime patron of JAVA was awarded to Rhian Kohashi O'Rourke, the granddaughter of Hiroshi Kohashi, 442nd RCT.  Rhian, a graduate of Wellesley College, was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Research Grantee in Amman, Jordan. She currently attends Johns Hopkins University and is pursuing an MBA and MA in Government. After she finishes her duel degree program, Rhian's goal is to do public healthcare research and advocacy. In her essay, Rhian shared, “[p]ursuing a graduate degree has reawakened my hope that I can create a better future for myself and positively contribute to society… Because my grandfather was a member of the 442nd, this scholarship holds special meaning for me. Despite his permanent disability from the war, my grandfather’s motto was ‘do the best you can.’”

The JAVA Memorial Scholarships, awarded to graduating high school seniors, each in the amount of $1,500:

Kiara Emi Kubota Stromberg, received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Dr. Americo Bugliani and his liberator, Paul Sakamoto, 442nd RCT. Kiara is the granddaughter of Yoshio Kubota, MIS, and is from San Jose, California. She will attend University of California, Los Angeles and plans to study Comparative Literature.

Chloe Elyse Hana Nelson received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship, in honor of Ranger Grant Jiro Hirabayashi, MIS. Chloe is the granddaughter of Takashi Torakawa, MIS, and is from Exeter, California. She will attend University of California, Los Angeles and plans to study Biology.

Sophia Daniel received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of COL Jimmie Kanaya, a three-war veteran - WWII, Korean and Vietnam. Sophia is the grand-niece of Isamu Hoshino, and is from Honolulu, HI. She will attend Kapiolani Community College and plans to study Environmental Science.

Kylie Reiko Ginoza received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of CWO 4 Mitsugi Murakami Kasai, MIS. Kylie is great-granddaughter of Iwao Takamori, 100th Bn/442nd RCT, and is from Wailuku, Hawai. She will attend University of Utah and is interested in Engineering and Biology.

Helena Kimiko Nukuto received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Sergeant Ben Kuroki, a gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 505th Bombardment Group. Helena is the granddaughter of Tadashi Nukuto, 100th Bn, C Company, and is from Canton, OH. She will attend University of Cincinnati and plans to study industrial design.

Camille Yuriko Tom received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Victor Matsui, MIS, and his wife Teru Matsui. Cami is the granddaughter of James Ogawa,100th Bn /442nd RCT and is from Gardena, California. She will attend Biola University and plans to study Communications Sciences and Disorders.

Dawson Hideo Gomez Tokishi received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of past JAVA President and Korean War veteran, Bob Nakamoto. Dawson is the great-grandson of Harold Okumura, MIS, and is from Kahului, Hawaii. He will attend Pacific University in Oregon and plans to study business.

Joseph Paul Nakasone received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Major Muneo Michael Okusa, MIS. Daniel is the grandson of Edwin Nakasone, MIS, and son of General Paul Nakasone. He will attend Dartmouth College and plans to study History.

Sarah Keiko Sakakihara received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Betty Shima, lifelong partner of 442nd RCT, Terry Shima. Sarah is grand-niece of Katsuyoshi Hamamoto, 442nd RCT, and is from Wailuku, Hawaii. She will attend California Polytechnic State University and plans to study Civil Engineering.

Grace Xiang Bost, received a JAVA Memorial Scholarship in honor of Major Orville Shirey, 442nd RCT, and his wife Maud Shirey. Grace is the granddaughter of Yukio Yokoe, 442nd RCT, and is from San Mateo, California. She will attend the University of California, San Diego and plans to study Psychology.

JAVA thanks the Scholarship Committee, Mrs. Chris DeRosa, Chair; Ms. Dawn Eilenberger, JD, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence; CDR Janelle Kuroda, JAGC, USN; CAPT (Dr) Cynthia Macri, MC, USN (Ret) and Mrs. Mary Murakami