Vietnam War veteran from Hilo who died of COVID-19 to be honored | Event Link
Credit Courtesy of the Tomita family
Last year, 27 lives were claimed by a COVID-19 outbreak at the Yukio Okutsu State Veteran’s Home in Hilo. Among them was Melvin “Mike” Tomita, the sixth resident to die of the virus. Tomita s family remembers him as a generous cook, who loved talking story and playing music. The decorated Vietnam War veteran s story will be part of a National Day of Remembrance event tomorrow, honoring nursing home lives lost during this pandemic.
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Honolulu Civil Beat reporter Brittany Lyte
New York Times national editor shares her literary deep dive into America s immigration | Event Link
Credit Lorin Klaris/Zocalo Public Square
It was curiosity about her family’s immigration story that sent a woman on a journey to determine who she should thank. Jia Lynn Yang’s research into our country’s immigration laws prompted her to write a book titled One Mighty and Irresistible Tide: The Epic Struggle Over American Immigration, 1924 to 1965. It just won a Zócalo Book Prize and will be featured later this week in a virtual event. We got a chance to talk with her about the book and, in the process, learned of a local connection.
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Hawaii foster care system facing challenges
Hawaii’s foster care system is facing big challenges. Hale Kipa works with at-risk youth and their families on Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. The organization said they have seen a dramatic increase in the need for temporary foster services for families over the past year. Program coordinator Michelle Rocca and therapist Jason Redick spoke with us about the new needs of their 50-year-old foster program. Makana, who has gone through Hale Kipa’s transitional family homes, also joined the discussion.
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