Paul Yempuku Interview Segment 8

Significance of name (ddr-densho-1000-247-1) - 00:04:20
Family background: both parents descended from Buddhist priests (ddr-densho-1000-247-2) - 00:04:00
Father's work as a Buddhist priest in Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-247-3) - 00:04:36
Childhood memories of growing up in the small town of Kahuku, Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-247-4) - 00:05:00
Going to Japan with family at age six (ddr-densho-1000-247-5) - 00:03:54
Growing up on a small island, adjusting to language differences (ddr-densho-1000-247-6) - 00:03:30
Dealing with food shortages as a child (ddr-densho-1000-247-7) - 00:02:05
Being told about the start of World War II (ddr-densho-1000-247-8) - 00:03:13
Working on the Kure Naval Base to help the war effort (ddr-densho-1000-247-9) - 00:03:36
Food shortages during the war (ddr-densho-1000-247-10) - 00:03:43
Hiding in air raid shelters during bombings (ddr-densho-1000-247-11) - 00:07:15
Believing that Japan was going to win the war (ddr-densho-1000-247-12) - 00:04:03
Taking exams, enrolling in college during the war (ddr-densho-1000-247-13) - 00:05:31
The impact of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (ddr-densho-1000-247-14) - 00:02:14
Hearing about the end of the war, trying to return home (ddr-densho-1000-247-15) - 00:05:13
Seeing Hiroshima a few weeks after the atomic bombing (ddr-densho-1000-247-16) - 00:06:38
Returning home and working as a fisherman (ddr-densho-1000-247-17) - 00:05:22
Deciding to go back to college (ddr-densho-1000-247-18) - 00:01:50
Receiving a visit by older brother, an American GI (ddr-densho-1000-247-19) - 00:07:57
Relationship with older brother who had stayed in Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-247-20) - 00:04:12
Graduating from college, returning to Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-247-21) - 00:03:21
Finding work upon first returning to Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-247-22) - 00:04:21
Working various jobs in Hawaii (ddr-densho-1000-247-23) - 00:02:51
Meeting future wife, getting married (ddr-densho-1000-247-24) - 00:02:28
Working for the Hawaii Hochi (ddr-densho-1000-247-25) - 00:06:02
Reflections: president of the Hawaii Hochi (ddr-densho-1000-247-26) - 00:08:23
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ddr-densho-1000-247-8 (Legacy UID: denshovh-ypaul-01-0008)

Being told about the start of World War II

00:03:13 — Segment 8 of 26

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June 4, 2009

Densho Visual History Collection

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

ddr-densho-1000-247

Paul Yempuku

Paul Yempuku Interview

01:55:38 — 26 segments

June 4, 2009

Honolulu, Hawaii

Kibei male. Born January 5, 1927, in Kahuku, Hawaii. Moved to Japan with family at age six, and attended school in Japan. Worked in a naval base in Japan during World War II, taking part in air raids and bombings by U.S. forces. Attended college in Japan before returning to Hawaii after the war. Worked for the Hawaii Hochi newspaper for almost fifty years.

Tom Ikeda, interviewer; Dana Hoshide, videographer

Densho

Courtesy of Densho

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